Does a woman who doesn’t deal with pure items need to check herself before and after relations with her husband? What are the differences regarding checking before/after relations between women who have regular cycles and those who don’t. There is a tannatic debate regarding whether or not a woman who does not have a regular cycle can remain married to her husband as there is a concern that having sex will bring on her period.
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Judith Rosenfeld Hochstadter, Gittel bat Kreindel v’Binyamin BenZion on her second yahrzeit. “Her curiosity, humor, intellect and devout nature continues to inspire and hold us accountable. We miss her and think of her in all our pursuits, especially in our Hadran learning, where she would be glad to know that she didn’t have to boil more than 1 egg at a time!!”
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This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Judith Rosenfeld Hochstadter, Gittel bat Kreindel v’Binyamin BenZion on her second yahrzeit. “Her curiosity, humor, intellect and devout nature continues to inspire and hold us accountable. We miss her and think of her in all our pursuits, especially in our Hadran learning, where she would be glad to know that she didn’t have to boil more than 1 egg at a time!!”
Niddah 12
בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַבִּי זֵירָא מֵרַב יְהוּדָה: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק עַצְמָהּ לְבַעְלָהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לֹא תִּבְדּוֹק. וְתִבְדּוֹק — וּמָה בְּכָךְ? אִם כֵּן — לִבּוֹ נוֹקְפוֹ וּפוֹרֵשׁ.
§ Rabbi Zeira raised a dilemma before Rav Yehuda: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should examine herself before engaging in intercourse with her husband? Rav Yehuda said to him: She should not examine herself. Rabbi Zeira asked: And let her examine herself; what would be the problem with that? Rav Yehuda answered: If so, the heart of a scrupulous husband might strike him with pangs of conscience over sins that he could transgress, and he will separate from his wife out of fear that she is impure.
בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַבִּי אַבָּא מֵרַב הוּנָא: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק עַצְמָהּ כְּשִׁיעוּר וֶסֶת, כְּדֵי לְחַיֵּיב בַּעְלָהּ חַטָּאת?
Rabbi Abba raised a similar dilemma before Rav Huna: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should examine herself immediately after engaging in intercourse, within the minimum period of time needed for the onset of menstruation, in order to render her husband liable to bring a sin offering for engaging in intercourse with a menstruating woman?
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִי מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לַהּ לִבְדִיקָה כְּשִׁיעוּר וֶסֶת? וְהָתַנְיָא: אֵיזֶהוּ שִׁיעוּר וֶסֶת? מָשָׁל לְשַׁמָּשׁ וָעֵד שֶׁעוֹמְדִים בְּצַד הַמַּשְׁקוֹף, בִּיצִיאַת הַשַּׁמָּשׁ נִכְנַס עֵד.
Rav Huna said to him: Can you find a case where it is physically possible to perform a full examination after intercourse within the period of time needed for the onset of menstruation? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: What is the period of time needed for the onset of menstruation? This is comparable to a male organ and an examination cloth that are standing alongside the doorpost, i.e., at the entrance to the vagina; upon the exit of the organ the examination cloth immediately enters.
הֱוֵי: וֶסֶת שֶׁאָמְרוּ — לְקִנּוּחַ, וְלֹא לִבְדִיקָה. אֶלָּא מַהוּ שֶׁתְּקַנֵּחַ?
The Gemara explains: It is apparent that the period of time that they stated is the time required for an external wipe, and not for a full internal examination. Therefore, if she did an internal examination and found blood, one cannot be certain that she was already menstruating during intercourse and thereby render the husband liable to bring a sin offering. Rather, this is Rabbi Abba’s dilemma: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should wipe herself immediately after engaging in intercourse? Since this action can be performed quickly, if she were to find blood her husband would be liable to bring a sin offering.
אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי, הָכִי בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק עַצְמָהּ כְּדֵי לְחַיֵּיב בַּעְלָהּ אָשָׁם תָּלוּי? אָמַר לוֹ: לֹא תִּבְדּוֹק. וְתִבְדּוֹק, וּמָה בְּכָךְ? אִם כֵּן, לִבּוֹ נוֹקְפוֹ וּפוֹרֵשׁ.
Some say that this is the dilemma that Rabbi Abba raised before Rav Huna: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should examine herself immediately after engaging in intercourse, in order to render her husband liable to bring a provisional guilt offering brought by one who is uncertain as to whether he committed a sin that requires a sin offering? Rav Huna said to him: She should not examine herself. Rabbi Abba asked: And let her examine herself; what would be the problem with that? Rav Huna answered: If so, the heart of a scrupulous husband might strike him with pangs of conscience over sins that he could transgress, and he will separate from his wife out of fear that she is impure.
וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁהִיא עוֹבֶרֶת וְכוּ׳. אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: וְזֶהוּ עִדָּן שֶׁל צְנוּעוֹת. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר מֶמֶל לְרַבִּי אַמֵּי: תַּנָּא תָּנֵי ״צְרִיכוֹת״, וְאַתְּ תָּנֵי ״צְנוּעוֹת״! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שֶׁאֲנִי אוֹמֵר כׇּל הַמְקַיֵּים דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים נִקְרָא ״צָנוּעַ״.
§ The mishna teaches: And she is also required to examine herself at a time that she is about to engage in intercourse with her husband. Rabbi Ami says that Rabbi Yannai says: And this examination performed before intercourse is known as: The examination cloth of virtuous women, as this examination is not strictly required. Rabbi Abba bar Memel said to Rabbi Ami: The tanna teaches that women are required to perform this examination, and yet you teach that only virtuous women perform it. Rabbi Ami said to him: Yes, as I say that anyone who fulfills the statements of the Sages is called virtuous. Rabbi Ami did not mean that this examination is beyond the letter of the law. He was simply praising those who abide by the established halakha.
אָמַר רָבָא: וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ מְקַיֵּים דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים — ״צָנוּעַ״ הוּא דְּלָא מִקְּרֵי, הָא ״רָשָׁע״ לָא מִקְּרֵי? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: צְנוּעוֹת — עַד שֶׁבָּדְקוּ בּוֹ עַצְמָן לִפְנֵי תַּשְׁמִישׁ זֶה, אֵין בּוֹדְקוֹת בּוֹ לִפְנֵי תַּשְׁמִישׁ אַחֵר, וְשֶׁאֵינָן צְנוּעוֹת — בּוֹדְקוֹת וְלֹא אִיכְפַּת לָהֶן.
With regard to Rabbi Ami’s claim, Rava says: And according to your opinion, with regard to one who does not fulfill the statements of the Sages, he is not called virtuous. But this indicates that he is not called wicked either. This cannot be correct, as one who does not heed the instructions of the Sages is certainly wicked. Rather, Rava said: Virtuous women are those who do not reuse the examination cloth that they used to examine themselves before this intercourse. Even if no blood was found on it, they do not examine themselves with it prior to another act of intercourse, as once it was used once, it is not as clean as before. And those who are not virtuous women reuse the same examination cloths and examine themselves with them and they are not particular about this matter.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא, אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר יִרְמְיָה, אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ עַד שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי זֵירָא לְרַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר יִרְמְיָה: אֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת — לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה?
§ The Gemara returns to the matter itself: Rabbi Zeira says that Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya says that Shmuel says: With regard to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, it is forbidden for her to engage in intercourse until she examines herself. Rabbi Zeira said to Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya: Does Shmuel mean that if she does not have a fixed menstrual cycle she is required to perform an examination, but if she has a fixed menstrual cycle she is not required to perform an examination? This is difficult, as the mishna teaches that even a woman with a fixed menstrual cycle is required to perform an examination before she engages in intercourse.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת — עֵרָה בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, יְשֵׁנָה לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה; אֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — בֵּין עֵרָה בֵּין יְשֵׁנָה בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה.
Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya said to him: The mishna means that if she has a fixed menstrual cycle and she is awake, she is required to perform an examination; if she is sleeping she is not required to perform an examination before intercourse, as this would involve much effort. If she does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, then whether she is awake or sleeping, she is required to perform an examination.
אָמַר רָבָא: וְלֵימָא לֵיהּ — יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת, לִטְהָרוֹת בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, לְבַעְלָהּ לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה; אֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת, אֲפִילּוּ לְבַעְלָהּ נָמֵי בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה. וּמִדְּלָא אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָכִי, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ קָסָבַר שְׁמוּאֵל: כֹּל לְבַעְלַהּ לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה.
Rava says: And let Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya say a different answer to Rabbi Zeira: Shmuel means that if she has a fixed menstrual cycle, then in the case of a woman who handles pure items, she is required to perform an examination for the sake of intercourse as well. If she does not handle pure items, then for the sake of intercourse with her husband alone she is not required to perform an examination. By contrast, if she does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, then she is required to perform an examination even for the sake of intercourse with her husband. Rava concludes: And from the fact that Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya did not say this answer, one can learn from it that Shmuel holds that in any case where an examination is only for the purpose of intercourse with her husband, she is not required to perform an examination.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חַמָּרִין וּפוֹעֲלִין, וְהַבָּאִין מִבֵּית הָאֵבֶל וּמִבֵּית הַמִּשְׁתֶּה — נְשֵׁיהֶם לָהֶם בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, וּבָאִין וְשׁוֹהִין עִמָּהֶם, בֵּין יְשֵׁנוֹת בֵּין עֵרוֹת. בַּמֶּה דְבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? שֶׁהִנִּיחָן בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, אֲבָל הִנִּיחָן בְּחֶזְקַת טוּמְאָה — לְעוֹלָם הִיא טְמֵאָה, עַד שֶׁתֹּאמַר לוֹ ״טְהוֹרָה אָנִי״.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to donkey drivers and laborers who return home, and those who come home from the house of mourning or from the house of feasting for a wedding, their wives remain in a presumptive status of purity. And therefore they may come and remain with them, i.e., engage in intercourse with them, whether they are sleeping or awake. The baraita clarifies: In what case is this statement said? When the husbands left their wives in a presumptive state of purity. But if the husbands left them in a presumptive state of impurity, she remains forever in a status of impurity, until she says to him: I am ritually pure.
וְהָא שְׁמוּאֵל בְּמַאי מוֹקֵי לַהּ? אִי בְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת — קַשְׁיָא עֵרָה, וְאִי בְּשֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — קַשְׁיָא בֵּין עֵרָה בֵּין יְשֵׁנָה!
The Gemara asks: But according to Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya, with regard to what case does Shmuel interpret this baraita? If the baraita is dealing with a woman who has a fixed menstrual cycle, it is difficult, as Shmuel holds that such a woman who is awake is required to perform an examination, whereas the baraita indicates that no examination is necessary. And if the baraita is referring to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, it is also difficult, as Shmuel holds that she always is required to perform an examination, whether she is awake or sleeping.
לְעוֹלָם בְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁתְּבָעָהּ — אֵין לְךָ בְּדִיקָה גְּדוֹלָה מִזּוֹ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְרָבָא: מַהוּ לְמֶעְבַּד כִּי הָא מַתְנִיתָא?
The Gemara answers: Actually, the baraita is referring to a case where she has a fixed menstrual cycle, and since her husband came home from his travels and requested of her that they engage in intercourse, there is no greater examination than this. Since she had time to consider the matter while he was asking her, she would have remembered had she sensed the onset of her menstrual cycle, whereas under regular circumstances she might not have time to recall. Based upon this explanation, Rav Pappa said to Rava: What is the halakha with regard to acting in accordance with this baraita? Perhaps it is necessary to wake her and ask her whether she is ritually pure.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: סוּדָנִי, לָא, דְּמִגַּנְיָא בְּאַפֵּיהּ. אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: שְׁאֵלְתִּינְהוּ לְאִינָשֵׁי בֵּיתֵיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא וּדְרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, כִּי אֲתוֹ רַבָּנַן מִבֵּי רַב מַצְרְכִי לְכוּ בְּדִיקָה? וַאֲמַרוּ לִי: לָא. וְלִישַׁיְּילִינְהוּ לְדִידְהוּ! דִּילְמָא אִינְהוּ קָא מַחְמְירִי אַנַּפְשַׁיְיהוּ.
Rava said to Rav Pappa: Wise one [sudani]! No, won’t she be demeaned before him? It is embarrassing for her if she is awoken and has to think about whether or not she is pure. Rav Kahana says: I asked the members of the households, i.e., the wives, of Rav Pappa and of Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua: When the Sages, your husbands, came home from the study hall, did they require you to perform an examination prior to intercourse? And they said to me: No. The Gemara asks: But why ask their wives? Why not ask those Sages themselves? The Gemara answers: Perhaps they might rule leniently for others, while acting stringently with themselves. Therefore, their wives were asked, to determine how the Sages conducted themselves in their personal lives.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ, וְאֵין לָהּ לֹא כְּתוּבָּה, וְלֹא פֵּירוֹת, וְלֹא מְזוֹנוֹת, וְלֹא בְּלָאוֹת, וּמוֹצִיא וְלֹא מַחְזִיר עוֹלָמִית, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, she is forbidden to engage in intercourse, and she does not have the right to receive payment of her marriage contract if divorced or widowed, nor is she entitled to payment from her husband for the produce of her property that he consumed, nor is she entitled to provisions for her sustenance from his estate, nor does she get back her worn clothes or other items she brought with her to her marriage as part of her dowry. And furthermore, her husband must divorce her and he may never remarry her. This is the statement of Rabbi Meir.
רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אוֹמֵר: מְשַׁמֶּשֶׁת בִּשְׁנֵי עִדִּים, הֵן עִוְּתוּהָ, הֵן תִּקְּנוּהָ. מִשּׁוּם אַבָּא חָנָן אָמְרוּ: אוֹי לוֹ לְבַעְלָהּ.
Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus says: She is permitted to engage in intercourse with her husband, but she must examine herself with two examination cloths, one prior to intercourse and one afterward. They may be to her detriment if she finds blood on the cloths, or they may lead to her betterment, since if she finds no blood she is permitted to her husband. They said in the name of Abba Ḥanan: Woe to her husband!
אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ — דִּילְמָא מְקַלְקְלָה לֵיהּ. וְאֵין לָהּ כְּתוּבָּה — כֵּיוָן דְּלָא חַזְיָא לְבִיאָה, לֵית לַהּ כְּתוּבָּה.
The Gemara explains each clause of the baraita: She is forbidden to engage in intercourse, as perhaps she will ruin her husband if she emits blood during intercourse. And with regard to the halakha that she does not have the right to receive payment of her marriage contract, the reason is that since she is not fit for intercourse, she is not entitled to payment of her marriage contract.
וְלֹא פֵּירוֹת, וְלֹא מְזוֹנוֹת, וְלֹא בְּלָאוֹת — תְּנָאֵי כְּתוּבָּה כִּכְתוּבָּה דָּמוּ.
The Gemara continues its explanation: And she is not entitled to payment for the produce of her property, nor is she entitled to provisions for her sustenance from his estate, nor does she get back her worn clothes. The reason for all these is because stipulations in the marriage contract are considered like the marriage contract itself. Since she is not entitled to a marriage contract, she is likewise not entitled to these additional provisions that are stipulated in the marriage contract.
וְיוֹצִיא, וְלֹא יַחְזִיר עוֹלָמִית. פְּשִׁיטָא! לָא צְרִיכָא — דַּהֲדַרָה וְאִתַּקַּנָה. מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא לַיהְדְּרַהּ? קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן, דְּזִימְנִין דְּאָזְלָא וּמִנַּסְבָא וּמִתַּקְנָא.
The Gemara analyzes the next clause in the baraita: Her husband must divorce her and he may never remarry her. The Gemara asks: Isn’t that obvious? The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to teach this in a case where her situation was subsequently amended, i.e., she established a fixed menstrual cycle. Lest you say that he may remarry her, the baraita teaches us that this is not permitted, as sometimes such a woman might go and marry someone else and her status is subsequently amended.
וְאָמַר: ״אִילּוּ הָיִיתִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁכָּךְ הָיָה, אֲפִילּוּ הֱיִיתֶם נוֹתְנִין לִי מֵאָה מָנֶה — לֹא הָיִיתִי מְגָרְשָׁהּ!״, וְנִמְצָא גֵּט בָּטֵל, וּבָנֶיהָ מַמְזֵרִין.
And the problem in this scenario is that her first husband might say: If I would have known that it is like this, that she would be cured, even if you would have given me one hundred times one hundred dinars to divorce her I would not have divorced her. And if so, the bill of divorce will be found to be void, and her children from her second husband will be considered mamzerim. Therefore it must be made clear to him from the outset that this divorce is final.
מִשּׁוּם אַבָּא חָנָן אָמְרוּ: ״אוֹי לוֹ לְבַעְלָהּ״. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר אֲמַר לֵיהּ, דְּבָעֵי לְאַגְבּוֹיַהּ כְּתוּבְּתַהּ. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס קָאָמַר לֵיהּ, דִּמְקַלְקְלָה לֵיהּ.
The Gemara analyzes the final clause of the baraita: They said in the name of Abba Ḥanan: Woe to her husband! Some say that he said this to Rabbi Meir, as Abba Ḥanan maintains that the husband is required to settle her payment of her marriage contract upon their divorce. And some say that he said this to Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus, since Abba Ḥanan disagrees with his opinion and holds that it is forbidden to engage in intercourse with her, as perhaps she will ruin him if they engage in intercourse when she is menstruating.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס. וּבְמַאי? אִי בַּעֲסוּקָה בִּטְהָרוֹת, הָא אַמְרַהּ שְׁמוּאֵל חֲדָא זִימְנָא!
Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus. The Gemara asks: And with regard to what case did Shmuel issue this ruling of halakha? The Gemara elaborates: If it is referring to a woman who is engaged in handling ritually pure items, didn’t Shmuel already say on another occasion that a woman without a fixed menstrual cycle must examine herself prior to intercourse?
וְאִי בְּשֶׁאֵינָהּ עֲסוּקָה בִּטְהָרוֹת, הָא אָמַר כֹּל לְבַעְלַהּ לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר יִרְמְיָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: ״אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ עַד שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק״, וְאוֹקִימְנָא לָהּ בַּעֲסוּקָה בִּטְהָרוֹת! מַאן דְּמַתְנֵי הָא לָא מַתְנֵי הָא.
And if it is referring to a woman who is not engaged in handling ritually pure items, doesn’t Shmuel say that in any case where an examination is only for the purpose of intercourse with her husband, not for handling pure items, she is not required to perform an examination? As Rabbi Zeira said that Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya says that Shmuel says: A woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle is forbidden to engage in intercourse until she examines herself, and we interpreted this statement as referring to cases where she is engaged in handling ritually pure items. The Gemara answers: He who teaches this does not teach that, i.e., Shmuel’s ruling is in fact referring to a woman engaged in handling pure items, and the two rulings were cited in his name by different Sages.
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ שַׁמַּאי אוֹמֵר.
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I am a Reform rabbi and took Talmud courses in rabbinical school, but I knew there was so much more to learn. It felt inauthentic to serve as a rabbi without having read the entire Talmud, so when the opportunity arose to start Daf Yomi in 2020, I dove in! Thanks to Hadran, Daf Yomi has enriched my understanding of rabbinic Judaism and deepened my love of Jewish text & tradition. Todah rabbah!
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Since I started in January of 2020, Daf Yomi has changed my life. It connects me to Jews all over the world, especially learned women. It makes cooking, gardening, and folding laundry into acts of Torah study. Daf Yomi enables me to participate in a conversation with and about our heritage that has been going on for more than 2000 years.
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I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!
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I started Daf during the pandemic. I listened to a number of podcasts by various Rebbeim until one day, I discovered Rabbanit Farbers podcast. Subsequently I joined the Hadran family in Eruvin. Not the easiest place to begin, Rabbanit Farber made it all understandable and fun. The online live group has bonded together and have really become a supportive, encouraging family.
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My husband learns Daf, my son learns Daf, my son-in-law learns Daf.
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I had never heard of Daf Yomi and after reading the book, The Weight of Ink, I explored more about it. I discovered that it was only 6 months before a whole new cycle started and I was determined to give it a try. I tried to get a friend to join me on the journey but after the first few weeks they all dropped it. I haven’t missed a day of reading and of listening to the podcast.
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I started the daf at the beginning of this cycle in January 2020. My husband, my children, grandchildren and siblings have been very supportive. As someone who learned and taught Tanach and mefarshim for many years, it has been an amazing adventure to complete the six sedarim of Mishnah, and now to study Talmud on a daily basis along with Rabbanit Michelle and the wonderful women of Hadran.
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Ruth Leah Kahan
Ra’anana, Israel
Niddah 12
בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַבִּי זֵירָא מֵרַב יְהוּדָה: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק עַצְמָהּ לְבַעְלָהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לֹא תִּבְדּוֹק. וְתִבְדּוֹק — וּמָה בְּכָךְ? אִם כֵּן — לִבּוֹ נוֹקְפוֹ וּפוֹרֵשׁ.
§ Rabbi Zeira raised a dilemma before Rav Yehuda: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should examine herself before engaging in intercourse with her husband? Rav Yehuda said to him: She should not examine herself. Rabbi Zeira asked: And let her examine herself; what would be the problem with that? Rav Yehuda answered: If so, the heart of a scrupulous husband might strike him with pangs of conscience over sins that he could transgress, and he will separate from his wife out of fear that she is impure.
בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ רַבִּי אַבָּא מֵרַב הוּנָא: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק עַצְמָהּ כְּשִׁיעוּר וֶסֶת, כְּדֵי לְחַיֵּיב בַּעְלָהּ חַטָּאת?
Rabbi Abba raised a similar dilemma before Rav Huna: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should examine herself immediately after engaging in intercourse, within the minimum period of time needed for the onset of menstruation, in order to render her husband liable to bring a sin offering for engaging in intercourse with a menstruating woman?
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִי מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לַהּ לִבְדִיקָה כְּשִׁיעוּר וֶסֶת? וְהָתַנְיָא: אֵיזֶהוּ שִׁיעוּר וֶסֶת? מָשָׁל לְשַׁמָּשׁ וָעֵד שֶׁעוֹמְדִים בְּצַד הַמַּשְׁקוֹף, בִּיצִיאַת הַשַּׁמָּשׁ נִכְנַס עֵד.
Rav Huna said to him: Can you find a case where it is physically possible to perform a full examination after intercourse within the period of time needed for the onset of menstruation? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: What is the period of time needed for the onset of menstruation? This is comparable to a male organ and an examination cloth that are standing alongside the doorpost, i.e., at the entrance to the vagina; upon the exit of the organ the examination cloth immediately enters.
הֱוֵי: וֶסֶת שֶׁאָמְרוּ — לְקִנּוּחַ, וְלֹא לִבְדִיקָה. אֶלָּא מַהוּ שֶׁתְּקַנֵּחַ?
The Gemara explains: It is apparent that the period of time that they stated is the time required for an external wipe, and not for a full internal examination. Therefore, if she did an internal examination and found blood, one cannot be certain that she was already menstruating during intercourse and thereby render the husband liable to bring a sin offering. Rather, this is Rabbi Abba’s dilemma: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should wipe herself immediately after engaging in intercourse? Since this action can be performed quickly, if she were to find blood her husband would be liable to bring a sin offering.
אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי, הָכִי בְּעָא מִינֵּיהּ: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק עַצְמָהּ כְּדֵי לְחַיֵּיב בַּעְלָהּ אָשָׁם תָּלוּי? אָמַר לוֹ: לֹא תִּבְדּוֹק. וְתִבְדּוֹק, וּמָה בְּכָךְ? אִם כֵּן, לִבּוֹ נוֹקְפוֹ וּפוֹרֵשׁ.
Some say that this is the dilemma that Rabbi Abba raised before Rav Huna: What is the halakha as to whether a woman should examine herself immediately after engaging in intercourse, in order to render her husband liable to bring a provisional guilt offering brought by one who is uncertain as to whether he committed a sin that requires a sin offering? Rav Huna said to him: She should not examine herself. Rabbi Abba asked: And let her examine herself; what would be the problem with that? Rav Huna answered: If so, the heart of a scrupulous husband might strike him with pangs of conscience over sins that he could transgress, and he will separate from his wife out of fear that she is impure.
וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁהִיא עוֹבֶרֶת וְכוּ׳. אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי אָמַר רַבִּי יַנַּאי: וְזֶהוּ עִדָּן שֶׁל צְנוּעוֹת. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר מֶמֶל לְרַבִּי אַמֵּי: תַּנָּא תָּנֵי ״צְרִיכוֹת״, וְאַתְּ תָּנֵי ״צְנוּעוֹת״! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: שֶׁאֲנִי אוֹמֵר כׇּל הַמְקַיֵּים דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים נִקְרָא ״צָנוּעַ״.
§ The mishna teaches: And she is also required to examine herself at a time that she is about to engage in intercourse with her husband. Rabbi Ami says that Rabbi Yannai says: And this examination performed before intercourse is known as: The examination cloth of virtuous women, as this examination is not strictly required. Rabbi Abba bar Memel said to Rabbi Ami: The tanna teaches that women are required to perform this examination, and yet you teach that only virtuous women perform it. Rabbi Ami said to him: Yes, as I say that anyone who fulfills the statements of the Sages is called virtuous. Rabbi Ami did not mean that this examination is beyond the letter of the law. He was simply praising those who abide by the established halakha.
אָמַר רָבָא: וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ מְקַיֵּים דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים — ״צָנוּעַ״ הוּא דְּלָא מִקְּרֵי, הָא ״רָשָׁע״ לָא מִקְּרֵי? אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: צְנוּעוֹת — עַד שֶׁבָּדְקוּ בּוֹ עַצְמָן לִפְנֵי תַּשְׁמִישׁ זֶה, אֵין בּוֹדְקוֹת בּוֹ לִפְנֵי תַּשְׁמִישׁ אַחֵר, וְשֶׁאֵינָן צְנוּעוֹת — בּוֹדְקוֹת וְלֹא אִיכְפַּת לָהֶן.
With regard to Rabbi Ami’s claim, Rava says: And according to your opinion, with regard to one who does not fulfill the statements of the Sages, he is not called virtuous. But this indicates that he is not called wicked either. This cannot be correct, as one who does not heed the instructions of the Sages is certainly wicked. Rather, Rava said: Virtuous women are those who do not reuse the examination cloth that they used to examine themselves before this intercourse. Even if no blood was found on it, they do not examine themselves with it prior to another act of intercourse, as once it was used once, it is not as clean as before. And those who are not virtuous women reuse the same examination cloths and examine themselves with them and they are not particular about this matter.
גּוּפָא, אָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא, אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר יִרְמְיָה, אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ עַד שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי זֵירָא לְרַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר יִרְמְיָה: אֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת — לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה?
§ The Gemara returns to the matter itself: Rabbi Zeira says that Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya says that Shmuel says: With regard to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, it is forbidden for her to engage in intercourse until she examines herself. Rabbi Zeira said to Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya: Does Shmuel mean that if she does not have a fixed menstrual cycle she is required to perform an examination, but if she has a fixed menstrual cycle she is not required to perform an examination? This is difficult, as the mishna teaches that even a woman with a fixed menstrual cycle is required to perform an examination before she engages in intercourse.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת — עֵרָה בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, יְשֵׁנָה לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה; אֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — בֵּין עֵרָה בֵּין יְשֵׁנָה בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה.
Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya said to him: The mishna means that if she has a fixed menstrual cycle and she is awake, she is required to perform an examination; if she is sleeping she is not required to perform an examination before intercourse, as this would involve much effort. If she does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, then whether she is awake or sleeping, she is required to perform an examination.
אָמַר רָבָא: וְלֵימָא לֵיהּ — יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת, לִטְהָרוֹת בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, לְבַעְלָהּ לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה; אֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת, אֲפִילּוּ לְבַעְלָהּ נָמֵי בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה. וּמִדְּלָא אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָכִי, שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ קָסָבַר שְׁמוּאֵל: כֹּל לְבַעְלַהּ לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה.
Rava says: And let Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya say a different answer to Rabbi Zeira: Shmuel means that if she has a fixed menstrual cycle, then in the case of a woman who handles pure items, she is required to perform an examination for the sake of intercourse as well. If she does not handle pure items, then for the sake of intercourse with her husband alone she is not required to perform an examination. By contrast, if she does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, then she is required to perform an examination even for the sake of intercourse with her husband. Rava concludes: And from the fact that Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya did not say this answer, one can learn from it that Shmuel holds that in any case where an examination is only for the purpose of intercourse with her husband, she is not required to perform an examination.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חַמָּרִין וּפוֹעֲלִין, וְהַבָּאִין מִבֵּית הָאֵבֶל וּמִבֵּית הַמִּשְׁתֶּה — נְשֵׁיהֶם לָהֶם בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, וּבָאִין וְשׁוֹהִין עִמָּהֶם, בֵּין יְשֵׁנוֹת בֵּין עֵרוֹת. בַּמֶּה דְבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? שֶׁהִנִּיחָן בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, אֲבָל הִנִּיחָן בְּחֶזְקַת טוּמְאָה — לְעוֹלָם הִיא טְמֵאָה, עַד שֶׁתֹּאמַר לוֹ ״טְהוֹרָה אָנִי״.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to donkey drivers and laborers who return home, and those who come home from the house of mourning or from the house of feasting for a wedding, their wives remain in a presumptive status of purity. And therefore they may come and remain with them, i.e., engage in intercourse with them, whether they are sleeping or awake. The baraita clarifies: In what case is this statement said? When the husbands left their wives in a presumptive state of purity. But if the husbands left them in a presumptive state of impurity, she remains forever in a status of impurity, until she says to him: I am ritually pure.
וְהָא שְׁמוּאֵל בְּמַאי מוֹקֵי לַהּ? אִי בְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת — קַשְׁיָא עֵרָה, וְאִי בְּשֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — קַשְׁיָא בֵּין עֵרָה בֵּין יְשֵׁנָה!
The Gemara asks: But according to Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya, with regard to what case does Shmuel interpret this baraita? If the baraita is dealing with a woman who has a fixed menstrual cycle, it is difficult, as Shmuel holds that such a woman who is awake is required to perform an examination, whereas the baraita indicates that no examination is necessary. And if the baraita is referring to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, it is also difficult, as Shmuel holds that she always is required to perform an examination, whether she is awake or sleeping.
לְעוֹלָם בְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁתְּבָעָהּ — אֵין לְךָ בְּדִיקָה גְּדוֹלָה מִזּוֹ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְרָבָא: מַהוּ לְמֶעְבַּד כִּי הָא מַתְנִיתָא?
The Gemara answers: Actually, the baraita is referring to a case where she has a fixed menstrual cycle, and since her husband came home from his travels and requested of her that they engage in intercourse, there is no greater examination than this. Since she had time to consider the matter while he was asking her, she would have remembered had she sensed the onset of her menstrual cycle, whereas under regular circumstances she might not have time to recall. Based upon this explanation, Rav Pappa said to Rava: What is the halakha with regard to acting in accordance with this baraita? Perhaps it is necessary to wake her and ask her whether she is ritually pure.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: סוּדָנִי, לָא, דְּמִגַּנְיָא בְּאַפֵּיהּ. אָמַר רַב כָּהֲנָא: שְׁאֵלְתִּינְהוּ לְאִינָשֵׁי בֵּיתֵיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא וּדְרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, כִּי אֲתוֹ רַבָּנַן מִבֵּי רַב מַצְרְכִי לְכוּ בְּדִיקָה? וַאֲמַרוּ לִי: לָא. וְלִישַׁיְּילִינְהוּ לְדִידְהוּ! דִּילְמָא אִינְהוּ קָא מַחְמְירִי אַנַּפְשַׁיְיהוּ.
Rava said to Rav Pappa: Wise one [sudani]! No, won’t she be demeaned before him? It is embarrassing for her if she is awoken and has to think about whether or not she is pure. Rav Kahana says: I asked the members of the households, i.e., the wives, of Rav Pappa and of Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua: When the Sages, your husbands, came home from the study hall, did they require you to perform an examination prior to intercourse? And they said to me: No. The Gemara asks: But why ask their wives? Why not ask those Sages themselves? The Gemara answers: Perhaps they might rule leniently for others, while acting stringently with themselves. Therefore, their wives were asked, to determine how the Sages conducted themselves in their personal lives.
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת — אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ, וְאֵין לָהּ לֹא כְּתוּבָּה, וְלֹא פֵּירוֹת, וְלֹא מְזוֹנוֹת, וְלֹא בְּלָאוֹת, וּמוֹצִיא וְלֹא מַחְזִיר עוֹלָמִית, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר.
§ The Sages taught in a baraita: With regard to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, she is forbidden to engage in intercourse, and she does not have the right to receive payment of her marriage contract if divorced or widowed, nor is she entitled to payment from her husband for the produce of her property that he consumed, nor is she entitled to provisions for her sustenance from his estate, nor does she get back her worn clothes or other items she brought with her to her marriage as part of her dowry. And furthermore, her husband must divorce her and he may never remarry her. This is the statement of Rabbi Meir.
רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אוֹמֵר: מְשַׁמֶּשֶׁת בִּשְׁנֵי עִדִּים, הֵן עִוְּתוּהָ, הֵן תִּקְּנוּהָ. מִשּׁוּם אַבָּא חָנָן אָמְרוּ: אוֹי לוֹ לְבַעְלָהּ.
Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus says: She is permitted to engage in intercourse with her husband, but she must examine herself with two examination cloths, one prior to intercourse and one afterward. They may be to her detriment if she finds blood on the cloths, or they may lead to her betterment, since if she finds no blood she is permitted to her husband. They said in the name of Abba Ḥanan: Woe to her husband!
אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ — דִּילְמָא מְקַלְקְלָה לֵיהּ. וְאֵין לָהּ כְּתוּבָּה — כֵּיוָן דְּלָא חַזְיָא לְבִיאָה, לֵית לַהּ כְּתוּבָּה.
The Gemara explains each clause of the baraita: She is forbidden to engage in intercourse, as perhaps she will ruin her husband if she emits blood during intercourse. And with regard to the halakha that she does not have the right to receive payment of her marriage contract, the reason is that since she is not fit for intercourse, she is not entitled to payment of her marriage contract.
וְלֹא פֵּירוֹת, וְלֹא מְזוֹנוֹת, וְלֹא בְּלָאוֹת — תְּנָאֵי כְּתוּבָּה כִּכְתוּבָּה דָּמוּ.
The Gemara continues its explanation: And she is not entitled to payment for the produce of her property, nor is she entitled to provisions for her sustenance from his estate, nor does she get back her worn clothes. The reason for all these is because stipulations in the marriage contract are considered like the marriage contract itself. Since she is not entitled to a marriage contract, she is likewise not entitled to these additional provisions that are stipulated in the marriage contract.
וְיוֹצִיא, וְלֹא יַחְזִיר עוֹלָמִית. פְּשִׁיטָא! לָא צְרִיכָא — דַּהֲדַרָה וְאִתַּקַּנָה. מַהוּ דְּתֵימָא לַיהְדְּרַהּ? קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן, דְּזִימְנִין דְּאָזְלָא וּמִנַּסְבָא וּמִתַּקְנָא.
The Gemara analyzes the next clause in the baraita: Her husband must divorce her and he may never remarry her. The Gemara asks: Isn’t that obvious? The Gemara answers: No, it is necessary to teach this in a case where her situation was subsequently amended, i.e., she established a fixed menstrual cycle. Lest you say that he may remarry her, the baraita teaches us that this is not permitted, as sometimes such a woman might go and marry someone else and her status is subsequently amended.
וְאָמַר: ״אִילּוּ הָיִיתִי יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁכָּךְ הָיָה, אֲפִילּוּ הֱיִיתֶם נוֹתְנִין לִי מֵאָה מָנֶה — לֹא הָיִיתִי מְגָרְשָׁהּ!״, וְנִמְצָא גֵּט בָּטֵל, וּבָנֶיהָ מַמְזֵרִין.
And the problem in this scenario is that her first husband might say: If I would have known that it is like this, that she would be cured, even if you would have given me one hundred times one hundred dinars to divorce her I would not have divorced her. And if so, the bill of divorce will be found to be void, and her children from her second husband will be considered mamzerim. Therefore it must be made clear to him from the outset that this divorce is final.
מִשּׁוּם אַבָּא חָנָן אָמְרוּ: ״אוֹי לוֹ לְבַעְלָהּ״. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר אֲמַר לֵיהּ, דְּבָעֵי לְאַגְבּוֹיַהּ כְּתוּבְּתַהּ. אִיכָּא דְאָמְרִי לְרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס קָאָמַר לֵיהּ, דִּמְקַלְקְלָה לֵיהּ.
The Gemara analyzes the final clause of the baraita: They said in the name of Abba Ḥanan: Woe to her husband! Some say that he said this to Rabbi Meir, as Abba Ḥanan maintains that the husband is required to settle her payment of her marriage contract upon their divorce. And some say that he said this to Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus, since Abba Ḥanan disagrees with his opinion and holds that it is forbidden to engage in intercourse with her, as perhaps she will ruin him if they engage in intercourse when she is menstruating.
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הֲלָכָה כְּרַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס. וּבְמַאי? אִי בַּעֲסוּקָה בִּטְהָרוֹת, הָא אַמְרַהּ שְׁמוּאֵל חֲדָא זִימְנָא!
Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus. The Gemara asks: And with regard to what case did Shmuel issue this ruling of halakha? The Gemara elaborates: If it is referring to a woman who is engaged in handling ritually pure items, didn’t Shmuel already say on another occasion that a woman without a fixed menstrual cycle must examine herself prior to intercourse?
וְאִי בְּשֶׁאֵינָהּ עֲסוּקָה בִּטְהָרוֹת, הָא אָמַר כֹּל לְבַעְלַהּ לָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי זֵירָא אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא בַּר יִרְמְיָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: ״אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ עַד שֶׁתִּבְדּוֹק״, וְאוֹקִימְנָא לָהּ בַּעֲסוּקָה בִּטְהָרוֹת! מַאן דְּמַתְנֵי הָא לָא מַתְנֵי הָא.
And if it is referring to a woman who is not engaged in handling ritually pure items, doesn’t Shmuel say that in any case where an examination is only for the purpose of intercourse with her husband, not for handling pure items, she is not required to perform an examination? As Rabbi Zeira said that Rabbi Abba bar Yirmeya says that Shmuel says: A woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle is forbidden to engage in intercourse until she examines herself, and we interpreted this statement as referring to cases where she is engaged in handling ritually pure items. The Gemara answers: He who teaches this does not teach that, i.e., Shmuel’s ruling is in fact referring to a woman engaged in handling pure items, and the two rulings were cited in his name by different Sages.
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ שַׁמַּאי אוֹמֵר.
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