What is the basis of the mikveh in Jewish history?
Mikveh 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 mikveh for spiritual purification before the Sabbath and Yom Kippur. Going to the mikveh was a requirement for brides and converts to Judaism. Finally, it was the custom to wash new cooking utensils in the mikveh when purchased from a non-Jew to make them kosher for use.
