One of the most powerful chapters in modern Jewish history unfolded in the shadows of the Soviet Union, during decades of Communist repression. Judaism was not merely discouraged—it was systematically targeted for eradication.

Among the many institutions under attack, the mikvah—the ritual bath—stood at the center.

What could be so threatening about a mikvah?

When Yigael Yadin, an Israeli archaeologist and former military Chief-of-Staff, came to Masada in the 1950s and first laid eyes on a three-pooled plastered bath system carved into rock, he did not realize that he had just made the first-ever discovery of an ancient Mikvah, a Jewish ritual bath. Hundreds more were subsequently found all over Israel.