Khal Arugas HaBosem was established in 1951 by Harav Amram Taub, the Brider Rebbe, zy”a, who survived the concentration camps and came to Baltimore at the behest of the Satmar Rebbe, zy”a, to establish a chassidishe kehillah.

Harav Taub was extremely devoted to kedushah v’taharah and was always careful to build a mikveh wherever he lived.  While in the concentration camps, Harav Taub was once working, building a bridge over a river. A pole fell into the frigid water, and the Nazi guard demanded that someone volunteer to enter the water and retrieve the pole.  However, no one could be sure that he would be able to survive the freezing cold water. The sadistic guard insisted that if no one would volunteer to retrieve the pole, he would assign the task to whomever he chose. Rav Taub turned to those around him and said, “Who wants to be tovel in the water?” Several of the inmates joined him, jumped into the water, and retrieved the pole.  As he entered the river, Rav Taub made a promise. “Ribbono shel Olam, if I survive this ordeal, I will make a commitment to taharah wherever I go.”

The current mikveh in Khal Arugas HaBosem is over forty-five years old, and in a state of serious disrepair.  Harav Shaya Taub, shlita, son and successor of Harav Amram Taub, has taken upon himself to build a new, state of the art mikveh. Alongside the mikveh construction, the shul building is being completely renovated as well.

The new mikveh is being built with the guidance of Harav Yitzchok Trieger, a well-known expert in mikvaos. Rav Trieger advised Rav Taub, “You have people from all over the world using your mikveh. Make sure that is it built with the highest halachic standards, so that everyone is comfortable.” Indeed, the mikveh is being built with many hiddurim, to meet the highest halachic standards. It will also feature three separate mikvaos, including an indoor keilim mikveh.

A couple of days before the pouring of the boros, Harav Nesanel Kostelitz, Rosh Kollel of the Baltimore Community Kollel and Rav of Khal Machzikei Torah, visited the mikveh construction site together with the kollel yungeleit, who are currently learning Hilchos Mikvaos. Rav Kostelitz explained the mikveh construction to the yungeleit, so that two days later, when the cement was being poured, they understood the process that was taking place.

The Baltimore community is very excited about the construction of the new mikveh. The pouring of the boros was attended by over 100 people, including relatives and friends of the Taub family who traveled from out of town to attend, supporters from Keren Mikvaos, and Baltimore community members. Several Rabbanim from the community attended as well, including Harav Moshe Heinemann, Rav of Agudath Israel of Park Heights; Harav Nesanel Kostelitz, Rabbi Rouben Arieh, Rav of Congregation Ohr Hamizrach; Rabbi Yosef Berger, Rav of Kehillas Kol Torah; Rabbi Shmuel Zanvil Friedman, Rav of Bais Nosson Congregation; Rabbi Menachem Goldberger, Rav of Congregation Tiferes Yisroel; Rabbi Emmanuel Goldfeiz, Rav of Congregation Beit Yaakov; Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Rav of Congregation Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion; and Rabbi Elchonon Lisbon, Rav of Bais Lubavitch.

Harav Trieger also traveled from New York to attend, and checked the construction of the mikveh thus far before the cement was poured.

The event was filled was simchah, as reaching this milestone was a dream come true, and a full program, with a delicious seudah was planned. However, unfortunately, the event was cut short due to the news of the sudden petirah of the mother of Rebbetzin Taub, Rebbetzin Chava Israel, the Hunyander Rebbetzin, a”h.

It is hoped that sufficient money will be raised so that construction will be completed and the mikveh will be up and running within the next few months.