The Mahari"d - Rabbi Yissochor Dov Rokeach constructed a second Mikvah based on rainwater, this Mikvah was built with the immersing pool ("Bor Hatvila") on top of the rainwater pool ("Otzar Mei Gshamim" / "Bor Tachton"), like the Rebbe Rashab's Mikvah in Rostov.
The city of Belz in Ukraine was the seat of the famed Belz Chassidic dynasty, starting with the "Sar Shalom" - Rabbi Shalom Rokeach. He constructed in his complex a Mikvah on top of a spring, and that served him and his Chassidim.
Two generations later, his grandson the Mahari"d - Rabbi Yissochor Dov Rokeach, saw that the Mikvah was not enough for his Chassidim during holiday seasons, and Chassidim would come late to Shacharis because they had to wait to go into the Mikvah, so he constructed a second Mikvah based on rainwater, this Mikvah was built with the immersing pool ("Bor Hatvila") on top of the rainwater pool ("Otzar Mei Gshamim" / "Bor Tachton"), like the Rebbe Rashab's Mikve in Rostov.
The fact that the second Mikvah was a "Lubavitcher" Mikvah was not known until recently.
After World War II, the local Goyim covered both Mikvahs with earth and cement to raise it to the floor level. A few months ago excavations began in the remains of the Belz complex and both Mikvahs were discovered, the first one was broken and the second one was still complete. Both still had water in them.
Following the lead of Agudas Chassidei Chabad of Russia who renovated the Mikvah of the Rebbe Rashab in Rostov, the Belz Chassidim have taken upon themselves to renovate both Mikvahs for the people who come to visit the holy graves of the Belz dynasty.
The first picture shows the rainwater Mikvah, and the holes connecting the bottom rainwater "Boir" with the top immersion "Boir" are clearly visible. The second Mikve shows the entrance to the spring Mikvah.
View Photos and Full Story Here
The city of Belz in Ukraine was the seat of the famed Belz Chassidic dynasty, starting with the "Sar Shalom" - Rabbi Shalom Rokeach. He constructed in his complex a Mikvah on top of a spring, and that served him and his Chassidim.
Two generations later, his grandson the Mahari"d - Rabbi Yissochor Dov Rokeach, saw that the Mikvah was not enough for his Chassidim during holiday seasons, and Chassidim would come late to Shacharis because they had to wait to go into the Mikvah, so he constructed a second Mikvah based on rainwater, this Mikvah was built with the immersing pool ("Bor Hatvila") on top of the rainwater pool ("Otzar Mei Gshamim" / "Bor Tachton"), like the Rebbe Rashab's Mikve in Rostov.
The fact that the second Mikvah was a "Lubavitcher" Mikvah was not known until recently.
After World War II, the local Goyim covered both Mikvahs with earth and cement to raise it to the floor level. A few months ago excavations began in the remains of the Belz complex and both Mikvahs were discovered, the first one was broken and the second one was still complete. Both still had water in them.
Following the lead of Agudas Chassidei Chabad of Russia who renovated the Mikvah of the Rebbe Rashab in Rostov, the Belz Chassidim have taken upon themselves to renovate both Mikvahs for the people who come to visit the holy graves of the Belz dynasty.
The first picture shows the rainwater Mikvah, and the holes connecting the bottom rainwater "Boir" with the top immersion "Boir" are clearly visible. The second Mikve shows the entrance to the spring Mikvah.
View Photos and Full Story Here