Table of Contents
Foreword Rabbi Yehuda Henkin 10
Introduction 13
Part 1 The Study Guide 21
Chapter 1 Hilchot Niddah - Biblical and Rabbinic 23
Niddah versus zavah 24
Color of blood 25
Chapter 2 The Onset of the Niddah Status 28
Bleeding 28
Stains 32
When she experiences a sensation 35
When she states she is a niddah 36
Childbirth 37
Bride 38
Medical procedures 38
Chapter 3 The Cessation of the Niddah Status - Counting 39
Shiva neki'im 39
Hefsek taharah 39
Moch dachuk 42
Wearing white 43
Bedikot (internal exams) 44
Minimum days prior to starting shiva neki'im 45
Examples of counting 46
Chapter 4 The Cessation of the Niddah Status - Mikveh 49
Need for mikveh immersion 49
When does one immerse in the mikveh 49
Preparation for mikveh - why 50
Preparation for mikveh - how 52
Cleansing 53
Inspection 55
Preparation for mikveh - when 56
Preparation for mikveh - where 56
Immersing in the mikveh - when 57
Special considerations for Friday night or Yom Tov 58
Immersing in the mikveh - how 58
Blessing on immersion 60
What is a proper mikveh? 61
Chapter 5 Expectation of Being Niddah 63
Times of separation (onot prishah) 63
Veset hayamim 64
1 The same Hebrew date 64
2 The same interval 65
3 The thirtieth day 65
Sample calculations 66
Establishing a veset kavua 68
Veset haguf 70
Women who do not have to observe the onot prishah 70
Chapter 6 Couple's Behavior While the Wife is Niddah 72
Prohibited activities 72
Further distancing (harchakot) 72
Avoidance of all touching 73
Eating together 74
Sharing a bed 75
Dress 76
Signs of affection 77
Frivolous behavior 79
When one of the couple is ill 79
Part 2 Practical Guide and Review 81
Chapter 1 Causes of the Niddah Status 83
Chapter 2 The Cessation of the Niddah Status 88
Chapter 3 Expectation of Being Niddah 95
Chapter 4 Behavior While Niddah 99
Chapter 5 Frequently Asked Questions 102
Part 3 The Life Cycle 113
Chapter 1 Puberty 115
Age of onset of niddah status 115
Adolescence as a preparatory period 115
Chapter 2 Marriage 117
Setting the wedding date 117
Immersion prior to the wedding 118
The wedding ceremony 119
Changes in the ceremony if the bride is niddah 123
Hymenal bleeding 123
Chapter 3 Pregnancy 125
Effect on times of anticipation 125
Chapter 4 Childbirth 127
Status of yoledet 127
From when in labor does the yoledet status begin? 127
Cessation of the yoledet status 128
The yoledet status: biblical and rabbinic law 128
Attendance of husband at delivery 130
Cesarean section 131
Miscarriage 131
Chapter 5 Breastfeeding 133
Medical background 133
Effect on times of anticipation 134
Other halachot of breastfeeding 135
Chapter 6 The Climacteric (Menopause, Peri-menopause) 136
Medical background 136
Effect on times of anticipation 137
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) 138
Part 4 Medical Issues 141
Chapter 1 General Diagnostic Examinations 143
Halachic background 143
Uterine Opening 144
Timing of medical examinations 145
Specific examinations 145
Manual exam 145
Speculum examination 146
Papanicolaou (Pap) smear 146
Colposcopy 147
Cervical biopsy 147
Endometrial biopsy 148
Vaginal ultrasound 148
Laparoscopy 148
Chapter 2 Infertility 149
Definition of infertility 149
Evaluation of infertility 150
Effective marital relations 150
Halachic infertility 151
Order of diagnostic procedures 152
Evaluation of male factors 152
Evaluation of female factors 154
Hysterogram or Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) 154
Hysteroscopy 154
Endometrial biopsy 154
Infertility Treatment 155
Support 157
Chapter 3 Birth Control 159
Is birth control permitted? 159
What is the preferred method? 161
Effects of specific methods on hilchot niddah 167
Hormonal contraception 167
Intrauterine Device (IUD) 169
Diaphragm 170
Chapter 4 Medical Conditions 171
Menstrual disorders 171
Unexpected bleeding 172
Causes outside the reproductive tract 173
Causes inside the reproductive tract 174
Outside causes that affect the reproductive tract 177
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding 177
Post-coital bleeding 178
Chapter 5 Therapeutic Medical Procedures 179
Endometrial Ablation 179
Dilitation and Curettage (D&C) 179
Hysterectomy 180
Abortion 181
Chapter 6 Marital Relations 182
Halachic aspects of marital relations 182
The halachic obligation 183
When are they forbidden 183
What is permissible? 184
What if physical relations do not seem to be going right 184
Appendix A Review of Physiology of Menstruation and Pregnancy 189
Appendix B Taking Care of Oneself During and After Pregnancy 193
Appendix C Sexual Anatomy and Physiology 200
Appendix D Mikveh Construction 207
Appendix E Checklist Prior to Mikveh Immersion 209
Appendix F Veset Calendar 212
Appendix G The Marriage Contract 213
Appendix H Issues Involved in a Married Woman Covering her Hair 214
Appendix I Authorities Cited and Their Works Relevant to Hilchot Niddah 217
Index 221
