| Foreword to The Newly Revised Edition This booklet on the laws of Nidah was originally published fifty years ago in Hungary by the Central Office of Orthodoxy, under the personal supervision and editing of three prominent rabbis: Rabbi Shulem Wieder (Nylregyhaz), Rabbi Menachem Pollack (Serencs), Rabbi Jacob Jungreiss (Nylrmada). It was widely accepted and distributed in Hungary and subsequently reprinted a number of times in America.
An urgent need has now arisen for a similar work in English for the benefit of those who find it difficult to read the booklets available in Hebrew and Yiddish. A translation of the aforementioned booklet, approved by competent rabbis, was felt to be the most suitable for this purpose. 1, therefore, spared neither money nor effort to have such a translation made.
The work has gone through much revision. The accuracy of the translation was closely checked by Rabbi L. Blum and Rabbi Ch. L. Katz, to make sure that no changes in meaning have resulted through translation. The introduction has been shortened and the wording rearranged to avoid awkward phraseology. The basic text, for the most part, has remained the same, except for some changes and additions deemed necessary by the aforementioned rabbis, mainly for the sake of clarity. I have received letters of commendation for this newly revised edition from a number of distinguished rabbis.
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude are hereby extended to all who have taken part in this truly important work. May the Al-mighty bless them all with the manifold blessings of the Torah Rabbi Michel Neuman Friday, fifth day of Chanukah, 5720
PREFACE The authors have endeavored to fulfill the sacred mission delegated them by the Rabbinical Council to provide a clear condensation of the religious laws pertaining to the purity of marital life. We believe that such a condensation will help eliminate the grievous sins that stem mainly from ignorance of the laws of Nidah an ignorance that hurls many of our faithful brothers and sisters into a whirlpool of sin and contaminates their children with an indelible impurity. With G-d's help, our sacred endeavor will surely succeed, and with the cooperation of the rabbis in all localities, we hope shortly to reach our goal of making every bride and groom thoroughly familiar with the contents of this booklet. Only by periodically rereading it throughout their married life, can they be sure that their union will be undisturbed by the grave consequences of Nidah sins for themselves and their offspring.
We hope that all rabbis cooperate by persuading all engaged couples to study this booklet. Moreover, it is advisable for rabbis to test couples on their knowledge of its contents, and make presentation of a certificate attesting to this knowledge a prerequisite to their marriage ceremony. May the blessing of G-d accompany our booklet in the fulfillment of its mission. We can then hope that the tragedies constantly bewailing our people will cease, for we are aware that our sufferings are brought upon us by our sins and that the elimination thereof will bring peace.
May Heavenly mercy call a halt to our miseries and may our purified attitudes and renewed moral vigor merit for us the day when the sounds of grief and fear in Jewish households will be transformed into undisturbed happiness and grateful songs of pure joy wafting towards heaven. |