Publication: Purifying the soul ... The Medieval Mikveh in Erfurt

18.11.2015 09:50

An important medieval Jewish community such as Erfurt's had in addition to a synagogue also a centrally located mikveh. The immersion bath used for ritual purification and thus allowed men and women to participate in religious life as well as have sexual contact.

Picture: Publication: Purifying the soul ... The Medieval Mikveh in Erfurt Picture: © Sutton Verlag

There are references dating back to the 13^th century, but the discovery of the mikveh in 2006 was a fortuitous and exciting moment for the city of Erfurt.

The Jewish Studies expert Diana Matut gives a knowledgeable and clear account of how and for what a mikveh was used and explains the special feature of the Erfurt ritual bath. A discourse on the history of the Erfurt mikveh completes the richly illustrated volume.

Purifying the soul … the Medieval Mikveh in Erfurt
Editor: Stadtverwaltung Erfurt
Erfurt 2015
14,99 Euro

Medieval Mikveh Back to main page