What is the basis of the mikvah in Jewish history?
Mikvah was used for ritual purification, not only for post-menstrual women, but for men with certain conditions and for priests in relation to the Temple rituals. Men have visited the mikvah for spiritual purification before the Sabbath and Yom Kippur. Going to the mikvah was a requirement for brides and converts to Judaism. Finally, it was the custom to wash new cooking utensils in the mikvah when purchased from a non-Jew to make them kosher for use. Like the ancient mikvaot, the CGCM contains living waters. Living water means running or moving water, and comes from a God-given source such as rain, snow, ice, spring water or the ocean. Because the mikvah is a symbol of spiritual cleansing, transformation and renewal, individuals come to the living waters at times of change in their lives or to commemorate a special occasion.
