Ritual immersion in a mikveh — a gathering of living water (mayim hayim) — marks a change in status. People immerse at Libi Eir (Awakened Heart) to celebrate moments of joy, to heal after times of sorrow or illness, or to commemorate transitions and changes. Today, there are only a few cases where immersion is still designated as a mitzvah, or an act required by Jewish law: for converts to Judaism, for brides, and for women observing niddah, the practice of immersing monthly following menstruation. Mikveh has also been used for other purposes throughout Jewish history: for example, by men prior to Shabbat and the holidays, by women in the ninth month of pregnancy. At Libi Eir, people are welcome to immerse to commemorate a wide variety of transitions and occasions: prior to reading Torah for the first time, before or after surgery, on the occasion of being ordained a rabbi, or becoming a grandparent, or reaching the age of 40, or 50, or 85. This beautiful video explains the basics of mikveh practice.
