The laws of Niddah govern the conduct between a husband and wife during the wife's menstrual period and for seven days following. Observance of these laws fosters a spiritually uplifting marital relationship and aligns one with the will of HaShem.
1.1 A woman becomes Niddah at the onset of her menstrual flow (Leviticus 15:19, Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 183:1).
1.2 The initial flow is identified by a specific hue of red, darker than fresh blood (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 190:58).
2.1 After the cessation of her menstrual flow, a woman counts seven "clean" days before immersing in a Mikveh (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 196:1).
2.2 During these seven days, she must check herself twice daily using a white cloth to ensure she is free from any bleeding (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 196:2).
3.1 On the eighth evening, following the seven clean days, the woman immerses in a kosher Mikveh (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 200:1).
3.2 The Mikveh must contain at least 40 seahs (approximately 191 gallons) of naturally gathered water (Mishnah, Mikvaot 1:7).
4.1 During the Niddah period, there must be no physical contact between husband and wife (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 195:1).
4.2 Even passing objects directly from hand to hand is prohibited (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 195:2).
5.1 Garments stained with blood must be inspected to determine if they render a woman Niddah (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 6:11).
5.2 A stain smaller than a gris (a chickpea) does not render a woman Niddah (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 190:1).
6.1 Following Mikveh immersion, normal marital relations may resume (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 11:15).
6.2 It is a mitzvah for the husband to have marital relations with his wife on the night following her Mikveh immersion (Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer 72:1).
7.1 A woman is exempt from the laws of Niddah during pregnancy, as long as there is no blood flow (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 184:1).
7.2 After childbirth, a woman becomes Niddah regardless of whether she experiences bleeding (Leviticus 12:2-5, Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 194:1).
8.1 If a woman finds blood but suspects it may have originated from an external wound, she may be lenient under certain circumstances (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 188:1).
8.2 A woman is not obligated to interrupt her day to perform checks. However, she should exercise caution in identifying the source of bleeding (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 197:1).
9.1 A Kohen must avoid ritual impurity (tumah) associated with Niddah and therefore must be extra cautious (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 369:1).
9.2 In the times when the Temple stood, additional laws concerning Niddah were applicable. These are preserved in the event of the rebuilding of the Temple (Mishnah, Kelim 1:8).
10.1 Before immersing in the Mikveh, a woman recites a blessing, acknowledging the sanctity of the immersion (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 200:14).
10.2 The intention (kavanah) during immersion should be to fulfill the mitzvah and to draw close to HaShem (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 200:15).
11.1 Prior to Mikveh immersion, a woman should prepare herself meticulously, ensuring no barriers (chatzitzah) exist between her body and the water (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 198:1).
11.2 She should bathe, comb her hair, and remove any cosmetics, jewelry, or anything else that may serve as a barrier (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 198:17-20).
12.1 A Mikveh must be built under the supervision of a knowledgeable authority to ensure its kashrut (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 201:1).
12.2 Ongoing maintenance and inspection are crucial to ensure the Mikveh remains kosher (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 201:29).
13.1 A husband should be supportive and knowledgeable about the laws of Niddah to facilitate his wife's observance (Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer 21:1).
13.2 A husband should also strive to learn these laws in depth to foster a harmonious and sanctified marital relationship (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 21:32).
14.1 When a doubt arises concerning any aspect of these laws, one should consult a qualified Halachic authority (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 110:1).
14.2 Rabbinic authorities may rely on specific customs (minhagim) and stringencies (chumrot) when providing rulings (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 110:5).
15.1 Some communities have additional practices such as the husband not sitting directly on his wife’s chair during Niddah (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 195:7).
15.2 Advanced stringencies may involve additional checking or particular Mikveh customs; these are often based on Kabbalistic teachings (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 197:2).
16.1 The laws of Niddah are often categorized under the concept of "chok," commandments whose reasons are not readily understood (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 21:33).
16.2 While the mystical aspects of these laws are elaborated in Kabbalistic texts, their observance is ultimately an act of submission to Divine Will (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 197:3).
17.1 It is of paramount importance that these laws be taught to the younger generation to ensure their continued observance (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:1).
17.2 Special care should be given to educating women prior to marriage to prepare them for this significant mitzvah (Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer 1:1).
18.1 Observing the laws of Niddah meticulously not only fulfills the letter of the law but also the spirit of the law, fostering sanctity within the Jewish home (Mishneh Torah, De'ot 5:1).
18.2 The ultimate goal is to live in a manner that reflects the unity and oneness of HaShem, epitomized by the harmonious relationship between husband and wife (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 376:4).
19.1 During times of suffering or hardship, it's vital to maintain the observance of these laws as a source of spiritual fortitude (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 333:1).
19.2 Leniencies should only be sought under the guidance of a Halachic authority and not assumed unilaterally (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 21:34).
20.1 The reward for the meticulous observance of these laws is profound, both in this world and the World to Come (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 22:32).
20.2 The observance of the laws of Niddah is not merely a ritual act, but a transformative process that elevates the soul and strengthens the bond between husband and wife, ultimately mirroring the relationship between the Jewish people and HaShem (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 379:1).
21.1 While these laws primarily concern Jewish marital life, it is advisable to be cautious in situations that might lead to ritual impurity when interacting with gentiles, especially in places where the laws of Niddah are not generally observed (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 195:20).
21.2 This caution should not lead to discrimination but should serve as a reminder of the sanctity inherent in these laws (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 12:10).
22.1 Going beyond the basic requirements of these laws, known as hiddur mitzvah, is considered meritorious (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 656:1).
22.2 Hiddur in the observance of Niddah can manifest in many ways, including more frequent inspections or additional mindfulness and intentions during Mikveh immersion (Mishneh Torah, Issurei Biah 21:35).
23.1 In the messianic era, the complete understanding and deeper significances of these laws will be revealed, offering a new layer of observance and meaning (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 12:5).
23.2 The meticulous observance of these laws today serves as a preparation for that time, hastening the coming of the final redemption (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:4).
24.1 This abridged guide serves as an initial overview and should not replace ongoing study and consultation with Halachic authorities (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:1).
24.2 May the study and observance of these laws bring us closer to HaShem and merit us to witness the final redemption speedily in our days (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:6).
25.1 As Halacha is a dynamic and evolving field, guided by the principles of the Torah and rabbinic authorities, this guide may be subject to revisions (Shulchan Aruch, Introduction).
25.2 Any updates or revisions should be made in consultation with qualified Halachic authorities to ensure the accuracy and fidelity of the guide (Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Mamrim 1:5).
26.1 This guide acknowledges the rich tapestry of Halachic discourse and aims to align itself with mainstream Sephardic practice (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, Introduction).
26.2 It is not intended to replace the advice or rulings of a qualified Halachic authority. In case of doubt or difficulty, consultation with a rabbi is strongly advised (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 242:31).
The observance of the laws of Niddah is a profound expression of the sanctity of marital relations and an opportunity to draw close to HaShem. May adherence to these laws bring blessings to the Jewish home and serve as a conduit for divine influence.