The Mikvah of Chabad Lubavitch Dominican Republic
What Makes This Mikvah Unique?
The design of the first Mikvah in Santo Domingo is inspired by Jewish history and traditions and was constructed strictly according to Rabbinical laws (Halachot). Throughout every stage of the construction, there were frequent consultations with expert rabbinical authorities on the relevant laws (Dinim) as well as with local engineers. Its formal design optimizes space, combining comfort, functionality, and beauty through a complex variety of materials and textures.
The architectural references that inspired and gave meaning to the different parts of this design are drawn from the Temple of King Solomon, reflected in the arches and the use of cubic geometry, which even influenced the selection of the wall fixtures. Another inspiration was the Kotel (Western Wall), evoked in the walls of the corner where the Mikvah itself is located, clad in Dominican coral stone, resembling Jerusalem Stone.
A stone arch resembling a window features a photo of the Yaque del Norte River, the main river of the island of Hispaniola, symbolizing the natural spring water that supplies the Mikvah, thus uniting two lands and two cultures. The rusticity of the stone contrasts with the polished marble of the arches on the opposite walls and the floor, where the bathing area is located. To transition between these two natural materials that define two environments within the same space, a third man-made element is used: leaf-patterned ceramic tiles. These tiles cover one side of the entrance walls and completely wrap the shower, which cascades like rain among the leaves.
The presence of water surrounds us throughout the journey, through its bubbling sounds, ambient music, pleasant aromas, and an experience that engages all the senses. The lighting design, with options for customization, and the selection of neutral colors with soft contrasts, help create a serene atmosphere. Every detail was thoughtfully designed so that each woman feels relaxed, calm, and comfortable, with complete privacy, in an elegant environment created with great care. The goal is for her to feel peace and well-being, preparing herself to fulfill this important mitzvah.
To schedule an appointment: Mrs. Michal Pelman - 809-835-5770
What is a Mikvah?
A Mikvah is a natural body of water or a collection of "Mayim Chayim" (living waters, such as rainwater). Unlike an ordinary bathtub or pool, a Mikvah’s construction is governed by complex laws and specifications. The collected rainwater is kept in a separate pool next to the immersion pool, which is regularly drained and refilled with warm tap water. The two pools share a common wall with an opening, allowing the waters to touch, thereby conferring the status of a Mikvah to the immersion pool.
Why Mikvah?
The Mikvah represents the ultimate celebration of life and the divine power uniquely entrusted to women to create life. Through the mitzvah of Mikvah, we welcome G‑d as a third partner in our marriages and our lives, bringing an eternal dimension to our relationships. By immersing in the Mikvah, a woman connects to an unbroken tradition that has been the cornerstone of Jewish life. Through the Mikvah, she surrounds herself with the source of life, purity, and holiness—with G‑d, who will be within her forever.
What is a Mikvah Used For?
The Mikvah is a threshold that separates the mundane from the holy and the spiritual. Immersion in the Mikvah has provided a gateway to purity since the creation of man, when Adam sat in the streams that flowed through the rivers of Eden (Kabbalah).
The primary uses of the Mikvah encompass many aspects of Jewish life. During the time of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, entry into the Chamber of G‑d was preceded by immersion in the Mikvah. By tradition, men immerse themselves on their wedding day, before Yom Kippur, Shabbat, and holidays. Less commonly known is the use of the Mikvah to immerse new dishes, pots, and kitchen utensils.
However, the most important use of the Mikvah today is for brides and married women as part of a broader framework known as Taharat HaMishpacha (Family Purity).
Water is the source and sustaining force of all life. Judaism teaches us that it is even more than that. These same attributes—the water as the source and life-giving energy of all living beings—are reflected spiritually. Thus, water has the power to purify, to restore, and to replenish life to the essence of our spirit.
Marriage and the Mikvah
For thousands of years, Jewish marriages have been strengthened by the sanctity and holiness inherent in Taharat HaMishpacha. Since G‑d separated Adam and Eve, it has been His will for men and women to draw apart and come together again in a continuous process.
The Mikvah system introduces couples to the necessary dynamic of withdrawal and return. From this new perspective, they can see and approach each other with renewed appreciation. The Torah commands that husband and wife refrain from physical contact from the onset of menstruation until seven days after it ends. On the evening of the seventh day, the woman immerses in the Mikvah and returns to her husband, "as his beloved bride on the day of their wedding" (Talmud Niddah, 31b).
The Mikvah fulfills the needs of the modern Jewish woman while offering a deeply moving spiritual experience—a spa for both the body and the soul. Upon emerging from the Mikvah waters, one gains a sense of renewal, regeneration, and rebirth, as the physical and spiritual aspects of her being come together.