Reading sources on constructing a mikveh, it seems that the walls and floor should be made of brick or ceramic. Is any other material possible, such as aluminum, wood, Lexan (plexiglass), or fiberglass? Reason I ask is that I want to retrofit my existing fiberglass bathtub/shower as part of the structure, since it can't be ripped out of the bathroom wall.
4
-
I am not sure I understand how the mikve construction laws apply to your bathtub/shower. A mikve needs a souce of rainwater, can you get that into your bathtub?– mblochCommented May 5, 2016 at 3:40
-
@mbloch (no) rain!– koutyCommented May 5, 2016 at 5:24
-
I'd build a rainwater tank inside the bathroom next to the tub. I'd extend the house rain gutter into the tank through the bathroom window from the outside. I'd build up the tub to become high enough for immersion when sitting.– eternalsquireCommented May 5, 2016 at 5:54
-
Amazing. Kol hakavod. But the laws of mikve construction are very complex and you will need an expert to advise you. I can't imagine it could be done via MY. Maybe you can ask for names of experts here ;-)– mblochCommented May 5, 2016 at 6:13
Add a comment
|
2 Answers
Rabbi David Miller wrote a book called the Secret of a Jew(Sod Netzach Yisrael) ,the purpose of the book was to get Jews who weren't religious to start keeping the Torah. Its a great read even for those who are religious since it gives a glimpse into the world of American Jewry in the early 1900's. Anyhow, Rabbi Miller understood that many women werent going to the mikva for various reasons. So Rabbi Miller sought to find a way that every woman would be able to build their own mikva and immerse in the privacy of their own home. His method of using the water system was very controversial,but nonetheless his intentions were pure .
In the book he gives instructions how to make a very inexpensive mikva from basic materials. In this link one will be able to see his instructions and his thought process. It goes without saying that when it comes to the issur of kares(relations when wife is a nidda) extra caution needs to be taken and an expert Rabbi in the field of mikvos must be reached before such a project is started. This is just to get an idea of the basics.
Here is a picture of what his basic mikvah construction looked like with details of items needed with their prices from 1930 (see link above):
For the frame
Item a. 8 pieces 1" stock, 12" wide, 30" long (1" x 12" x 2'6")
Item b. 4 pieces 1" 2" 48" (1" x 2" x 4')
Item c. 8 pieces 1" 12" 48" (1" x 12" x 4')
Item d. 2 pieces 1" 6" 48" (1" x 6" x 4')
Total 59 feet at a cost of about 3 cents per foot -cost- $1.77
Item e. A box of 6-penny nails - cost- .10
For the lining
Item f. 72 ft of roofing paper costing about $2 for a roll of 100 ft- cost- $1.44
For the outlet
Item g. 1 1/2 inch hydrant bib faucet .................................. .50
Item h. 1 1/2 inch by 3 inch all-threaded galvanized (tank) nipple ..... .10
Item i. 2 1/2 inch lock nuts and 2 fiber washers ....................... .10
Item j. 1 1/2 inch sleeve or coupling .................................. .15
Total .......................................................... $4.16
Add 10% for unforseen expenses or variation in prices .......... .42
Total .......................................................... $4.58
-
-
@ShmuelBrin ,yes I did note that in my answer ,still doesn't take away from his intentions and his brilliance. He was also talking to an audience who vadai weren't going to the mikva.– samCommented Jan 31, 2017 at 5:03
It can be made from any material that does not leak, the main issue is that it should not be a vessel
It would seem legally ok to use the tube if you make a hole (by the drain) the size of a pomegranate and then seal it with cement and the cement should also be connected to the structure that is connected to the ground
But the the rain water that is collected in the tank is probably not considered rain water anymore but collected water and it can not be used
There is a law that you need (try) to dip into water that is the hight of a hand above the naval when standing
-
According to my research, redirecting rainwater through gutters that don't collect water themselves is not considered collection. C.F. Chabad publications re mikvek constructions. Commented May 5, 2016 at 16:37
-
@eternalsquire That is correct buy your tank might be a vessel,– hazorizCommented May 5, 2016 at 16:39
-
What's the difference between a pool, or 'bor', and a vessel? In the "kissing" construction there are effectively two pools which connect through a common wall. I don't see any effective difference between a raised tank and a raised pool in this case. Commented May 5, 2016 at 16:40
-
@eternalsquire that is the law, maybe because water in a vessel is more in human hands then water in a pit,– hazorizCommented May 5, 2016 at 16:43
-
no way to dig a pit indoors. I'll ask this as a new question. Commented May 5, 2016 at 16:45