Hilchot Nidda (Men’s Track) 2015/16

In the first few classes I will lecture about the basic ideas of nidda. I will define the basic concepts and the important ideas. The texts will be displayed on the blackboard, but we will not study them word by word. After these introductory lectures, we will begin to study the material word by word focusing on the primary texts from the Mishna through the great modern poskim. Bottom line: The first few classes will be lectures; then we will study texts. In his preparatory class on Thursdays, Rabbi Brovender will be teaching the basic verses dealing with nidda in the Torah together with the classical commentaries. When we begin studying texts word by word on Sundays, Rabbi Brovender’s preparatory class will focus on the texts we will study in class.

Prisha (=separation) is the requirement for husbands and wives to refrain from marital intimacy when she expects the onset of her monthly cycle. In class we will translate and analyze these sources.

After the halachot governing the separation between husband and wife on the day or night when the onset of nidda is expected, we will turn to the question of what to do if she becomes nidda during the act of intercourse.

The obligation to check for bleeding.

Nidda depends on blood and the halachic definition of blood depends on its color.

In today’s class we will finish the topic of women’s reliability in reporting colors. Then we will turn to the question of calculating when the onset of nidda is expected. On that date, husband and wife will of course separate.

Blood stains found outside a woman’s body.

We will begin the special laws that pertain to brides.

The status of women after childbirth or after miscarriage.

Our final topic is harhakot, the special halachot requiring husband and wife to avoid touching each other when she is nidda.