Hilchot Nidda (Men's Track)

Our first class on hilchot nidda will deal with the definitions of basic concepts. Although most of the course will revolve around a word-by-word reading of primary sources, I will only refer to the sources and summarize them in the first class. Most of our classes will then focus entirely on the primary texts.

Sources for the first class are available both in WORD format and pdf through the links.

This evening (10 November), I will finish our survey of basic definitions.

Next week, we will begin careful study of the sources beginning with פרישה, the prohibition of any act of intimacy between husband and wife during the time of month when her menses is expected.

Sources are attached both in WORD format and pdf. In class we will translate and explain these sources.

Our next topic is Prisha, the obligation of separation between husband and wife when her monthly period is expected to start. Today we will survey the opinions of the poskim and their sources regarding what is permitted and what is prohibited during Prisha.

(We will deal with the methods for establishing the actual dates of Prisha later in the course.)

Sources, both in WORD format and pdf, are available through the links.

Key words: Yoreh Deah 184:1; Nidda 63a; Hilchot Issurei Biah 8:3; Ramban Breishit 31:35; Pesachim 72b.

Our next topic deals with husband and wife separating if she becomes nidda during marital intercourse.

Sources are available through the links in both WORD format and pdf.

Shavuot 14b; Horayot 8b; Yoreh Deah 185:4;

Before leaving home on a trip, he has an obligation of intimacy with his his wife.

This obligation can conflict with the prohibition of intimacy when the onset of nidda is expected (עונה).

Sources: Yevamot 62:b; Hatam Sofer YD 170:170 and 179′ Aruch ha-Shulchan 184; Shevet ha-Levi 1:71, 3:120, and 2:209; Orach Hayyim 454:19.

Today we finish the topic of leniencies that apply before and after travelling.

Then we begin the requirements for bedika. What are the requirements of checking for the onset of menstrual bleeding?

Sources for the method of internal examination are available through the links (document name: Horim uSedadim).

In this evening’s class we will also begin the subject of identifying blood by its colour  (document name: Color of Blood).

Sources are available for this topic as well.

Our next topic: The Special Laws Governing Brides

Attached are sources both in WORD format and pdf regarding the brides’ preparations to attend the mikve prior to her wedding.

Further, additional sources regarding stains found outside the woman’s body are attached. For some reason, these were omitted from the original handouts.

Source texts regarding the reliability of physicians in determining matters of nidda (and other areas of halacha) are available through the links in both WORD format and pdf.

Our final topic deals with the separation (הרחקות) between husband and wife during the nidda period.

Sources are available through the links in both WORD format and pdf.