The word mikveh means "a natural water set." Constructed according to precise dimensions and with an acceptable natural water source, a mikveh is a small pool, usually 1.5 meters deep, filled with clear, clean water.
Immersion in a mikveh has nothing to do with hygiene. It's not for cleansing the body, but the soul. When a Jewish wife visits the mikveh, it's a spiritual preparation through which she experiences a refreshing sense of renewal, both physical and psychological.
The mikveh can enhance the relationship between husband and wife, helping them develop a rich and profound friendship and teaching them to communicate on levels beyond the physical. Throughout history, the strength and stability of the Jewish family have been the envy of other cultures. The mikveh creates a beautiful balance in which a marriage and a family can begin with love and security and continue to grow and strengthen throughout their lives.