Niddah
In biblical terms, a niddah is a woman experiencing a menstrual flow who is thus required to abstain from intimacy with her husband and who renders impure people and items that are susceptible to ritual impurity. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the latter concern fell away, and the term came to refer to a category of Jewish ritual purity law that governs the intimate relations between spouses, also sometimes known as the laws of family purity.
Notable Sources
All Sources
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Boundaries of PurityTANAKH
Boundaries of Purity
TANAKH
In the Torah, the laws of niddah are discussed in the book of Leviticus. While chapter 15 describes the ritual impurity surrounding a menstruating woman, this verse in chapter 18 establishes the prohibition of "coming near" sexual contact with a woman who is a niddah.
Atonement and Protection through ObservanceMIDRASH
Atonement and Protection through Observance
MIDRASH
Rabbinic sources seek to understand the origins of the laws of niddah. Midrash Tanchuma, a medieval collection of midrash, connects the observance of three specific commandments to the theological narrative of Eve's sin and its consequences.
The Evolution of Niddah LawsTALMUD
The Evolution of Niddah Laws
TALMUD
The Talmud recounts that Jewish women adopted a stringency beyond the Torah's requirements, treating any instance of bleeding as necessitating the counting of seven clean days even though the Torah only requires these clean days for non-menstrual bleeding in specific circumstances. The talmudic tractate Niddah discusses the ritual impurity associated with menstruation and other discharges, the prohibition of intercourse during these times, and the evolution of niddah laws over time.
The Spiritual Consequences of Intimacy During MenstruationKABBALAH
The Spiritual Consequences of Intimacy During Menstruation
KABBALAH
In kabbalistic sources, engaging in intimacy during menstruation is seen as a severe spiritual transgression that drives away the divine presence and results in unanswered prayers. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, explores the spiritual implications of ritual impurity, particularly in the context of menstruation.
The Persistence of Menstrual LawsCOMMENTARY
The Persistence of Menstrual Laws
COMMENTARY
The enduring relevance of menstrual laws, unlike other purity laws, is due to their unique prohibition on sexual relations and perhaps cultural influences as well. Dr. Judith Hauptman examines the historical evolution and lasting significance of these laws, contrasting them with other purity regulations that faded over time.
Tracing the Roots of the Word "Niddah"COMMENTARY
Tracing the Roots of the Word "Niddah"
COMMENTARY
Exploring the etymology of 'niddah' uncovers the historical and societal impact of menstrual exclusion in Jewish tradition. This contemporary work explores the usage of the word in the Torah and its linguistic roots.
Counting Days of PurificationMUSAR
Counting Days of Purification
MUSAR
The parallel between the counting of the Omer and the counting of clean days after menstruation highlights a shared journey of spiritual purification and preparation. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kaidanover's 18th-century work draws a connection between the Israelites' spiritual journey after leaving Egypt and the ritual purification process of a menstruating woman.
Trust in Self-ReportingCOMMENTARY
Trust in Self-Reporting
COMMENTARY
The halakhic principle of trusting an individual on matters of prohibition is based on a verse understood by the rabbis to mean that a woman is trustworthy to self-report on her ritual status. This 21st-century work by Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky explores this principle and how it relates to the biblical narrative of Rachel and Laban.
Maintaining Boundaries During NiddahHALAKHAH
Maintaining Boundaries During Niddah
HALAKHAH
The Shulchan Arukh provides a comprehensive guide to the specific prohibitions and measures that ensure separation between spouses during a woman's niddah period. This authoritative 16th-century code of Jewish law outlines the laws of niddah, emphasizing the importance of maintaining physical and symbolic distance during this time.
Determining Ritual Purity in NiddahMISHNAH
Determining Ritual Purity in Niddah
MISHNAH
The differing opinions of Shammai, Hillel, and the rabbis on determining a woman's ritual impurity status highlight the complexity and significance of these laws. The Mishnah, the first codification of Jewish law from the early third-century land of Israel, explores the intricacies of menstrual impurity.
Bodily Sensations and Contemporary Birth ControlRESPONSA
Bodily Sensations and Contemporary Birth Control
RESPONSA
In contemporary times, new questions about the laws of niddah arise as contemporary medical developments give way to new scenarios. Nishmat HaBayit, a 21st-century compilation of responsa by a team of women halakhic advisors, addresses a question about staining while on progesterone-only birth control pills.
Identifying Impure ColorsMIDRASH
Identifying Impure Colors
MIDRASH
The tradition of identifying various colors of menstrual blood as impure is a critical aspect of Jewish law concerning family purity. The Sifra, an ancient midrash on the book of Leviticus from the land of Israel, discusses the identification of impure colors of menstrual blood.
The Mystical Journey of ImmersionLITURGY
The Mystical Journey of Immersion
LITURGY
The practice of ritual immersion is intertwined with spiritual and mystical elements, as reflected in a prayer that emphasizes personal devotion and divine connection. This prayer, recited by some women before immersion at the end of their niddah period, highlights the intention to achieve spiritual purification and seek blessings in marriage and family life.
