NIDAH

Bleeding

The prohibition of Nidah is under the awesome punishment of "Kores" (see Introduction), for both the man and the woman, regardless of whether she is single or married. This booklet is a condensation of the laws concerning the relationship between husband and wife.

1. When a woman experiences uterine bleeding, either during her regular monthly menstrual period or at any other time (also when pregnant, nursing, or after her menopause), no matter what caused the bleeding, she is a Nidah and is ritually unclean. (As a rule, any vaginal bleeding is assumed to have originated from the uterus. If there is any doubt, a competent Orthodox Rabbi must be consulted.) She and her husband must observe the rules of separation prescribed in Chapter 8. This separation commences from the moment she becomes a Nidah and lasts until after the entire period of bleeding, 'donning white," the clean days," and the Tviloh immersion in a Mikvah as explained further.

2. Regardless of whether she experiences the bleeding in the usual manner, namely through feeling the opening of the womb or through Some Other sensation, or even if She experiences it without any sensation at all, she is a Nidah. Even if she finds the tiniest drop of blood on the examination cloth after examining herself internally, she is likewise a Nidah. Similarly, if she notices certain stains on her garments, undergarments or bed linen, etc. (see par. 4), she becomes a Nidah.

Color of the blood

3. Even if the blood is not red but is reddish or blackish, she is, nevertheless, definitely a Nidah. If she is sure that the discharge is white, then she is considered clean. If any other color is found, or if hair like, dust like or other forms of particles are found on the examination cloth, it must be shown to a competent Orthodox Rabbi. If there is reason to believe that the blood may have come from someplace other than the womb (e.g. if she has a wound that is known to bleed) or if she found blood in her urine, a competent Rabbi must be consulted.

If a stain is found

4. If a woman finds a reddish, blackish, brownish or dark yellow stain at any time no matter how small on her body, dress, undergarments or on any part of her bedding or sheets, etc. (even if she immediately examined herself and found that she was clean), she must immediately consult a Rabbi with her shaaloh (question).

Feeling the opening of the womb

5. When a woman experiences a sensation in her womb similar to that which she feels at the onset of her period, she must, at once, examine herself thoroughly by inserting a soft, clean, white cotton cloth into her vagina as deeply as possible, moving it to and fro into all sides, corners and crevices, and then taking it out and examining it. If a reddish or blackish stain of even the smallest size is found on this cloth, she is definitely a Nidah. If, however, she found the discharge to be completely white, she is still clean. If she failed to examine herself immediately, or if she found any other color, she must consult a Rabbi with a shaaloh. If she found nothing on the cloth, she is a Nidah. Nevertheless, a Rabbi should be consulted, especially if she often has a white discharge or if hair like or dust like particles were found. A pregnant woman, however, after the third month of pregnancy, or a nursing mother, who had the above-mentioned sensation, and after a thorough examination found nothing on the examination cloth, is clean.

6. Any woman (even one who is pregnant, lactating, or elderly) who undergoes an internal examination in which the doctor inserts an instrument into her vagina, must consult a Rabbi with a shaaloh. (The woman should prepare an examination cloth beforehand in order to check herself immediately after the doctor's examination. If possible, she should also examine the instrument. Even though she found herself clean, she must consult a Rabbi. It is, therefore, advisable that such examinations, if needed, be performed at the end of her period, before the start of the clean days.)

Bleeding during intercourse

7. If a woman senses bleeding during intercourse, she must immediately tell her husband so that he should not separate from her in the usual manner, but only in the special manner prescribed for such an- instance (see Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Code of Jewish Law, Chapter 156, par. 3). Such a case, or if bleeding occurred soon after intercourse, may lead to grave consequences, it is therefore urgent to consult a Rabbi as soon as possible so that through his guidance any problems can be avoided. (Regarding a virgin bride, however, see Chapter 6, par. 9.)

7a. If a woman tells her husband that she has become a Nidah and later tells him that, in fact, she is still clean, or if she dons a garment reserved for wear during her unclean period (see Ch. 8, par. 13) (even if she knows herself to be clean, but she did it for a 'joke or for any other reason), she is considered a Nidah and is prohibited to her husband. They must, however, clarify their shaaloh by a Rabbi because there are many complexities involved.

Should a woman be unsure about any detail mentioned in this book, or should she have any question regarding any other situation which might arise, she (or her husband) must consult a competent Orthodox Rabbi. No one else may be relied upon for advice or decisions in these matters. Even if it concerns a question previously referred to a Rabbi, it 'should be asked again, unless the Rabbi expressly stated that his decision in this matter may be taken on a permanent basis.

In case of doubt whether a woman has become a Nidah, all the rules of separation delineated in Chapter 8 must be followed until the Rabbi renders his decision.

The only examination that should be preceded by washing, is the one done at the beginning of "donning the white" (Chapter 2, Par. 4). All other examinations must be done expressly without washing.

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