The Power of Jewish Women

When Israeli archaeologist and former IDF Chief-of-Staff Yigael Yadin uncovered a three-pooled plastered structure carved into the rock at Masada in the 1950s, he had no idea he was looking at the earliest known discovery of a Mikvah—a Jewish ritual bath. This discovery would become the first of hundreds found throughout Israel, offering a window into the deep spiritual priorities of ancient Jewish communities.

The existence of a Mikvah on Masada tells a powerful story. While the Jewish rebels prepared for siege—securing food, shelter, and protection—they also built a Mikvah. This act was not about preparing to die, but about choosing to live, to sustain Jewish family life, and to preserve a future. In Jewish law, this priority is clear: "Building a Mikvah takes precedence over building a synagogue or purchasing a Torah scroll."