Shturem

Over the past few years, several newly built and renovated Chabad Mikvahs have been named in honor of a particular person: 'Mikvah Meir' in Crown Heights, 'Yankele's Mikvah' in Kfar Chabad, 'Mei Menachem' in a few locations , and many more. However, according to a newly discovered 'Ksav Yad' (handwritten note) of the Rebbe, the concept of naming a mikvah after a person is not accepted Chabad custom.

Rebbe: Mikvahs Should Not Be Named After People

Shturem

Over the past few years, several newly built and renovated Chabad Mikvahs have been named in honor of a particular person: ‘Mikvah Meir’ in Crown Heights, ‘Yankele’s Mikvah’ in Kfar Chabad, ‘Mei Menachem’ in a few locations , and many more. However, according to a newly discovered ‘Ksav Yad’ (handwritten note) of the Rebbe, the concept of naming a mikvah after a person is not accepted Chabad custom.

In response to the inquiry of a Chossid who wanted to name a new women’s Mikvah ‘Taharas Chana’ after the Rebbe’s Mother, the Rebbe responded:

אין נהוג לקרות שם למקווה וכיו”ב

Translation: It is not customary to give a person’s name to a Mikvah and the like.

18 Comments

  • contextually correct

    What is the name of the Mikva Beis Shmuel is building? Does it not carry the Rebbetzins name? Isnt it a womans mikva?

    I think the context is quite in place.

  • not a chiddush

    this is already known and printed. though I am sure why people still name.

  • accurate translation

    It doesn’t seem that the Rebbe is specifically talking about people’s names, but ANY name.

  • Real meaning...

    I’m with 1 and 2 on this, but who knows really?

    Also, what else is included in וכיו”ב? Other buildings like a Mikva?

  • nochamol

    Of course the ‘rebbe didn’t mean it’ or ‘had no right to say it’ or ‘didnnt. Checck with the gaboim’. Let the court decide CHAS VESHALOM!

  • Number 7

    Hebrew didn’t come out. I was asking Also, what else is included in the word “u’kayotze bozeh” ? Other buildings like a Mikva?

  • questions

    I have a few questions on this

    1. Semantics – The writer was asking about a specific name “Taharas – Chana” Was the Rebbe taking exception to THIS name and being PC to the writer or does it refer to any title?

    2. Is Ein Nahug the same as Ein Minhageinu? Is it a general Jewish custom or Chabad custom that the Rebbe is referring to?

    3. When was this written? – There have been many mikvahs named after the Rebbetzin etc – Were all these big shluchim erring or was it b’Meizid since this was already “known” (as per #5)? (or did the Rebbe detract)?

    4. What is the K’Yotzeh bo? (as others have asked). Shuls and cheders have had names for centuries ( perhaps a cemetery?)

    5. Why aren’t the titles being removed? (fat chance)

    6. Does the Crown Heights mikvah on Albany have a title?

    7. Does this mean just a title or does it mean the name of the corporation or does it mean any dedication – like all the names plastered on the yeshiva’s etc?

    8. Since the writer was so makpid. What did he actually name it? Did the Rebbe give approval to the final name?

    BTW. I went on the http://www.mikvah.org/direc… site to check. Most of the mikvah’s are named after the town or congregation or “Mikvah Israel” but there are quite a few named after individuals

  • seichel darf men hoben

    the issue is so simple and no one wants to admit it.
    a women’s mikva is a private tznius issue and not li’pirsum. therefore the Rebbe was saying the obvious, that minhag yisroel is not to name a mikva for a person, vs. naming it the ‘brooklyn mikva’ or the ‘congregation beis shmuel mikva’.

    on corner ocean ave and ave L (SW corner) the flatbush community built a state of the art mikva. drive by and you won’t see a single sign on the building.

  • Milhouse

    The headline and article misrepresent the Rebbe’s words. There is nothing in the Rebbe’s words about naming “after people”. He wrote that it’s not customary to give *any* name to a mikveh or similar institution.

  • Is there a difference?

    Maybe someone knowledgeable can answer this: Maybe the Rebbe is writing concerning naming a Mikve when referring to it (like speaking or writing about it)?

    But does this rule out having dedications on the entire Mikve or part of it, which would be fine even according to this ksav yad; like a hakdosho on a Sicha or on a paroches?

    Can someone well versed please answer this question. I am sure this issue is very important to many, since raising funds for a Mikve is enhanced by dedications.

    Maybe one of the mazkirim knows of an answer?

  • just wondering

    so is every Mikvah going to be re-named? I guess they will have to give back the $ to the donors.

  • timmy

    Pretty sure the rebbe allowed melbournes mikvah to be named after the rebbetzin- btw its a womans mikvah

  • not so simple.

    I konw of a mikva the rebbe agreed should be name after the rebbetzin.
    ythis one went through rabbi Klien, ask him or any of the MAzkirus I am sure there are way more then one.