What types of water is somewhat problematic for using for a mikveh? Which are not allowed at all? The gemara deals with laws of chatzitza – a separation between one’s body and the water. In what situations does a woman need to be concerned there was a chatzitza even if she doesn’t see it after leaving the mikveh? What is considered a chatzitza by Torah law? By rabbinic law? In what form should the woman’s body be when toveling? Can a woman go to the mikveh during the day – on the eighth day? On the seventh day? Can there be a separation of a day, two days, three days between shampooing/washing and tevila?
This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, Yosef ben Moshe HaCohen, z”l. “He was hard working, loved to sing, esp. as a chazan, and was very dedicated to his family and community.”
Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:
English
עברית
0:00
0:00
0:00
0:00
Today’s daily daf tools:
This week’s learning is sponsored by Robert and Paula Cohen in loving memory of Joseph Cohen, Yosef ben Moshe HaCohen, z”l. “He was hard working, loved to sing, esp. as a chazan, and was very dedicated to his family and community.”
Niddah 67
בְּנָמֵל, אַף עַל גַּב דְּהַשְׁתָּא לֵיכָּא — אֵימַר בְּרִדְיוֹנֵי נְפַל.
in a port [banamal], where the boats are drawn up onto shore, as there is a lot of mud there, which can stick to her and interpose between her and the water. Even though now, after the immersion, there is no mud stuck to her feet or body, one can say that perhaps while she walked back after immersing the mud fell off. Since one cannot be certain that there was no mud stuck to her body while she immersed, she may not immerse in a port.
אֲבוּהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל עֲבַד לִבְנָתֵיהּ מִקְוָואוֹת בְּיוֹמֵי נִיסָן, וּמַפָּצֵי בְּיוֹמֵי תִּשְׁרֵי.
The Gemara relates that Shmuel’s father prepared ritual baths for his daughters in the days of Nisan, by digging holes and letting them fill with natural rainwater, and he placed mats in the Euphrates River in the days of Tishrei. Since the water was shallow and the riverbed was muddy, he placed mats on the riverbed so that they could immerse without getting dirty.
אָמַר רַב גִּידֵּל, אָמַר רַב: נָתְנָה תַּבְשִׁיל לִבְנָהּ, וְטָבְלָה וְעָלְתָה — לֹא עָלְתָה לָהּ טְבִילָה, אַף עַל גַּב דְּהַשְׁתָּא לֵיכָּא, אֵימַר בְּרִדְיוֹנֵי נְפַל.
The Gemara cites a similar halakha involving the interposition of an item during immersion. Rav Giddel says that Rav says: If a woman gave a cooked dish to her son, and afterward she immersed in a ritual bath and ascended from the ritual bath, the immersion is ineffective for her. The reason is that even though now, after the immersion, there is no food stuck to her body, one can say that perhaps as she walked back after immersing the food fell off. Since one cannot be certain that there was no food stuck to her body while she immersed, she should not handle food immediately before immersing.
אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר אַבָּא: הָנֵי רִבְדֵי דְּכוּסִילְתָּא, עַד תְּלָתָא יוֹמֵי — לָא חָיְיצִי, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ — חָיְיצִי.
Rami bar Abba said: With regard to these bloodletting incisions [ravdei dekhusilta], until three days have passed since the bloodletting, when they have not yet formed a hard scab, they do not interpose and invalidate an immersion. From this point forward they interpose, as the scab is too hard for the water to penetrate.
אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: לִפְלוּף שֶׁבָּעַיִן, לַח — אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ, יָבֵשׁ — חוֹצֵץ. אֵימָתַי נִקְרָא יָבֵשׁ? מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁמַּתְחִיל לִירַק.
Mar Ukva said: With regard to mucus that is in the eye, if it is moist, it does not interpose and invalidate an immersion. But if the mucus is dry and hard it interposes. When is it called dry? It is called dry from the time that it begins to turn yellow.
אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: כְּחוֹל שֶׁבְּתוֹךְ הָעַיִן — אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ, וְשֶׁעַל גַּבֵּי הָעַיִן — חוֹצֵץ. אִם הָיוּ עֵינֶיהָ פּוֹרְחוֹת — אֲפִילּוּ עַל גַּבֵּי הָעַיִן אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ.
Shmuel says: Eye shadow that is in the eye does not interpose and invalidate an immersion. But eye shadow that is on or around the eye interposes. And if the woman’s eyes were constantly blinking, then even eye shadow that is on or around the eye does not interpose, as the constant blinking removes the eye shadow.
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: פָּתְחָה עֵינֶיהָ בְּיוֹתֵר, אוֹ עַצְמָהּ עֵינֶיהָ בְּיוֹתֵר — לֹא עָלְתָה לָהּ טְבִילָה.
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If a woman opened her eyes very wide or closed her eyes very tightly while immersing, this immersion is ineffective for her. Such open or closed eyelids prevent the water from reaching the creases around the eyes.
אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: הָאִשָּׁה לֹא תִּטְבּוֹל אֶלָּא דֶּרֶךְ גְּדִילָתָהּ, כְּדִתְנַן: הָאִישׁ נִרְאָה כְּעוֹדֵר וּמוֹסֵק זֵיתִים, אִשָּׁה נִרְאֵת כְּאוֹרֶגֶת וְכִמְנִיקָה אֶת בְּנָהּ.
Reish Lakish says: A woman may immerse herself in a ritual bath only in the manner that she grows, i.e., she may not force her arms to her sides or close her legs tightly. She is not obligated to spread her limbs widely, but simply stand in her normal manner. As we learned in a mishna (Nega’im 2:4): When a man has a leprous mark between his legs and stands before a priest for inspection, he should appear like one who is hoeing, i.e., with his legs slightly apart, and if it is under his arm, he should appear like one who is harvesting olives, with his arms slightly raised. If the mark is not visible when he is standing in that manner, it is not impure. By contrast, a woman with a leprous mark between her legs should appear like one who is weaving, and if the mark is beneath her breast she should appear like a woman who is nursing her son.
אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא: נִימָא אַחַת קְשׁוּרָה חוֹצֶצֶת,
Rabba bar Rav Huna says: A single hair tied in a knot interposes and invalidates an immersion.
שָׁלֹשׁ אֵינָן חוֹצְצוֹת, שְׁתַּיִם אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אָנוּ אֵין לָנוּ אֶלָּא אַחַת.
Three hairs tied together in a knot do not interpose, as three hairs cannot be tied so tightly that water cannot penetrate them. With regard to two hairs tied together in a knot, I do not know the halakha. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: We have a tradition that only one hair interposes, but two or more do not prevent the water from reaching the body.
אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: דְּבַר תּוֹרָה, רוּבּוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד עָלָיו — חוֹצֵץ, רוּבּוֹ וְאֵינוֹ מַקְפִּיד עָלָיו — אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ, וְגָזְרוּ עַל רוּבּוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַקְפִּיד מִשּׁוּם רוּבּוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד, וְגָזְרוּ עַל מִיעוּטוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד מִשּׁוּם רוּבּוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד.
§ Rabbi Yitzḥak says: By Torah law, if there is an interposition between a person and the water, and it covers the majority of his body, and he is particular and wants the interposing substance removed, it interposes and invalidates an immersion in a ritual bath. But if it covers the majority of his body but he is not particular about that substance, it does not interpose. But the Sages issued a decree prohibiting substances covering the majority of his body with regard to which he is not particular, due to substances covering the majority of his body about which he is particular. And likewise, they issued a decree against substances covering the minority of his body with regard to which he is particular, due to substances covering the majority of his body about which he is particular.
וְלִגְזוֹר נָמֵי עַל מִיעוּטוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַקְפִּיד, מִשּׁוּם מִיעוּטוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד! הִיא גּוּפַהּ גְּזֵרָה, וַאֲנַן נֵיקוּם וְנִגְזוֹר גְּזֵרָה לִגְזֵרָה?!
The Gemara raises a difficulty: But let them also issue a decree prohibiting substances covering the minority of his body with regard to which he is not particular, due to substances covering the minority of his body about which he is particular. The Gemara answers: The Sages did not issue such a decree, as that prohibition is itself a rabbinic decree, and will we arise and issue a decree to prevent the violation of another decree?
אָמַר רַב: נִדָּה בִּזְמַנָּהּ אֵינָהּ טוֹבֶלֶת אֶלָּא בַּלַּיְלָה, וְשֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנָּהּ טוֹבֶלֶת בֵּין בַּיּוֹם בֵּין בַּלַּיְלָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: בֵּין בִּזְמַנָּהּ בֵּין שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנָּהּ אֵינָהּ טוֹבֶלֶת אֶלָּא בַּלַּיְלָה, מִשּׁוּם סֶרֶךְ בִּתָּהּ.
§ The Gemara returns to discuss the issue of the correct time for immersion. Rav says: A menstruating woman who wishes to immerse to complete her purification process at her time, i.e., at the end of seven days, may immerse only at night, i.e., on the night after the seventh day, the night of the eighth day. But a woman who wishes to immerse not at her time, i.e., on the eighth day or afterward, may immerse either during the day or at night. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Whether she is immersing at her time or not at her time, she may immerse only at night. This is because her daughter might follow her example when she is old enough, and also immerse in the daytime, but she may do so on the seventh day, when immersion is not valid.
וְאַף רַב הֲדַר בֵּיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי אָמַר רַב: נִדָּה, בֵּין בִּזְמַנָּהּ בֵּין שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנָּהּ, אֵינָהּ טוֹבֶלֶת אֶלָּא בַּלַּיְלָה, מִשּׁוּם סֶרֶךְ בִּתָּהּ.
And even Rav retracted his opinion and ruled that a woman who is immersing after menstruation may never do so during the day. As Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Ashi said that Rav said: A menstruating woman who wishes to immerse to complete her purification process, whether at her time or whether not at her time, may immerse only at night, because her daughter might follow her example and immerse during the daytime of the seventh day.
אַתְקֵין רַב אִידִי בְּנַרֶשׁ לְמִטְבָּל בְּיוֹמָא דִּתְמָנְיָא, מִשּׁוּם אַרְיָוָתָא; רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב בְּפַפּוֹנְיָא, מִשּׁוּם גַּנָּבֵי;
The Gemara cites examples of Sages who permitted immersion on the eighth day due to exceptional circumstances. Rav Idi decreed in Neresh that the women may immerse during the daytime on the eighth day due to the lions that roamed the area at night and posed a threat to women who immersed at that time. Rav Aḥa bar Yaakov decreed in Pappunya that the women should immerse during the daytime on the eighth day due to thieves who posed a threat to women who immersed at that night.
רַב יְהוּדָה בְּפוּמְבְּדִיתָא, מִשּׁוּם צִנָּה; רָבָא בְּמָחוֹזָא, מִשּׁוּם אֲבוּלָּאֵי.
Similarly, Rav Yehuda decreed in Pumbedita that the women should immerse in the daytime on the eighth day due to the cold of the night. Rava decreed in Meḥoza that the women should immerse in the daytime on the eighth day due to the gatekeepers [abula’ei], who were untrustworthy and might hurt the women on their way to and from immersion.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְרָבָא וּלְאַבָּיֵי: מִכְּדֵי הָאִידָּנָא כּוּלְּהוּ סָפֵק זָבוֹת שַׁוִּינְהוּ רַבָּנַן, לַיטְבְּלִינְהוּ בִּימָמָא דְּשִׁבְיעָאה?
§ Rav Pappa said to Rava and to Abaye: Since nowadays the Sages have given all women who menstruate the status of an uncertain greater zava, may they immerse on the seventh day during the daytime? A greater zava, after counting seven clean days, may immerse on the seventh day. Since all women who menstruate now count seven clean days after the bleeding ceases, more than seven days from the onset of her menstruating have passed by the seventh clean day.
מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, דְּתַנְיָא: ״אַחַר תִּטְהָר״ — אַחַר, אַחַר לְכוּלָּן, שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא טוּמְאָה מַפְסֶקֶת בֵּינֵיהֶן. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: ״אַחַר תִּטְהָר״ — אַחַר מַעֲשֶׂה תִּטְהָר.
Rava and Abaye replied that they may nevertheless not immerse on the seventh day, due to the statement of Rabbi Shimon. As it is taught in a baraita: The verse states: “But if she be purified of her ziva, then she shall count to herself seven days, and after that she shall be pure” (Leviticus 15:28). The purification of a zava must be after the seven days, i.e., after all of the days, which must be consecutive so that there are no days of impurity separating between the seven clean days. Rabbi Shimon says that the phrase “And after that she shall be pure” teaches that after the action of counting seven clean days she shall be pure. In other words, once she has examined herself at the beginning of the seventh day she may immerse on that day.
אֲבָל אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים: אָסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹת כֵּן, שֶׁמָּא תָּבֹא לִידֵי סָפֵק.
Rabbi Shimon continues: But the Sages said: It is prohibited to do so, i.e., to immerse on the seventh day, lest she come to a case of uncertainty. If she were to engage in intercourse with her husband on that seventh day after immersion, and afterward on the same day she experiences bleeding, it would retroactively nullify her entire seven clean days, which would mean that she engaged in intercourse with her husband while she was impure, rendering them both liable to receive the punishment of karet.
אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בִּשְׁלִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת, שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בְּמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּת.
§ Rav Huna says: A woman may wash her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerse on the third day of the week, i.e., Monday night. The proof of this is that sometimes a woman washes her hair on the eve of Shabbat, but she does not immerse until the conclusion of Shabbat, which is the same interval as from Sunday to Monday night.
אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בִּרְבִיעִי בַּשַּׁבָּת — שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בְּמוֹצָאֵי יוֹם טוֹב שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת אַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת.
Similarly, a woman may wash her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerse on the fourth day of the week, Tuesday night. The proof of this is that sometimes a woman washes her hair on the eve of Shabbat, but she does not immerse until the conclusion of the Festival that occurs after Shabbat, which is the same interval as from Sunday to Tuesday night.
אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בַּחֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת — שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בְּמוֹצָאֵי שְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת אַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת.
Furthermore, a woman may wash her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerse on the fifth day of the week, Wednesday night. The proof of this is that sometimes a woman washes her hair on the eve of Shabbat, but she does not immerse until the conclusion of two days of Rosh HaShana that occurs after Shabbat, which is the same interval as from Sunday to Wednesday night.
וְרַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר: כּוּלְּהוּ אָמְרִינַן, ״שֶׁכֵּן״ לָא אָמְרִינַן. הֵיכָא דְּאֶפְשָׁר — אֶפְשָׁר, הֵיכָא דְּלָא אֶפְשָׁר — לָא אֶפְשָׁר.
But Rav Ḥisda said: We say that all of these long gaps between a woman washing her hair and immersing are permitted. But we do not say as proof that since a woman washes her hair before Shabbat and immerses only several days later, she may do so during a regular week as well. One cannot learn this halakha from those situations involving Shabbat, as one cannot derive cases where alternatives are possible from those cases where alternatives are not possible. Where it is possible for a woman to wash her hair and immerse immediately, it is possible, and she is not allowed to do so any earlier. But where it is not possible for a woman to wash her hair immediately before immersion, e.g., when she must immerse after the conclusion of Shabbat or a festival, it is impossible, and for this reason she is permitted to wash her hair in advance.
וְרַב יֵימַר אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ ״שֶׁכֵּן״ נָמֵי אָמְרִינַן, לְבַר מֵאִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת וְטוֹבֶלֶת בַּחֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת, דִּלְמוֹצָאֵי שְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה שֶׁלְּאַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת לֵיתַהּ, דְּאֶפְשָׁר דְּחוֹפֶפֶת בַּלַּיְלָה וְטוֹבֶלֶת בַּלַּיְלָה.
And Rav Yeimar said: We even say the proof that since a woman washes her hair before Shabbat and immerses only several days later, she may do so during a regular week as well. Rav Yeimar agrees with Rav Huna in all cases apart from that of a woman who washes her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerses on the fifth day of the week, Wednesday night. He maintains that Rav Huna’s proof from the conclusion of two days of Rosh HaShana that is after Shabbat is not a sufficient proof, as even in such a case a woman may not wait so long. Rather, it is possible for her to wash her hair at night after the conclusion of Rosh HaShana and immerse on that same night, so that she should not have such a long gap between washing her hair and immersing.
דְּרַשׁ מָרִימָר: הִלְכְתָא כְּרַב חִסְדָּא, וּכְדִמְתָרֵץ רַב יֵימַר.
Mareimar taught: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rav Ḥisda, that a woman should not wash her hair many days before immersing except when there is no other possibility. And the halakha is also in accordance with the manner in which Rav Yeimar explains that if Rosh HaShana occurs after Shabbat a woman should wash her hair on the night of her immersion.
אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתָּחוֹף בַּלַּיְלָה וְתִטְבּוֹל בַּלַּיְלָה? מָר זוּטְרָא אוֹסַר, וְרַב חִינָּנָא מִסּוּרָא שָׁרֵי.
§ A dilemma was raised before the Sages: What is the halakha with regard to whether a woman may wash her hair at night and immerse on that same night? Mar Zutra deems it prohibited for her to do so. Since she will be in a hurry to immerse and return to her husband, there is a concern that she will not wash and examine her hair thoroughly. And Rav Ḥinnana from Sura deems it permitted for a woman to wash her hair on the night of her immersion.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַדָּא לְרַב חִינָּנָא מִסּוּרָא: לָאו הָכִי הֲוָה עוֹבָדָא בִּדְבֵיתְהוּ דְּאַבָּא מָרִי רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא, דְּאִיקּוּט, אֲזַל רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק לְפַיּוֹסַהּ, וַאֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: מַאי אִיתֵיהּ הַשְׁתָּא?
Rav Adda said to Rav Ḥinnana from Sura: Was there not an incident like this involving the wife of Abba Mari, the Exilarch, who quarreled with her husband, and as a result she did not want to immerse in a ritual bath to become permitted to him; and Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak went to appease her and to persuade her to immerse, and she said to him: What is there that can be done now? There is no reason for me to hurry and immerse now.
Follow 
Today’s daily daf tools:
Delve Deeper
Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.
Rabbinic Authority and Personal Autonomy in Early Rabbinic Law, Part 2 of 3: The Law of Niddah
06.30.2021 | כ׳ בתמוז תשפ״א
Extempore Effusions on the Completion of Masechet Niddah, Prakim Bet and Gimel
09.27.2012 | י״א בתשרי תשע״ג
New to Talmud?
Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you.
The Hadran Women’s Tapestry
Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories.
I’ve been studying Talmud since the ’90s, and decided to take on Daf Yomi two years ago. I wanted to attempt the challenge of a day-to-day, very Jewish activity. Some days are so interesting and some days are so boring. But I’m still here.
Wendy Rozov
Phoenix, AZ, United States
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.
Leah Goldford
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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.
Shira Eliaser
Skokie, IL, United States
A beautiful world of Talmudic sages now fill my daily life with discussion and debate.
bringing alive our traditions and texts that has brought new meaning to my life.
I am a מגילת אסתר reader for women . the words in the Mishna of מסכת megillah 17a
הקורא את המגילה למפרע לא יצא were powerful to me.
I hope to have the zchut to complete the cycle for my 70th birthday.
Sheila Hauser
Jerusalem, Israel
I started learning Daf Yomi to fill what I saw as a large gap in my Jewish education. I also hope to inspire my three daughters to ensure that they do not allow the same Talmud-sized gap to form in their own educations. I am so proud to be a part of the Hadran community, and I have loved learning so many of the stories and halachot that we have seen so far. I look forward to continuing!
Dora Chana Haar
Oceanside NY, United States
I started last year after completing the Pesach Sugiyot class. Masechet Yoma might seem like a difficult set of topics, but for me made Yom Kippur and the Beit HaMikdash come alive. Liturgy I’d always had trouble connecting with took on new meaning as I gained a sense of real people moving through specific spaces in particular ways. It was the perfect introduction; I am so grateful for Hadran!
Debbie Engelen-Eigles
Minnesota, United States
I started learning at the beginning of the cycle after a friend persuaded me that it would be right up my alley. I was lucky enough to learn at Rabbanit Michelle’s house before it started on zoom and it was quickly part of my daily routine. I find it so important to see for myself where halachot were derived, where stories were told and to get more insight into how the Rabbis interacted.
Deborah Dickson
Ra’anana, Israel
I started my Daf Yomi journey at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.
Karena Perry
Los Angeles, United States
Michelle has been an inspiration for years, but I only really started this cycle after the moving and uplifting siyum in Jerusalem. It’s been an wonderful to learn and relearn the tenets of our religion and to understand how the extraordinary efforts of a band of people to preserve Judaism after the fall of the beit hamikdash is still bearing fruits today. I’m proud to be part of the chain!
Judith Weil
Raanana, Israel
I start learning Daf Yomi in January 2020. The daily learning with Rabbanit Michelle has kept me grounded in this very uncertain time. Despite everything going on – the Pandemic, my personal life, climate change, war, etc… I know I can count on Hadran’s podcast to bring a smile to my face.
Deb Engel
Los Angeles, United States
I had no formal learning in Talmud until I began my studies in the Joint Program where in 1976 I was one of the few, if not the only, woman talmud major. It was superior training for law school and enabled me to approach my legal studies with a foundation . In 2018, I began daf yomi listening to Rabbanit MIchelle’s pod cast and my daily talmud studies are one of the highlights of my life.
Terri Krivosha
Minneapolis, United States
Last cycle, I listened to parts of various מסכתות. When the הדרן סיום was advertised, I listened to Michelle on נידה. I knew that בע”ה with the next cycle I was in (ב”נ). As I entered the סיום (early), I saw the signs and was overcome with emotion. I was randomly seated in the front row, and I cried many times that night. My choice to learn דף יומי was affirmed. It is one of the best I have made!
Miriam Tannenbaum
אפרת, Israel
A few years back, after reading Ilana Kurshan’s book, “If All The Seas Were Ink,” I began pondering the crazy, outlandish idea of beginning the Daf Yomi cycle. Beginning in December, 2019, a month before the previous cycle ended, I “auditioned” 30 different podcasts in 30 days, and ultimately chose to take the plunge with Hadran and Rabbanit Michelle. Such joy!
Cindy Dolgin
HUNTINGTON, United States
I started learning Dec 2019 after reading “If all the Seas Were Ink”. I found
Daily daf sessions of Rabbanit Michelle in her house teaching, I then heard about the siyum and a new cycle starting wow I am in! Afternoon here in Sydney, my family and friends know this is my sacred time to hide away to live zoom and learn. Often it’s hard to absorb and relate then a gem shines touching my heart.
Dianne Kuchar
Dover Heights, Australia
I began to learn this cycle of Daf Yomi after my husband passed away 2 1/2 years ago. It seemed a good way to connect to him. Even though I don’t know whether he would have encouraged women learning Gemara, it would have opened wonderful conversations. It also gives me more depth for understanding my frum children and grandchildren. Thank you Hadran and Rabbanit Michelle Farber!!
Harriet Hartman
Tzur Hadassah, Israel
I’ve been learning since January 2020, and in June I started drawing a phrase from each daf. Sometimes it’s easy (e.g. plants), sometimes it’s very hard (e.g. korbanot), and sometimes it’s loads of fun (e.g. bird racing) to find something to draw. I upload my pictures from each masechet to #DafYomiArt. I am enjoying every step of the journey.
Gila Loike
Ashdod, Israel
I started at the beginning of this cycle. No 1 reason, but here’s 5.
In 2019 I read about the upcoming siyum hashas.
There was a sermon at shul about how anyone can learn Talmud.
Talmud references come up when I am studying. I wanted to know more.
Yentl was on telly. Not a great movie but it’s about studying Talmud.
I went to the Hadran website: A new cycle is starting. I’m gonna do this
Denise Neapolitan
Cambridge, United Kingdom
After being so inspired by the siyum shas two years ago, I began tentatively learning daf yomi, like Rabbanut Michelle kept saying – taking one daf at a time. I’m still taking it one daf at a time, one masechet at a time, but I’m loving it and am still so inspired by Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran community, and yes – I am proud to be finishing Seder Mo’ed.
Caroline Graham-Ofstein
Bet Shemesh, Israel
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!
Shoshana Ruerup
Berlin, Germany
When I started studying Hebrew at Brown University’s Hillel, I had no idea that almost 38 years later, I’m doing Daf Yomi. My Shabbat haburah is led by Rabbanit Leah Sarna. The women are a hoot. I’m tracking the completion of each tractate by reading Ilana Kurshan’s memoir, If All the Seas Were Ink.
Hannah Lee
Pennsylvania, United States
Niddah 67
בְּנָמֵל, אַף עַל גַּב דְּהַשְׁתָּא לֵיכָּא — אֵימַר בְּרִדְיוֹנֵי נְפַל.
in a port [banamal], where the boats are drawn up onto shore, as there is a lot of mud there, which can stick to her and interpose between her and the water. Even though now, after the immersion, there is no mud stuck to her feet or body, one can say that perhaps while she walked back after immersing the mud fell off. Since one cannot be certain that there was no mud stuck to her body while she immersed, she may not immerse in a port.
אֲבוּהּ דִּשְׁמוּאֵל עֲבַד לִבְנָתֵיהּ מִקְוָואוֹת בְּיוֹמֵי נִיסָן, וּמַפָּצֵי בְּיוֹמֵי תִּשְׁרֵי.
The Gemara relates that Shmuel’s father prepared ritual baths for his daughters in the days of Nisan, by digging holes and letting them fill with natural rainwater, and he placed mats in the Euphrates River in the days of Tishrei. Since the water was shallow and the riverbed was muddy, he placed mats on the riverbed so that they could immerse without getting dirty.
אָמַר רַב גִּידֵּל, אָמַר רַב: נָתְנָה תַּבְשִׁיל לִבְנָהּ, וְטָבְלָה וְעָלְתָה — לֹא עָלְתָה לָהּ טְבִילָה, אַף עַל גַּב דְּהַשְׁתָּא לֵיכָּא, אֵימַר בְּרִדְיוֹנֵי נְפַל.
The Gemara cites a similar halakha involving the interposition of an item during immersion. Rav Giddel says that Rav says: If a woman gave a cooked dish to her son, and afterward she immersed in a ritual bath and ascended from the ritual bath, the immersion is ineffective for her. The reason is that even though now, after the immersion, there is no food stuck to her body, one can say that perhaps as she walked back after immersing the food fell off. Since one cannot be certain that there was no food stuck to her body while she immersed, she should not handle food immediately before immersing.
אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר אַבָּא: הָנֵי רִבְדֵי דְּכוּסִילְתָּא, עַד תְּלָתָא יוֹמֵי — לָא חָיְיצִי, מִכָּאן וְאֵילָךְ — חָיְיצִי.
Rami bar Abba said: With regard to these bloodletting incisions [ravdei dekhusilta], until three days have passed since the bloodletting, when they have not yet formed a hard scab, they do not interpose and invalidate an immersion. From this point forward they interpose, as the scab is too hard for the water to penetrate.
אָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: לִפְלוּף שֶׁבָּעַיִן, לַח — אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ, יָבֵשׁ — חוֹצֵץ. אֵימָתַי נִקְרָא יָבֵשׁ? מִשָּׁעָה שֶׁמַּתְחִיל לִירַק.
Mar Ukva said: With regard to mucus that is in the eye, if it is moist, it does not interpose and invalidate an immersion. But if the mucus is dry and hard it interposes. When is it called dry? It is called dry from the time that it begins to turn yellow.
אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: כְּחוֹל שֶׁבְּתוֹךְ הָעַיִן — אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ, וְשֶׁעַל גַּבֵּי הָעַיִן — חוֹצֵץ. אִם הָיוּ עֵינֶיהָ פּוֹרְחוֹת — אֲפִילּוּ עַל גַּבֵּי הָעַיִן אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ.
Shmuel says: Eye shadow that is in the eye does not interpose and invalidate an immersion. But eye shadow that is on or around the eye interposes. And if the woman’s eyes were constantly blinking, then even eye shadow that is on or around the eye does not interpose, as the constant blinking removes the eye shadow.
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: פָּתְחָה עֵינֶיהָ בְּיוֹתֵר, אוֹ עַצְמָהּ עֵינֶיהָ בְּיוֹתֵר — לֹא עָלְתָה לָהּ טְבִילָה.
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: If a woman opened her eyes very wide or closed her eyes very tightly while immersing, this immersion is ineffective for her. Such open or closed eyelids prevent the water from reaching the creases around the eyes.
אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: הָאִשָּׁה לֹא תִּטְבּוֹל אֶלָּא דֶּרֶךְ גְּדִילָתָהּ, כְּדִתְנַן: הָאִישׁ נִרְאָה כְּעוֹדֵר וּמוֹסֵק זֵיתִים, אִשָּׁה נִרְאֵת כְּאוֹרֶגֶת וְכִמְנִיקָה אֶת בְּנָהּ.
Reish Lakish says: A woman may immerse herself in a ritual bath only in the manner that she grows, i.e., she may not force her arms to her sides or close her legs tightly. She is not obligated to spread her limbs widely, but simply stand in her normal manner. As we learned in a mishna (Nega’im 2:4): When a man has a leprous mark between his legs and stands before a priest for inspection, he should appear like one who is hoeing, i.e., with his legs slightly apart, and if it is under his arm, he should appear like one who is harvesting olives, with his arms slightly raised. If the mark is not visible when he is standing in that manner, it is not impure. By contrast, a woman with a leprous mark between her legs should appear like one who is weaving, and if the mark is beneath her breast she should appear like a woman who is nursing her son.
אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא: נִימָא אַחַת קְשׁוּרָה חוֹצֶצֶת,
Rabba bar Rav Huna says: A single hair tied in a knot interposes and invalidates an immersion.
שָׁלֹשׁ אֵינָן חוֹצְצוֹת, שְׁתַּיִם אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ. וְרַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אָנוּ אֵין לָנוּ אֶלָּא אַחַת.
Three hairs tied together in a knot do not interpose, as three hairs cannot be tied so tightly that water cannot penetrate them. With regard to two hairs tied together in a knot, I do not know the halakha. And Rabbi Yoḥanan says: We have a tradition that only one hair interposes, but two or more do not prevent the water from reaching the body.
אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: דְּבַר תּוֹרָה, רוּבּוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד עָלָיו — חוֹצֵץ, רוּבּוֹ וְאֵינוֹ מַקְפִּיד עָלָיו — אֵינוֹ חוֹצֵץ, וְגָזְרוּ עַל רוּבּוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַקְפִּיד מִשּׁוּם רוּבּוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד, וְגָזְרוּ עַל מִיעוּטוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד מִשּׁוּם רוּבּוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד.
§ Rabbi Yitzḥak says: By Torah law, if there is an interposition between a person and the water, and it covers the majority of his body, and he is particular and wants the interposing substance removed, it interposes and invalidates an immersion in a ritual bath. But if it covers the majority of his body but he is not particular about that substance, it does not interpose. But the Sages issued a decree prohibiting substances covering the majority of his body with regard to which he is not particular, due to substances covering the majority of his body about which he is particular. And likewise, they issued a decree against substances covering the minority of his body with regard to which he is particular, due to substances covering the majority of his body about which he is particular.
וְלִגְזוֹר נָמֵי עַל מִיעוּטוֹ שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַקְפִּיד, מִשּׁוּם מִיעוּטוֹ הַמַּקְפִּיד! הִיא גּוּפַהּ גְּזֵרָה, וַאֲנַן נֵיקוּם וְנִגְזוֹר גְּזֵרָה לִגְזֵרָה?!
The Gemara raises a difficulty: But let them also issue a decree prohibiting substances covering the minority of his body with regard to which he is not particular, due to substances covering the minority of his body about which he is particular. The Gemara answers: The Sages did not issue such a decree, as that prohibition is itself a rabbinic decree, and will we arise and issue a decree to prevent the violation of another decree?
אָמַר רַב: נִדָּה בִּזְמַנָּהּ אֵינָהּ טוֹבֶלֶת אֶלָּא בַּלַּיְלָה, וְשֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנָּהּ טוֹבֶלֶת בֵּין בַּיּוֹם בֵּין בַּלַּיְלָה. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: בֵּין בִּזְמַנָּהּ בֵּין שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנָּהּ אֵינָהּ טוֹבֶלֶת אֶלָּא בַּלַּיְלָה, מִשּׁוּם סֶרֶךְ בִּתָּהּ.
§ The Gemara returns to discuss the issue of the correct time for immersion. Rav says: A menstruating woman who wishes to immerse to complete her purification process at her time, i.e., at the end of seven days, may immerse only at night, i.e., on the night after the seventh day, the night of the eighth day. But a woman who wishes to immerse not at her time, i.e., on the eighth day or afterward, may immerse either during the day or at night. Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Whether she is immersing at her time or not at her time, she may immerse only at night. This is because her daughter might follow her example when she is old enough, and also immerse in the daytime, but she may do so on the seventh day, when immersion is not valid.
וְאַף רַב הֲדַר בֵּיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי אָמַר רַב: נִדָּה, בֵּין בִּזְמַנָּהּ בֵּין שֶׁלֹּא בִּזְמַנָּהּ, אֵינָהּ טוֹבֶלֶת אֶלָּא בַּלַּיְלָה, מִשּׁוּם סֶרֶךְ בִּתָּהּ.
And even Rav retracted his opinion and ruled that a woman who is immersing after menstruation may never do so during the day. As Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Ashi said that Rav said: A menstruating woman who wishes to immerse to complete her purification process, whether at her time or whether not at her time, may immerse only at night, because her daughter might follow her example and immerse during the daytime of the seventh day.
אַתְקֵין רַב אִידִי בְּנַרֶשׁ לְמִטְבָּל בְּיוֹמָא דִּתְמָנְיָא, מִשּׁוּם אַרְיָוָתָא; רַב אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב בְּפַפּוֹנְיָא, מִשּׁוּם גַּנָּבֵי;
The Gemara cites examples of Sages who permitted immersion on the eighth day due to exceptional circumstances. Rav Idi decreed in Neresh that the women may immerse during the daytime on the eighth day due to the lions that roamed the area at night and posed a threat to women who immersed at that time. Rav Aḥa bar Yaakov decreed in Pappunya that the women should immerse during the daytime on the eighth day due to thieves who posed a threat to women who immersed at that night.
רַב יְהוּדָה בְּפוּמְבְּדִיתָא, מִשּׁוּם צִנָּה; רָבָא בְּמָחוֹזָא, מִשּׁוּם אֲבוּלָּאֵי.
Similarly, Rav Yehuda decreed in Pumbedita that the women should immerse in the daytime on the eighth day due to the cold of the night. Rava decreed in Meḥoza that the women should immerse in the daytime on the eighth day due to the gatekeepers [abula’ei], who were untrustworthy and might hurt the women on their way to and from immersion.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פָּפָּא לְרָבָא וּלְאַבָּיֵי: מִכְּדֵי הָאִידָּנָא כּוּלְּהוּ סָפֵק זָבוֹת שַׁוִּינְהוּ רַבָּנַן, לַיטְבְּלִינְהוּ בִּימָמָא דְּשִׁבְיעָאה?
§ Rav Pappa said to Rava and to Abaye: Since nowadays the Sages have given all women who menstruate the status of an uncertain greater zava, may they immerse on the seventh day during the daytime? A greater zava, after counting seven clean days, may immerse on the seventh day. Since all women who menstruate now count seven clean days after the bleeding ceases, more than seven days from the onset of her menstruating have passed by the seventh clean day.
מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, דְּתַנְיָא: ״אַחַר תִּטְהָר״ — אַחַר, אַחַר לְכוּלָּן, שֶׁלֹּא תְּהֵא טוּמְאָה מַפְסֶקֶת בֵּינֵיהֶן. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אוֹמֵר: ״אַחַר תִּטְהָר״ — אַחַר מַעֲשֶׂה תִּטְהָר.
Rava and Abaye replied that they may nevertheless not immerse on the seventh day, due to the statement of Rabbi Shimon. As it is taught in a baraita: The verse states: “But if she be purified of her ziva, then she shall count to herself seven days, and after that she shall be pure” (Leviticus 15:28). The purification of a zava must be after the seven days, i.e., after all of the days, which must be consecutive so that there are no days of impurity separating between the seven clean days. Rabbi Shimon says that the phrase “And after that she shall be pure” teaches that after the action of counting seven clean days she shall be pure. In other words, once she has examined herself at the beginning of the seventh day she may immerse on that day.
אֲבָל אָמְרוּ חֲכָמִים: אָסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹת כֵּן, שֶׁמָּא תָּבֹא לִידֵי סָפֵק.
Rabbi Shimon continues: But the Sages said: It is prohibited to do so, i.e., to immerse on the seventh day, lest she come to a case of uncertainty. If she were to engage in intercourse with her husband on that seventh day after immersion, and afterward on the same day she experiences bleeding, it would retroactively nullify her entire seven clean days, which would mean that she engaged in intercourse with her husband while she was impure, rendering them both liable to receive the punishment of karet.
אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בִּשְׁלִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת, שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בְּמוֹצָאֵי שַׁבָּת.
§ Rav Huna says: A woman may wash her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerse on the third day of the week, i.e., Monday night. The proof of this is that sometimes a woman washes her hair on the eve of Shabbat, but she does not immerse until the conclusion of Shabbat, which is the same interval as from Sunday to Monday night.
אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בִּרְבִיעִי בַּשַּׁבָּת — שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בְּמוֹצָאֵי יוֹם טוֹב שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת אַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת.
Similarly, a woman may wash her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerse on the fourth day of the week, Tuesday night. The proof of this is that sometimes a woman washes her hair on the eve of Shabbat, but she does not immerse until the conclusion of the Festival that occurs after Shabbat, which is the same interval as from Sunday to Tuesday night.
אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בַּחֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת — שֶׁכֵּן אִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת, וְטוֹבֶלֶת בְּמוֹצָאֵי שְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת אַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת.
Furthermore, a woman may wash her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerse on the fifth day of the week, Wednesday night. The proof of this is that sometimes a woman washes her hair on the eve of Shabbat, but she does not immerse until the conclusion of two days of Rosh HaShana that occurs after Shabbat, which is the same interval as from Sunday to Wednesday night.
וְרַב חִסְדָּא אָמַר: כּוּלְּהוּ אָמְרִינַן, ״שֶׁכֵּן״ לָא אָמְרִינַן. הֵיכָא דְּאֶפְשָׁר — אֶפְשָׁר, הֵיכָא דְּלָא אֶפְשָׁר — לָא אֶפְשָׁר.
But Rav Ḥisda said: We say that all of these long gaps between a woman washing her hair and immersing are permitted. But we do not say as proof that since a woman washes her hair before Shabbat and immerses only several days later, she may do so during a regular week as well. One cannot learn this halakha from those situations involving Shabbat, as one cannot derive cases where alternatives are possible from those cases where alternatives are not possible. Where it is possible for a woman to wash her hair and immerse immediately, it is possible, and she is not allowed to do so any earlier. But where it is not possible for a woman to wash her hair immediately before immersion, e.g., when she must immerse after the conclusion of Shabbat or a festival, it is impossible, and for this reason she is permitted to wash her hair in advance.
וְרַב יֵימַר אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ ״שֶׁכֵּן״ נָמֵי אָמְרִינַן, לְבַר מֵאִשָּׁה חוֹפֶפֶת בְּאֶחָד בַּשַּׁבָּת וְטוֹבֶלֶת בַּחֲמִישִׁי בַּשַּׁבָּת, דִּלְמוֹצָאֵי שְׁנֵי יָמִים טוֹבִים שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה שֶׁלְּאַחַר הַשַּׁבָּת לֵיתַהּ, דְּאֶפְשָׁר דְּחוֹפֶפֶת בַּלַּיְלָה וְטוֹבֶלֶת בַּלַּיְלָה.
And Rav Yeimar said: We even say the proof that since a woman washes her hair before Shabbat and immerses only several days later, she may do so during a regular week as well. Rav Yeimar agrees with Rav Huna in all cases apart from that of a woman who washes her hair on the first day of the week, Sunday, and immerses on the fifth day of the week, Wednesday night. He maintains that Rav Huna’s proof from the conclusion of two days of Rosh HaShana that is after Shabbat is not a sufficient proof, as even in such a case a woman may not wait so long. Rather, it is possible for her to wash her hair at night after the conclusion of Rosh HaShana and immerse on that same night, so that she should not have such a long gap between washing her hair and immersing.
דְּרַשׁ מָרִימָר: הִלְכְתָא כְּרַב חִסְדָּא, וּכְדִמְתָרֵץ רַב יֵימַר.
Mareimar taught: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rav Ḥisda, that a woman should not wash her hair many days before immersing except when there is no other possibility. And the halakha is also in accordance with the manner in which Rav Yeimar explains that if Rosh HaShana occurs after Shabbat a woman should wash her hair on the night of her immersion.
אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: אִשָּׁה מַהוּ שֶׁתָּחוֹף בַּלַּיְלָה וְתִטְבּוֹל בַּלַּיְלָה? מָר זוּטְרָא אוֹסַר, וְרַב חִינָּנָא מִסּוּרָא שָׁרֵי.
§ A dilemma was raised before the Sages: What is the halakha with regard to whether a woman may wash her hair at night and immerse on that same night? Mar Zutra deems it prohibited for her to do so. Since she will be in a hurry to immerse and return to her husband, there is a concern that she will not wash and examine her hair thoroughly. And Rav Ḥinnana from Sura deems it permitted for a woman to wash her hair on the night of her immersion.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַדָּא לְרַב חִינָּנָא מִסּוּרָא: לָאו הָכִי הֲוָה עוֹבָדָא בִּדְבֵיתְהוּ דְּאַבָּא מָרִי רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא, דְּאִיקּוּט, אֲזַל רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק לְפַיּוֹסַהּ, וַאֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: מַאי אִיתֵיהּ הַשְׁתָּא?
Rav Adda said to Rav Ḥinnana from Sura: Was there not an incident like this involving the wife of Abba Mari, the Exilarch, who quarreled with her husband, and as a result she did not want to immerse in a ritual bath to become permitted to him; and Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak went to appease her and to persuade her to immerse, and she said to him: What is there that can be done now? There is no reason for me to hurry and immerse now.
Follow
