The mishna states that a woman during her ziva days has a presumptive status of pure. The gemara brings four different opinions regarding the relevance of this status – what is the mishna saying? The last explanation is that one cannot establish a regular cycle if it comes out during her ziva days. Rav Papa asks if maybe in any case one needs to be concerned she may bleed if it comes out during ziva days, even if she can’t establish it as a regular cycle. He tries to answer his own question but Rav Huna rejects his answer.
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Niddah 39
יָשְׁבָה לָהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה, שָׁגְגָה, נֶאֶנְסָה, הֵזִידָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה.
If a woman sat and did not examine herself every morning and evening to determine whether she emitted blood and is impure, it makes no difference whether she failed to examine herself unwittingly or due to circumstances beyond her control, or even if she acted intentionally and did not examine herself; she remains ritually pure. She is rendered impure only if she examined herself and was found to have emitted blood.
הִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ, וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — הֲרֵי זוֹ טְמֵאָה. רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אִם הָיְתָה בְּמַחֲבֵא, וְהִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ, וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — הֲרֵי זוֹ טְהוֹרָה, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחֲרָדָה מְסַלֶּקֶת אֶת הַדָּמִים.
By contrast, if the time of her menstrual cycle arrived, when she is required to examine herself, and she did not examine herself, that woman is ritually impure, as it is typical for a woman to discharge blood at that time. Rabbi Meir says: If a woman was in hiding from danger, and the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself on that day, that woman is pure, because fear drives away blood. There is therefore no concern that she might have emitted blood.
אֲבָל יְמֵי הַזָּב וְהַזָּבָה, וְשׁוֹמֶרֶת יוֹם כְּנֶגֶד יוֹם — הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ בְּחֶזְקַת טוּמְאָה.
But with regard to the seven clean days of the zav and the zava, and with regard to a woman who observes a clean day for a day she experiences a discharge during her days of ziva, if she fails to examine herself on those days, these women have a presumptive status of ritual impurity, as they already experienced a discharge.
גְּמָ’ לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: לוֹמַר שֶׁאֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה בְּדִיקָה. וְהָא מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: ״יָשְׁבָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה״ — מִכְּלָל דִּלְכַתְּחִלָּה בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה!
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that throughout the eleven days of ziva that follow the seven days of menstruation, a woman has the presumptive status of ritual purity. The Gemara asks: With regard to what halakha is this stated? Rav Yehuda says: This serves to say that she does not require an examination during these days. The Gemara objects: But from the fact that the latter clause teaches: If she sat and did not examine herself she remains ritually pure, it can be inferred that she requires examination ab initio.
סֵיפָא אֲתָאן לִימֵי נִדָּה, וְהָכִי קָאָמַר: כׇּל אַחַד עָשָׂר בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, וְלָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, אֲבָל בִּימֵי נִדָּתָהּ — בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה. יָשְׁבָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה, שָׁגְגָה, נֶאֶנְסָה, הֵזִידָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה.
The Gemara explains: In the latter clause we arrive at the case of a woman who is in the days of menstruation, not in the days of ziva. And this is what the mishna is saying: For all the eleven days of ziva that follow the days of menstruation, a woman has the presumptive status of ritual purity and she does not require examination. But during the days of her menstruation she requires examination. Nevertheless, if she sat and did not examine herself, whether unwittingly or due to circumstances beyond her control, or even if she acted intentionally and did not examine herself, she remains ritually pure.
רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר: לָא צְרִיכָא אֶלָּא לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר, דְּאָמַר: אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ. הָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּימֵי נִדָּתָהּ, אֲבָל בִּימֵי זִיבָתָהּ בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה קָיְימָא.
Rav Ḥisda said a different answer: The first clause of the mishna is necessary only for the opinion of Rabbi Meir, who said: With regard to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, she is forbidden to engage in intercourse, lest she emit blood during intercourse. The mishna is teaching that this statement applies only during the days of her menstruation, but during the days of her ziva even Rabbi Meir concedes that she stands in her presumptive status of purity and may engage in intercourse with her husband.
אִי הָכִי, אַמַּאי אָמַר רַבִּי מֵאִיר: יוֹצִיא וְלֹא יַחְזִיר עוֹלָמִית? דִּלְמָא אָתְיָא לְקַלְקוֹלֵאּ בִּימֵי נִדָּה.
The Gemara asks: If so, that even according to Rabbi Meir there are days in which a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle is permitted to engage in sexual intercourse with her husband, why did Rabbi Meir say that her husband must divorce her and he may never take her back, even if she eventually develops a fixed menstrual cycle? Let them engage in intercourse during the eleven days of ziva. The Gemara answers: He must divorce her lest the matter lead to failure during the days of menstruation, i.e., in case they come to engage in intercourse during the days of menstruation, when she might experience regular menstrual bleeding.
הָא מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: ״הִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה״ — מִכְּלָל דִּבְאִשָּׁה שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת עָסְקִינַן! חַסּוֹרֵי מִחַסְּרָא וְהָכִי קָתָנֵי: כׇּל אַחַד עָשָׂר בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, וְשַׁרְיָא לְבַעְלָהּ, וּבִימֵי נִדָּה אֲסוּרָה.
The Gemara objects: But from the fact that the latter clause teaches: If the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, that woman is ritually impure, it can be inferred that we are dealing with a woman who has a fixed menstrual cycle. The Gemara explains: The mishna is incomplete and this is what it is teaching: For all the eleven days of ziva that follow the days of menstruation, a woman has the presumptive status of ritual purity and she is permitted to her husband, but during the days of menstruation she is prohibited to her husband.
בַּמֶּה דְבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת, אֲבָל יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת מוּתֶּרֶת, וּצְרִיכָה בְּדִיקָה. יָשְׁבָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה, שָׁגְגָה, נֶאֶנְסָה, הֵזִידָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה. הִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְמֵאָה.
In what case is this statement said? In the case of a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, where there is a concern she might experience bleeding during any of the days of menstruation. But in the case of a woman who has a fixed menstrual cycle, she is permitted to engage in sexual intercourse with her husband, and she requires examination. Nevertheless, if she sat and did not examine herself, whether unwittingly or due to circumstances beyond her control, or even if she acted intentionally and did not examine herself, she remains ritually pure. If the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, she is impure.
הָא מִדְּסֵיפָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר, רֵישָׁא לָאו רַבִּי מֵאִיר! כּוּלַּהּ רַבִּי מֵאִיר הִיא, וְהָכִי קָאָמַר: אִם לֹא הָיְתָה בְּמַחֲבֵא וְהִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְמֵאָה, שֶׁרַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אִם הָיְתָה בְּמַחֲבֵא וְהִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה, שֶׁחֲרָדָה מְסַלֶּקֶת אֶת הַדָּמִים.
The Gemara objects: But from the fact that the last clause is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, it can be inferred that the first clause is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir. The Gemara explains that the entire mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, and this is what it is saying: If she was not in hiding and the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, she is impure, as Rabbi Meir says: If a woman was in hiding and the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, she is pure, as fear drives away blood.
רָבָא אָמַר: לוֹמַר שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְטַמְּאָה מֵעֵת לְעֵת.
Rava says a different explanation of the first clause of the mishna: The mishna is coming to say that if a woman experiences bleeding during the eleven days of ziva, as she previously had the presumptive status of purity she does not impart impurity retroactively for a twenty-four-hour period to any ritually pure items she touched. It is assumed that she did not emit any blood before this emission.
מֵיתִיבִי: הַנִּדָּה, וְהַזָּבָה, וְהַשּׁוֹמֶרֶת יוֹם כְּנֶגֶד יוֹם, וְהַיּוֹלֶדֶת — כּוּלָּן מְטַמְּאוֹת מֵעֵת לְעֵת. תְּיוּבְתָּא!
The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to a menstruating woman, and a zava, and a woman who observes a day for a day, and a woman who gave birth, they all impart impurity retroactively for a twenty-four-hour period. A woman who observes a day for a day is one who experiences bleeding for one or two days during her days of ziva, and the baraita teaches that even such a woman imparts impurity retroactively for a twenty-four-hour period. If so, this is a conclusive refutation of Rava’s explanation.
רַב הוּנָא בַּר חִיָּיא אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לוֹמַר שֶׁאֵינָהּ קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי זִיבָתָהּ. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: לָא שְׁמִיעַ לִי הָא שְׁמַעְתְּתָא.
Rav Huna bar Ḥiyya says another explanation of the first clause of the mishna in the name of Shmuel: The mishna is coming to say that a woman does not fix a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her ziva. In other words, a sighting during these days does not combine with sightings during the previous two periods of ziva to establish a fixed menstrual cycle. The Gemara relates that this statement was recited before Rav Yosef, who said: I did not hear this halakha from Shmuel.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: אַתְּ אֲמַרְתְּ נִיהֲלַן, וְאַהָא אֲמַרְתְּ לַן: הָיְתָה לְמוּדָה לִהְיוֹת רוֹאָה יוֹם חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר (יוֹם), וְשִׁינְּתָה לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים — זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין לְשַׁמֵּשׁ. שִׁינְּתָה פַּעֲמַיִם לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים — זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין.
Abaye said to him: But you yourself told us this halakha, and it was with regard to that mishna you told it to us, as we learned in a mishna (63b): If the woman was accustomed to see an emission of blood on the fifteenth day, so that this was her fixed menstrual cycle, and she deviated from her cycle to see an emission on the twentieth day, then on both this day, the fifteenth, and that day, the twentieth, it is prohibited for her to engage in sexual intercourse due to the concern that she might have an emission on either day. If she deviated from her cycle twice, to see an emission on the twentieth day, then on both this day and that day it is prohibited for her to engage in intercourse. If she deviates a third time to see on the twentieth she has established for herself a new fixed menstrual cycle.
וַאֲמַרְתְּ לַן עֲלַהּ, אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לָא שְׁנָא אֶלָּא חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר לִטְבִילָתָהּ, שֶׁהֵן עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁנַיִם לִרְאִיָּתָהּ, דְּהָתָם בִּימֵי נִדָּתָהּ קָאֵי לַהּ, אֲבָל חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר לִרְאִיָּתָהּ, דְּבִימֵי זִיבָתָהּ קָאֵי — לָא קָבְעָה.
Abaye continues: And you said to us with regard to this mishna that Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: They taught this halakha only with regard to a woman who normally experiences bleeding fifteen days from her immersion, which are twenty-two days from her sighting of menstrual blood. This means that there, she stands in her days of menstruation. But if she normally experiences bleeding fifteen days from her sighting of menstrual blood, so that she stands in her days of ziva, she has not fixed a menstrual cycle, and the previous cycle is uprooted even if she deviates from it only once.
אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: אַמְרִיתַהּ לִשְׁמַעְתָּא קַמֵּיהּ רַב יְהוּדָה מִדִּסְקַרְתָּא, מִקְבָּע לָא קָבְעָה, מֵיחָשׁ מַהוּ דְּנֵיחוּשׁ לַהּ?
§ With regard to the ruling that a woman’s menstrual cycle cannot be fixed during her days of ziva, Rav Pappa said: I said this halakha before Rav Yehuda of Diskarta, and I asked him for a clarification of the following matter: Granted, she does not fix a menstrual cycle during the days of ziva, and there is no need for three deviations to uproot her cycle; rather, it is uprooted by even one deviation. But what is the halakha with regard to whether we should be concerned that she might experience bleeding? In other words, if she normally experiences bleeding on a particular day during her days of ziva, must she avoid engaging in sexual intercourse with her husband on that day out of concern that she might emit blood?
אִישְׁתִּיק וְלָא אֲמַר לֵיהּ וְלָא מִידֵי. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: ״נֶחְזֵי אֲנַן״, הָיְתָה לְמוּדָה לִהְיוֹת רוֹאָה לְיוֹם חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר וְשִׁינְּתָה לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים — זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין.
Rav Yehuda of Diskarta was silent and did not say anything to Rav Pappa. Therefore, Rav Pappa said: Let us see and try to resolve this ourselves. The mishna cited above states: If the woman was accustomed to see an emission of blood on the fifteenth day, and she deviated from her cycle to see an emission on the twentieth day, then on both this day and that day it is prohibited for her to engage in sexual intercourse.
וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לָא שְׁנָא אֶלָּא חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר לִטְבִילָתָהּ, שֶׁהֵן עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁנַיִם לִרְאִיָּיתָהּ,
And with regard to this mishna, Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: They taught this halakha only with regard to a woman who normally experiences bleeding fifteen days from her immersion, which are twenty-two days from her sighting of menstrual blood, which means that there, she stands in her days of menstruation.
וְשִׁינְּתָה לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים וְשִׁבְעָה; דְּכִי הָדְרִי וְאָתוּ עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּי — קָיְימָא לַהּ בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי זִיבָתָהּ, וְקָתָנֵי: זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין — אַלְמָא דְּחָיְישִׁינַן לַהּ.
And when the mishna states that she deviated from her cycle and experienced bleeding on the twentieth day, it means she experienced bleeding twenty days from her immersion, i.e., twenty-seven days from her previous sighting, not twenty-two. This means that when twenty-two days again elapse from when she usually experiences bleeding, she stands within what is now the eleven days of her ziva. And the mishna teaches that both this, the twenty-second day, and that, the twenty-seventh day, are prohibited, despite the fact that the twenty-second day now stands during her days of ziva. Evidently, we are concerned for an emission of blood during the days of ziva if she is accustomed to experiencing bleeding on that day.
וְקָסָבַר רַב פָּפָּא: עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין — מֵעֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין מָנֵינַן, נִדָּה וּפִתְחָהּ — מֵעֶשְׂרִין וְשִׁבְעָה מָנֵינַן.
The Gemara elaborates: And Rav Pappa holds that we count twenty-two days of her menstrual cycle from twenty-two days, i.e., from when she usually begins to menstruate, whereas we count the beginning of the days of menstruation from day twenty-seven, when she actually experiences bleeding. Consequently, the twenty-second day of her normal menstrual cycle falls during the days of ziva, according to the actual day of menstruation.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לְרַב פָּפָּא: מִמַּאי? דִּלְמָא עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין נָמֵי מֵעֶשְׂרִין וְשִׁבְעָה מָנֵינַן, דְּכִי הָדְרִי וְאָתוּ עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין — קָיְימָא לַהּ בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ.
Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, said to Rav Pappa: From where do you know this is the correct reckoning of her days? Perhaps one also counts those twenty-two days from day twenty-seven, such that when twenty-two days again arrive from day twenty-seven, she stands within her days of menstruation. Accordingly, there is no proof from the mishna with regard to a sighting during the days of ziva.
וְהָכִי נָמֵי מִסְתַּבְּרָא; דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, הַאי תַּרְנְגוֹלְתָּא דְּרָמְיָא יוֹמָא וְכָבְשָׁה יוֹמָא, וְרָמְיָא יוֹמָא וְכָבְשָׁה יוֹמָא, וְכָבְשָׁה תְּרֵי יוֹמֵי וְרָמְיָא חַד יוֹמָא,
Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, adds: And so too, it is reasonable that the twenty-two days are counted from when she actually experiences bleeding. As if you do not say so, then consider the case of this chicken that normally lays an egg on one day and withholds an egg the next day, and lays an egg on the third day and withholds an egg on the fourth day. And the chicken deviated from its routine, so that after laying eggs on the first day and third day, it withheld an egg for two days and then laid an egg on one day, i.e., on the sixth day.
כִּי הָדְרָה נָקְטָה — כְּדִלְקַמֵּיהּ נָקְטָה, אוֹ כִּדְמֵעִיקָּרָא נָקְטָה? עַל כׇּרְחָךְ כְּדִלְקַמֵּיהּ נָקְטָה.
When this chicken again takes hold of its previous routine and starts laying an egg on one day and withholding an egg on the next, does it take hold of the order of the routine ahead of it, i.e., will it withhold an egg on the next day, or does it take hold of its routine as it was from the outset, so that it will lay an egg on the seventh day, as if there had been no deviation? Perforce it takes hold of the order of the routine ahead of it. Likewise, a woman who deviated from her normal menstrual cycle counts the days of her cycle according to the order of the cycle ahead of her, i.e., from the time that she experiences bleeding.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא: אֶלָּא הָא דְּאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי זִיבָתָהּ, וְאֵין אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ — הֵיכִי דָּמֵי?
Rav Pappa said to Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua: But if so, a question arises with regard to that which Reish Lakish said: A woman fixes a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her ziva, but a woman does not fix a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her menstruation, i.e., when she is already a menstruating woman. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: A woman fixes a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her menstruation. One could ask: What are the circumstances of this dispute? Rabbi Yoḥanan cannot be referring to a case where all her sightings occurred while she was a menstruating woman, as everyone agrees that a woman’s menstrual cycle is not fixed in such a situation (see 11a).
לָאו כְּגוֹן דַּחֲזַאי רֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְחַמְשָׁא בְּיַרְחָא, וְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְחַמְשָׁא בְּיַרְחָא, וְהַשְׁתָּא חֲזַאי בְּחַמְשָׁא בְּיַרְחָא, וּבְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא לָא חֲזַאי,
Rather, is it not referring to a case where she saw blood on the first of the month; and then again on the fifth of that same month, when she was a menstruating woman; and subsequently she saw blood on the first of the next month and then again on the fifth of that month; and now in the third month she saw blood on the fifth of the month but on the first of the month she did not see blood? In such a situation, the woman experienced an emission of blood on the fifth of the month for three consecutive months.
וְקָאָמַר: אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ, אַלְמָא מֵרֵישׁ יַרְחָא מָנֵינָא!
Rav Pappa concludes: And it is with regard to this case that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: A woman fixes a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her menstruation. Although she was not actually a menstruating woman before she experienced bleeding on the fifth day of the third month, this is nevertheless considered a sighting during her days of menstruation. Evidently, one counts her menstrual cycle from the first of the month, despite the fact that she did not actually experience bleeding. Likewise, with regard to the case involving twenty-two days, one counts from when she generally experiences bleeding, not from the day she emitted blood in practice.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא, הָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כְּגוֹן דַּחֲזַאי רֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְעֶשְׂרִין וְחַמְשָׁה בְּיַרְחָא, וְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא, דְּאָמְרִינַן דָּמֵי יַתִּירִי הוּא דְּאִתּוֹסַפוּ בַּהּ.
Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, said to Rav Pappa: These are not the circumstances of the dispute. Rather, this is what Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The dispute is referring to a case where she saw blood on the first of the month; and then again on the first of the next month, and then again on the twenty-fifth day of that month; and again on the first of the next month, which occurs during her days of menstruation. Rabbi Yoḥanan maintains that although she is in her days of menstruation, this sighting on the first of the third month serves to fix her menstrual cycle, as we say with regard to the sighting on the twenty-fifth day of the previous month that it is extra blood that gathered inside her. Therefore, it does not negate her regular cycle.
וְכֵן כִּי אֲתָא רָבִין וְכֹל נָחוֹתֵי יַמָּא, אַמְרוּהָ כְּרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ.
The Gemara notes: And likewise, when Ravin and all the sea-farers came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia and transmitted statements of Rabbi Yoḥanan, they said this statement of Rabbi Yoḥanan in accordance with the explanation of Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua.
.
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ בְּנוֹת כּוּתִים.
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I am grateful for the structure of the Daf Yomi. When I am freer to learn to my heart’s content, I learn other passages in addition. But even in times of difficulty, I always know that I can rely on the structure and social support of Daf Yomi learners all over the world.
I am also grateful for this forum. It is very helpful to learn with a group of enthusiastic and committed women.
Janice Block
Beit Shemesh, Israel
With Rabbanit Dr. Naomi Cohen in the Women’s Talmud class, over 30 years ago. It was a “known” class and it was accepted, because of who taught. Since then I have also studied with Avigail Gross-Gelman and Dr. Gabriel Hazut for about a year). Years ago, in a shiur in my shul, I did know about Persians doing 3 things with their clothes on. They opened the shiur to woman after that!
Sharon Mink
Haifa, Israel
Hearing and reading about the siyumim at the completion of the 13 th cycle Daf Yomi asked our shul rabbi about starting the Daf – he directed me to another shiur in town he thought would allow a woman to join, and so I did! Love seeing the sources for the Divrei Torah I’ve been hearing for the past decades of living an observant life and raising 5 children .
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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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In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!
Beth Kissileff
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When I began the previous cycle, I promised myself that if I stuck with it, I would reward myself with a trip to Israel. Little did I know that the trip would involve attending the first ever women’s siyum and being inspired by so many learners. I am now over 2 years into my second cycle and being part of this large, diverse, fascinating learning family has enhanced my learning exponentially.
Shira Krebs
Minnesota, United States
I graduated college in December 2019 and received a set of shas as a present from my husband. With my long time dream of learning daf yomi, I had no idea that a new cycle was beginning just one month later, in January 2020. I have been learning the daf ever since with Michelle Farber… Through grad school, my first job, my first baby, and all the other incredible journeys over the past few years!
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I learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!
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About a year into learning more about Judaism on a path to potential conversion, I saw an article about the upcoming Siyum HaShas in January of 2020. My curiosity was piqued and I immediately started investigating what learning the Daf actually meant. Daily learning? Just what I wanted. Seven and a half years? I love a challenge! So I dove in head first and I’ve enjoyed every moment!!
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I started learning Daf in Jan 2020 with Brachot b/c I had never seen the Jewish people united around something so positive, and I wanted to be a part of it. Also, I wanted to broaden my background in Torah Shebal Peh- Maayanot gave me a great gemara education, but I knew that I could hold a conversation in most parts of tanach but almost no TSB. I’m so thankful for Daf and have gained immensely.
Meira Shapiro
NJ, United States
I started learning at the beginning of this Daf Yomi cycle because I heard a lot about the previous cycle coming to an end and thought it would be a good thing to start doing. My husband had already bought several of the Koren Talmud Bavli books and they were just sitting on the shelf, not being used, so here was an opportunity to start using them and find out exactly what was in them. Loving it!
Caroline Levison
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About a year into learning more about Judaism on a path to potential conversion, I saw an article about the upcoming Siyum HaShas in January of 2020. My curiosity was piqued and I immediately started investigating what learning the Daf actually meant. Daily learning? Just what I wanted. Seven and a half years? I love a challenge! So I dove in head first and I’ve enjoyed every moment!!
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I decided to give daf yomi a try when I heard about the siyum hashas in 2020. Once the pandemic hit, the daily commitment gave my days some much-needed structure. There have been times when I’ve felt like quitting- especially when encountering very technical details in the text. But then I tell myself, “Look how much you’ve done. You can’t stop now!” So I keep going & my Koren bookshelf grows…
Miriam Eckstein-Koas
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I was exposed to Talmud in high school, but I was truly inspired after my daughter and I decided to attend the Women’s Siyum Shas in 2020. We knew that this was a historic moment. We were blown away, overcome with emotion at the euphoria of the revolution. Right then, I knew I would continue. My commitment deepened with the every-morning Virtual Beit Midrash on Zoom with R. Michelle.
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I started learning daf yomi at the beginning of this cycle. As the pandemic evolved, it’s been so helpful to me to have this discipline every morning to listen to the daf podcast after I’ve read the daf; learning about the relationships between the rabbis and the ways they were constructing our Jewish religion after the destruction of the Temple. I’m grateful to be on this journey!
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As Jewish educator and as a woman, I’m mindful that Talmud has been kept from women for many centuries. Now that we are privileged to learn, and learning is so accessible, it’s my intent to complete Daf Yomi. I am so excited to keep learning with my Hadran community.
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Madeline Cohen
London, United Kingdom
I started learning daf in January, 2020, being inspired by watching the Siyyum Hashas in Binyanei Haumah. I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep up with the task. When I went to school, Gemara was not an option. Fast forward to March, 2022, and each day starts with the daf. The challenge is now learning the intricacies of delving into the actual learning. Hadran community, thank you!
Rochel Cheifetz
Riverdale, NY, United States
I began daf yomi in January 2020 with Brachot. I had made aliya 6 months before, and one of my post-aliya goals was to complete a full cycle. As a life-long Tanach teacher, I wanted to swim from one side of the Yam shel Torah to the other. Daf yomi was also my sanity through COVID. It was the way to marking the progression of time, and feel that I could grow and accomplish while time stopped.
Leah Herzog
Givat Zev, Israel
Niddah 39
יָשְׁבָה לָהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה, שָׁגְגָה, נֶאֶנְסָה, הֵזִידָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה.
If a woman sat and did not examine herself every morning and evening to determine whether she emitted blood and is impure, it makes no difference whether she failed to examine herself unwittingly or due to circumstances beyond her control, or even if she acted intentionally and did not examine herself; she remains ritually pure. She is rendered impure only if she examined herself and was found to have emitted blood.
הִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ, וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — הֲרֵי זוֹ טְמֵאָה. רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אִם הָיְתָה בְּמַחֲבֵא, וְהִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ, וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — הֲרֵי זוֹ טְהוֹרָה, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁחֲרָדָה מְסַלֶּקֶת אֶת הַדָּמִים.
By contrast, if the time of her menstrual cycle arrived, when she is required to examine herself, and she did not examine herself, that woman is ritually impure, as it is typical for a woman to discharge blood at that time. Rabbi Meir says: If a woman was in hiding from danger, and the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself on that day, that woman is pure, because fear drives away blood. There is therefore no concern that she might have emitted blood.
אֲבָל יְמֵי הַזָּב וְהַזָּבָה, וְשׁוֹמֶרֶת יוֹם כְּנֶגֶד יוֹם — הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ בְּחֶזְקַת טוּמְאָה.
But with regard to the seven clean days of the zav and the zava, and with regard to a woman who observes a clean day for a day she experiences a discharge during her days of ziva, if she fails to examine herself on those days, these women have a presumptive status of ritual impurity, as they already experienced a discharge.
גְּמָ’ לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא? אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה: לוֹמַר שֶׁאֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה בְּדִיקָה. וְהָא מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: ״יָשְׁבָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה״ — מִכְּלָל דִּלְכַתְּחִלָּה בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה!
GEMARA: The mishna teaches that throughout the eleven days of ziva that follow the seven days of menstruation, a woman has the presumptive status of ritual purity. The Gemara asks: With regard to what halakha is this stated? Rav Yehuda says: This serves to say that she does not require an examination during these days. The Gemara objects: But from the fact that the latter clause teaches: If she sat and did not examine herself she remains ritually pure, it can be inferred that she requires examination ab initio.
סֵיפָא אֲתָאן לִימֵי נִדָּה, וְהָכִי קָאָמַר: כׇּל אַחַד עָשָׂר בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, וְלָא בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה, אֲבָל בִּימֵי נִדָּתָהּ — בָּעֲיָא בְּדִיקָה. יָשְׁבָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה, שָׁגְגָה, נֶאֶנְסָה, הֵזִידָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה.
The Gemara explains: In the latter clause we arrive at the case of a woman who is in the days of menstruation, not in the days of ziva. And this is what the mishna is saying: For all the eleven days of ziva that follow the days of menstruation, a woman has the presumptive status of ritual purity and she does not require examination. But during the days of her menstruation she requires examination. Nevertheless, if she sat and did not examine herself, whether unwittingly or due to circumstances beyond her control, or even if she acted intentionally and did not examine herself, she remains ritually pure.
רַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר: לָא צְרִיכָא אֶלָּא לְרַבִּי מֵאִיר, דְּאָמַר: אִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת אֲסוּרָה לְשַׁמֵּשׁ. הָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּימֵי נִדָּתָהּ, אֲבָל בִּימֵי זִיבָתָהּ בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה קָיְימָא.
Rav Ḥisda said a different answer: The first clause of the mishna is necessary only for the opinion of Rabbi Meir, who said: With regard to a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, she is forbidden to engage in intercourse, lest she emit blood during intercourse. The mishna is teaching that this statement applies only during the days of her menstruation, but during the days of her ziva even Rabbi Meir concedes that she stands in her presumptive status of purity and may engage in intercourse with her husband.
אִי הָכִי, אַמַּאי אָמַר רַבִּי מֵאִיר: יוֹצִיא וְלֹא יַחְזִיר עוֹלָמִית? דִּלְמָא אָתְיָא לְקַלְקוֹלֵאּ בִּימֵי נִדָּה.
The Gemara asks: If so, that even according to Rabbi Meir there are days in which a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle is permitted to engage in sexual intercourse with her husband, why did Rabbi Meir say that her husband must divorce her and he may never take her back, even if she eventually develops a fixed menstrual cycle? Let them engage in intercourse during the eleven days of ziva. The Gemara answers: He must divorce her lest the matter lead to failure during the days of menstruation, i.e., in case they come to engage in intercourse during the days of menstruation, when she might experience regular menstrual bleeding.
הָא מִדְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: ״הִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה״ — מִכְּלָל דִּבְאִשָּׁה שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת עָסְקִינַן! חַסּוֹרֵי מִחַסְּרָא וְהָכִי קָתָנֵי: כׇּל אַחַד עָשָׂר בְּחֶזְקַת טׇהֳרָה, וְשַׁרְיָא לְבַעְלָהּ, וּבִימֵי נִדָּה אֲסוּרָה.
The Gemara objects: But from the fact that the latter clause teaches: If the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, that woman is ritually impure, it can be inferred that we are dealing with a woman who has a fixed menstrual cycle. The Gemara explains: The mishna is incomplete and this is what it is teaching: For all the eleven days of ziva that follow the days of menstruation, a woman has the presumptive status of ritual purity and she is permitted to her husband, but during the days of menstruation she is prohibited to her husband.
בַּמֶּה דְבָרִים אֲמוּרִים? בְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁאֵין לָהּ וֶסֶת, אֲבָל יֵשׁ לָהּ וֶסֶת מוּתֶּרֶת, וּצְרִיכָה בְּדִיקָה. יָשְׁבָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה, שָׁגְגָה, נֶאֶנְסָה, הֵזִידָה וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה. הִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְמֵאָה.
In what case is this statement said? In the case of a woman who does not have a fixed menstrual cycle, where there is a concern she might experience bleeding during any of the days of menstruation. But in the case of a woman who has a fixed menstrual cycle, she is permitted to engage in sexual intercourse with her husband, and she requires examination. Nevertheless, if she sat and did not examine herself, whether unwittingly or due to circumstances beyond her control, or even if she acted intentionally and did not examine herself, she remains ritually pure. If the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, she is impure.
הָא מִדְּסֵיפָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר, רֵישָׁא לָאו רַבִּי מֵאִיר! כּוּלַּהּ רַבִּי מֵאִיר הִיא, וְהָכִי קָאָמַר: אִם לֹא הָיְתָה בְּמַחֲבֵא וְהִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְמֵאָה, שֶׁרַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אִם הָיְתָה בְּמַחֲבֵא וְהִגִּיעַ שְׁעַת וִסְתָּהּ וְלֹא בָּדְקָה — טְהוֹרָה, שֶׁחֲרָדָה מְסַלֶּקֶת אֶת הַדָּמִים.
The Gemara objects: But from the fact that the last clause is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, it can be inferred that the first clause is not in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir. The Gemara explains that the entire mishna is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Meir, and this is what it is saying: If she was not in hiding and the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, she is impure, as Rabbi Meir says: If a woman was in hiding and the time of her menstrual cycle arrived and she did not examine herself, she is pure, as fear drives away blood.
רָבָא אָמַר: לוֹמַר שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְטַמְּאָה מֵעֵת לְעֵת.
Rava says a different explanation of the first clause of the mishna: The mishna is coming to say that if a woman experiences bleeding during the eleven days of ziva, as she previously had the presumptive status of purity she does not impart impurity retroactively for a twenty-four-hour period to any ritually pure items she touched. It is assumed that she did not emit any blood before this emission.
מֵיתִיבִי: הַנִּדָּה, וְהַזָּבָה, וְהַשּׁוֹמֶרֶת יוֹם כְּנֶגֶד יוֹם, וְהַיּוֹלֶדֶת — כּוּלָּן מְטַמְּאוֹת מֵעֵת לְעֵת. תְּיוּבְתָּא!
The Gemara raises an objection from a baraita: With regard to a menstruating woman, and a zava, and a woman who observes a day for a day, and a woman who gave birth, they all impart impurity retroactively for a twenty-four-hour period. A woman who observes a day for a day is one who experiences bleeding for one or two days during her days of ziva, and the baraita teaches that even such a woman imparts impurity retroactively for a twenty-four-hour period. If so, this is a conclusive refutation of Rava’s explanation.
רַב הוּנָא בַּר חִיָּיא אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לוֹמַר שֶׁאֵינָהּ קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי זִיבָתָהּ. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: לָא שְׁמִיעַ לִי הָא שְׁמַעְתְּתָא.
Rav Huna bar Ḥiyya says another explanation of the first clause of the mishna in the name of Shmuel: The mishna is coming to say that a woman does not fix a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her ziva. In other words, a sighting during these days does not combine with sightings during the previous two periods of ziva to establish a fixed menstrual cycle. The Gemara relates that this statement was recited before Rav Yosef, who said: I did not hear this halakha from Shmuel.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי: אַתְּ אֲמַרְתְּ נִיהֲלַן, וְאַהָא אֲמַרְתְּ לַן: הָיְתָה לְמוּדָה לִהְיוֹת רוֹאָה יוֹם חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר (יוֹם), וְשִׁינְּתָה לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים — זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין לְשַׁמֵּשׁ. שִׁינְּתָה פַּעֲמַיִם לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים — זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין.
Abaye said to him: But you yourself told us this halakha, and it was with regard to that mishna you told it to us, as we learned in a mishna (63b): If the woman was accustomed to see an emission of blood on the fifteenth day, so that this was her fixed menstrual cycle, and she deviated from her cycle to see an emission on the twentieth day, then on both this day, the fifteenth, and that day, the twentieth, it is prohibited for her to engage in sexual intercourse due to the concern that she might have an emission on either day. If she deviated from her cycle twice, to see an emission on the twentieth day, then on both this day and that day it is prohibited for her to engage in intercourse. If she deviates a third time to see on the twentieth she has established for herself a new fixed menstrual cycle.
וַאֲמַרְתְּ לַן עֲלַהּ, אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לָא שְׁנָא אֶלָּא חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר לִטְבִילָתָהּ, שֶׁהֵן עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁנַיִם לִרְאִיָּתָהּ, דְּהָתָם בִּימֵי נִדָּתָהּ קָאֵי לַהּ, אֲבָל חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר לִרְאִיָּתָהּ, דְּבִימֵי זִיבָתָהּ קָאֵי — לָא קָבְעָה.
Abaye continues: And you said to us with regard to this mishna that Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: They taught this halakha only with regard to a woman who normally experiences bleeding fifteen days from her immersion, which are twenty-two days from her sighting of menstrual blood. This means that there, she stands in her days of menstruation. But if she normally experiences bleeding fifteen days from her sighting of menstrual blood, so that she stands in her days of ziva, she has not fixed a menstrual cycle, and the previous cycle is uprooted even if she deviates from it only once.
אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: אַמְרִיתַהּ לִשְׁמַעְתָּא קַמֵּיהּ רַב יְהוּדָה מִדִּסְקַרְתָּא, מִקְבָּע לָא קָבְעָה, מֵיחָשׁ מַהוּ דְּנֵיחוּשׁ לַהּ?
§ With regard to the ruling that a woman’s menstrual cycle cannot be fixed during her days of ziva, Rav Pappa said: I said this halakha before Rav Yehuda of Diskarta, and I asked him for a clarification of the following matter: Granted, she does not fix a menstrual cycle during the days of ziva, and there is no need for three deviations to uproot her cycle; rather, it is uprooted by even one deviation. But what is the halakha with regard to whether we should be concerned that she might experience bleeding? In other words, if she normally experiences bleeding on a particular day during her days of ziva, must she avoid engaging in sexual intercourse with her husband on that day out of concern that she might emit blood?
אִישְׁתִּיק וְלָא אֲמַר לֵיהּ וְלָא מִידֵי. אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: ״נֶחְזֵי אֲנַן״, הָיְתָה לְמוּדָה לִהְיוֹת רוֹאָה לְיוֹם חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר וְשִׁינְּתָה לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים — זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין.
Rav Yehuda of Diskarta was silent and did not say anything to Rav Pappa. Therefore, Rav Pappa said: Let us see and try to resolve this ourselves. The mishna cited above states: If the woman was accustomed to see an emission of blood on the fifteenth day, and she deviated from her cycle to see an emission on the twentieth day, then on both this day and that day it is prohibited for her to engage in sexual intercourse.
וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: לָא שְׁנָא אֶלָּא חֲמִשָּׁה עָשָׂר לִטְבִילָתָהּ, שֶׁהֵן עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁנַיִם לִרְאִיָּיתָהּ,
And with regard to this mishna, Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: They taught this halakha only with regard to a woman who normally experiences bleeding fifteen days from her immersion, which are twenty-two days from her sighting of menstrual blood, which means that there, she stands in her days of menstruation.
וְשִׁינְּתָה לְיוֹם עֶשְׂרִים וְשִׁבְעָה; דְּכִי הָדְרִי וְאָתוּ עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּי — קָיְימָא לַהּ בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי זִיבָתָהּ, וְקָתָנֵי: זֶה וָזֶה אֲסוּרִין — אַלְמָא דְּחָיְישִׁינַן לַהּ.
And when the mishna states that she deviated from her cycle and experienced bleeding on the twentieth day, it means she experienced bleeding twenty days from her immersion, i.e., twenty-seven days from her previous sighting, not twenty-two. This means that when twenty-two days again elapse from when she usually experiences bleeding, she stands within what is now the eleven days of her ziva. And the mishna teaches that both this, the twenty-second day, and that, the twenty-seventh day, are prohibited, despite the fact that the twenty-second day now stands during her days of ziva. Evidently, we are concerned for an emission of blood during the days of ziva if she is accustomed to experiencing bleeding on that day.
וְקָסָבַר רַב פָּפָּא: עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין — מֵעֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין מָנֵינַן, נִדָּה וּפִתְחָהּ — מֵעֶשְׂרִין וְשִׁבְעָה מָנֵינַן.
The Gemara elaborates: And Rav Pappa holds that we count twenty-two days of her menstrual cycle from twenty-two days, i.e., from when she usually begins to menstruate, whereas we count the beginning of the days of menstruation from day twenty-seven, when she actually experiences bleeding. Consequently, the twenty-second day of her normal menstrual cycle falls during the days of ziva, according to the actual day of menstruation.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ לְרַב פָּפָּא: מִמַּאי? דִּלְמָא עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין נָמֵי מֵעֶשְׂרִין וְשִׁבְעָה מָנֵינַן, דְּכִי הָדְרִי וְאָתוּ עֶשְׂרִין וְתַרְתֵּין — קָיְימָא לַהּ בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ.
Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, said to Rav Pappa: From where do you know this is the correct reckoning of her days? Perhaps one also counts those twenty-two days from day twenty-seven, such that when twenty-two days again arrive from day twenty-seven, she stands within her days of menstruation. Accordingly, there is no proof from the mishna with regard to a sighting during the days of ziva.
וְהָכִי נָמֵי מִסְתַּבְּרָא; דְּאִי לָא תֵּימָא הָכִי, הַאי תַּרְנְגוֹלְתָּא דְּרָמְיָא יוֹמָא וְכָבְשָׁה יוֹמָא, וְרָמְיָא יוֹמָא וְכָבְשָׁה יוֹמָא, וְכָבְשָׁה תְּרֵי יוֹמֵי וְרָמְיָא חַד יוֹמָא,
Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, adds: And so too, it is reasonable that the twenty-two days are counted from when she actually experiences bleeding. As if you do not say so, then consider the case of this chicken that normally lays an egg on one day and withholds an egg the next day, and lays an egg on the third day and withholds an egg on the fourth day. And the chicken deviated from its routine, so that after laying eggs on the first day and third day, it withheld an egg for two days and then laid an egg on one day, i.e., on the sixth day.
כִּי הָדְרָה נָקְטָה — כְּדִלְקַמֵּיהּ נָקְטָה, אוֹ כִּדְמֵעִיקָּרָא נָקְטָה? עַל כׇּרְחָךְ כְּדִלְקַמֵּיהּ נָקְטָה.
When this chicken again takes hold of its previous routine and starts laying an egg on one day and withholding an egg on the next, does it take hold of the order of the routine ahead of it, i.e., will it withhold an egg on the next day, or does it take hold of its routine as it was from the outset, so that it will lay an egg on the seventh day, as if there had been no deviation? Perforce it takes hold of the order of the routine ahead of it. Likewise, a woman who deviated from her normal menstrual cycle counts the days of her cycle according to the order of the cycle ahead of her, i.e., from the time that she experiences bleeding.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא: אֶלָּא הָא דְּאָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי זִיבָתָהּ, וְאֵין אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ — הֵיכִי דָּמֵי?
Rav Pappa said to Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua: But if so, a question arises with regard to that which Reish Lakish said: A woman fixes a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her ziva, but a woman does not fix a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her menstruation, i.e., when she is already a menstruating woman. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: A woman fixes a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her menstruation. One could ask: What are the circumstances of this dispute? Rabbi Yoḥanan cannot be referring to a case where all her sightings occurred while she was a menstruating woman, as everyone agrees that a woman’s menstrual cycle is not fixed in such a situation (see 11a).
לָאו כְּגוֹן דַּחֲזַאי רֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְחַמְשָׁא בְּיַרְחָא, וְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְחַמְשָׁא בְּיַרְחָא, וְהַשְׁתָּא חֲזַאי בְּחַמְשָׁא בְּיַרְחָא, וּבְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא לָא חֲזַאי,
Rather, is it not referring to a case where she saw blood on the first of the month; and then again on the fifth of that same month, when she was a menstruating woman; and subsequently she saw blood on the first of the next month and then again on the fifth of that month; and now in the third month she saw blood on the fifth of the month but on the first of the month she did not see blood? In such a situation, the woman experienced an emission of blood on the fifth of the month for three consecutive months.
וְקָאָמַר: אִשָּׁה קוֹבַעַת לָהּ וֶסֶת בְּתוֹךְ יְמֵי נִדּוּתָהּ, אַלְמָא מֵרֵישׁ יַרְחָא מָנֵינָא!
Rav Pappa concludes: And it is with regard to this case that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: A woman fixes a menstrual cycle for herself during the days of her menstruation. Although she was not actually a menstruating woman before she experienced bleeding on the fifth day of the third month, this is nevertheless considered a sighting during her days of menstruation. Evidently, one counts her menstrual cycle from the first of the month, despite the fact that she did not actually experience bleeding. Likewise, with regard to the case involving twenty-two days, one counts from when she generally experiences bleeding, not from the day she emitted blood in practice.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא, הָכִי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: כְּגוֹן דַּחֲזַאי רֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא, וְעֶשְׂרִין וְחַמְשָׁה בְּיַרְחָא, וְרֵישׁ יַרְחָא, דְּאָמְרִינַן דָּמֵי יַתִּירִי הוּא דְּאִתּוֹסַפוּ בַּהּ.
Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, said to Rav Pappa: These are not the circumstances of the dispute. Rather, this is what Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The dispute is referring to a case where she saw blood on the first of the month; and then again on the first of the next month, and then again on the twenty-fifth day of that month; and again on the first of the next month, which occurs during her days of menstruation. Rabbi Yoḥanan maintains that although she is in her days of menstruation, this sighting on the first of the third month serves to fix her menstrual cycle, as we say with regard to the sighting on the twenty-fifth day of the previous month that it is extra blood that gathered inside her. Therefore, it does not negate her regular cycle.
וְכֵן כִּי אֲתָא רָבִין וְכֹל נָחוֹתֵי יַמָּא, אַמְרוּהָ כְּרַב הוּנָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרַב יְהוֹשֻׁעַ.
The Gemara notes: And likewise, when Ravin and all the sea-farers came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia and transmitted statements of Rabbi Yoḥanan, they said this statement of Rabbi Yoḥanan in accordance with the explanation of Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua.
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הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ בְּנוֹת כּוּתִים.
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