The mikvah stands as a time-honored, essential institution of living a life of Torah uMitzvot. Immersing in a mikvah restores one to Taharah and affirms and celebrates life. Jewish women immerse in a mikvah in order for wife and husband to reunite after a period of halakhically mandated separation. Some men regularly immerse on erev Shabbat and erev Chag in order to enter into holy days with an elevated sense of purity. For all men, there is a a strong custom for men to go to the Mikvah before Yom Kippur (Sh”A O”H 606:4), to fulfill that which is written: “lifeni Hashem titharu – purify yourself before God.”

Additionally, in accordance with the halakhah, we immerse many of our kitchen vessels and utensils in a Mikvah before use. Just as we make berakhot on food elevating the act of eating from a physiological necessity to a sacred deed, so too we transform our kitchen’s into venue of Jewish spirituality through Tevilat Keilim – the immersion of vessels. For an overview of the laws of Tevilat Keilim, please see a two-part article from Rabbi Howard Jachter entitled, “Tevilat Keilim.”

There are many complex laws, customs and technical challenges that undergird the construction and maintenance of a halakhic Mikvah. For more information on this topic, please see a five-part article by Rabbi Howard Jachter entitled, “The Building and Maintenance of Mikvaot.”

Please find below a list of Massachusetts Mikvaot which meet our community’s halakhic standards and are under ongoing rabbinical supervision.

Newton:
Lamentably, at present, we do not have a Mikvah in Newton that meets our community’s halakhic standards. If you are interested in helping fund and/or organize a Newton Mikvah, please contact Rabbi Samuels. Such an institution is a major desideratum for our community and will need to be at the forefront of the agenda for our shared Newton Orthodox community.

Brighton:
The Daughters of Israel Mikvah
Located at 101 Washington Street (between Commonwealth Avenue and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, next to Congregation Kadimah-Toras Moshe), this recently rennovated mikvah is under the supervision of the Bostoner Rebbe. It is open every night of the year with the exception of Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur nights. It offers two mikvaot and four preparation rooms, each equipped with everything needed to prepare for immersion, as well as towels and bathrobes.

The mikvah's answering machine, at (617) 782-9433, lists the hours of operation each week; please make an appointment, preferably the day before you plan to visit, by leaving your name and telephone number. Women are taken on a first come basis during the hours indicated on the machine. For special circumstances, you should try to call a few days in advance. The mikvah attendants will try to accommodate your needs.
There is a Tevialt Keilim mikvah on the premises, which is open to the public almost every Sunday morning, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is advisable to call the machine before you come to make sure that the mikvah is open. You do not have to make an appointment in advance.

Brookline:
The Young Israel of Brookline
A Tevilat Keilim is available at the Young Israel of Brookline, 62 Green Street,
Brookline, MA 02446. Call for available hours at (617) 734-0276.

Lynn:
Mikvah Bnot Yisroel - Congregation Ahabat Sholom
151 Ocean St.
Lynn, MA 09102
(617) 595-0080 (Mikvah) or 593-9255 (Shul)
or 599-7495 (Private)

Sharon:
Chevrat Nashim - Mikvah Organization of the South Shore
9 Dunbar St.
Sharon, MA 02067
(617) 784-7444

All of the above Mikvaot are side by side Mikvaot, the standard Ashkenazic and Sephardic manner of building Mikvaot. Below, please find a listing of Lubavitch sponsored Mikvaot which are of the Bor al Gabei Bor construction. Please see the above cited article by Rabbi Jachter for greater elaboration. For more information on Lubavitch Mikvaot, click here..

Amherst:
Chabad House Mikvah
30 N Hadley Road
Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 549-4094

Brighton:
Lubavitch Mikvah
239 Chestnut Hill Ave.
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 782-8340, 562-0141, 254-8240 (Private)

Lexington:
Mikvah Chaya Mushka, Chabad of Lexington
9 Burlington St.
Lexington, MA 02173
(617) 787-2667 or 862-6626

Longmeadow:
Mikvah Israel
1104 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
(413) 567-1607 or 736-1009 (Private)

Natick:
Mei Menachem Western Well Mikvah
159 Boden Lane
Natick, MA 01760
(508) 647-4855/(508) 651-9778

Worcester:
Worcester Mikvah
4 Huntley St.
Worcester, MA 01602
(508) 756-6483 (Private) or 752-7749 (Private)