Are the differences between nidda and zava something passed from by an old established tradition (halacha l’Moshe mi Sinai) or from verses? The braita raises all sorts of possibilities in order to understand how we know what the Torah meant the difference to be between nidda and zava and how to determine if blood is seen, which category does it fall into?
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 73
״בְּלֹא עֶת נִדָּתָהּ״ (עַל נִדָּתָהּ) — סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ.
“And if a woman has a discharge of her ziva blood for many days not in the time of her menstruation, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation, all the days of the issue of her ziva she shall be as in the days of her menstruation: She is impure” (Leviticus 15:25). This verse teaches that a woman becomes a zava only if she experiences bleeding close to her days of menstruation, i.e., on the day following her days of menstruation, but not during her days of menstruation.
וְאֵין לִי אֶלָּא סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ, מוּפְלָג לְנִדָּתָהּ יוֹם אֶחָד מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אוֹ כִּי תָּזוּב״.
The baraita continues: And I have derived only that she is a zava in a case where she experiences bleeding close to her time of menstruation. From where do I derive that if she experiences bleeding one day separated from her days of menstruation she is also a zava? The verse states: “Or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25).
אֵין לִי אֶלָּא יוֹם אֶחָד, מִנַּיִן לְרַבּוֹת מוּפְלָג שְׁנַיִם, שְׁלֹשָׁה, אַרְבָּעָה, חֲמִשָּׁה, שִׁשָּׁה, וְשִׁבְעָה, שְׁמוֹנָה, תִּשְׁעָה, עֲשָׂרָה, מִנַּיִן?
The baraita further states: I have derived only that she is a zava in a case where she experiences bleeding one day away from her time of menstruation. From where is it derived to include a case when she experiences bleeding two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten days separated from her days of menstruation that she is also a zava? From where is this derived?
אָמַרְתָּ: מָה מָצִינוּ בִּרְבִיעִי שֶׁרָאוּי לִסְפִירָה וְרָאוּי לְזִיבָה, אַף אֲנִי אָבִיא הָעֲשִׂירִי שֶׁרָאוּי לִסְפִירָה וְרָאוּי לְזִיבָה.
You say as follows: Just as we find with regard to a woman who experiences bleeding on the fourth day of her days of ziva, that it is fit for counting, i.e., if she experiences bleeding for the first time on that day she must count one clean day for the one day that she experienced bleeding, and it is fit for ziva, i.e., if it is the last of three consecutive days of sightings that she becomes a greater zava, so too I will bring and include the tenth day, as it is fit for counting if she experiences bleeding for the first time on that day, and fit for ziva if she experiences bleeding for the third consecutive day on the tenth day.
וּמִנַּיִן לְרַבּוֹת אַחַד עָשָׂר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״בְּלֹא עֶת נִדָּתָהּ״. יָכוֹל שֶׁאֲנִי מְרַבֶּה אַף שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר? אָמַרְתָּ: לָאו.
The baraita continues: And from where is it derived to include a case where she experiences bleeding on the eleventh day after her days of menstruation? The verse states: “Not in the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25). One might have thought that I include even the twelfth day after her period of menstruation. You must say: No, as that is no longer within her days of ziva.
וּמָה רָאִיתָ לְרַבּוֹת אַחַד עָשָׂר וּלְהוֹצִיא שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר? מְרַבֶּה אֲנִי אַחַד עָשָׂר — שֶׁרָאוּי לִסְפִירַת ״אוֹ כִי תָזוּב״, וּמוֹצִיא אֲנִי שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר — שֶׁאֵין רָאוּי לִסְפִירַת ״אוֹ כִי תָזוּב״.
The baraita further states: And what did you see to include the eleventh day and to exclude the twelfth day? I include the eleventh day as it is fit for counting the seven clean days that follow sightings on three consecutive days which ended on the fourth day, as derived from the verse: “Or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25), as explained; and I exclude the twelfth day as it is not fit for counting the seven clean days after the fourth day, a requirement derived from the same verse: “Or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation.”
וְאֵין לִי אֶלָּא שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים, שְׁנֵי יָמִים מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״יְמֵי״, יוֹם אֶחָד מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״כׇּל יְמֵי״.
The baraita continues: And I have derived only that a woman is impure as a zava if she experiences bleeding for three consecutive days. From where do I derive that she is impure if she experiences bleeding for two consecutive days? The continuation of the verse states: “All the days of the issue of her ziva she shall be as in the days of her menstruation: She is impure” (Leviticus 15:25). The plural “days” indicates two days. From where is it derived that she is impure if she experiences bleeding on only one day? The verse states: “All the days of the issue of her ziva she shall be as in the days of her menstruation: She is impure.”
״טְמֵאָה״ — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁמְּטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ כְּנִדָּה. ״הִיא״ — הִיא מְטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ, וְאֵין הַזָּב מְטַמֵּא מָה שֶׁהוּא בּוֹעֵל.
The baraita further explains that the word “impure” in that verse teaches that a zava renders one who engages in intercourse with her impure, just like a menstruating woman does. The term: “She is impure,” indicates that she, a zava, renders a man who engages in intercourse with her impure, but a zav does not render a woman whom he engages in intercourse with ritually impure.
וַהֲלֹא דִּין הוּא, וּמָה הִיא שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְטַמְּאָה בִּרְאִיּוֹת כִּבְיָמִים — מְטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ, הוּא שֶׁמְּטַמֵּא בִּרְאִיּוֹת כִּבְיָמִים — אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁמְּטַמֵּא מַה שֶּׁהוּא בּוֹעֵל! תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״הִיא״ — הִיא מְטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ, וְאֵין הַזָּב מְטַמֵּא מַה שֶּׁהוּא בּוֹעֵל.
One might have thought that one who engages in intercourse with a zav has the same status as one who engages in intercourse with a zava. Could this not be derived through an a fortiori inference? And if a zava, who does not become impure through three sightings like she becomes impure if she experiences bleeding for three consecutive days, and yet she renders a man who engages in intercourse with her impure, then with regard to a zav, who becomes impure through three sightings even on a single day like he becomes impure by seeing a discharge for three consecutive days, isn’t it logical that he should render a women whom he engages in intercourse with ritually impure? Therefore, the verse states: “She shall be impure.” This teaches that a zava renders a man who engages in intercourse with her impure, but a zav does not render a woman whom he engages in intercourse with ritually impure.
וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה מִשְׁכָּב וּמוֹשָׁב? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כְּמִשְׁכַּב נִדָּתָהּ״.
And from where is it derived that a zava transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting? The verse states: “Every bed which she lies on all the days of her discharge shall be for her like the bed of her menstruation; and everything that she sits on shall be impure, as the impurity of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:26).
וְאֵין לִי אֶלָּא שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים, שְׁנֵי יָמִים מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״יְמֵי״, יוֹם אֶחָד מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כׇּל יְמֵי״.
And I have derived only that she transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting if she experiences bleeding for three consecutive days and is a greater zava. From where do I derive that she transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting if she experiences bleeding for two consecutive days and is only a lesser zava? The verse states “days.” And from where do I derive that she transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting even if she experiences bleeding on only one day? The verse states: “All the days of her discharge.”
וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁסּוֹפֶרֶת אֶחָד לְאֶחָד? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״יִהְיֶה לָהּ״. יָכוֹל תִּסְפּוֹר שִׁבְעָה לִשְׁנַיִם? וְדִין הוּא: וּמָה הוּא, שֶׁאֵין סוֹפֵר אֶחָד לְאֶחָד, סוֹפֵר שִׁבְעָה לִשְׁנַיִם — הִיא, שֶׁסּוֹפֶרֶת אֶחָד לְאֶחָד, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁתִּסְפּוֹר שִׁבְעָה לִשְׁנַיִם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״יִהְיֶה לָהּ״ — אֵינָהּ סוֹפֶרֶת אֶלָּא יוֹמָהּ.
The baraita continues: And from where is it derived that she counts one clean day for experiencing bleeding on one day? The verse states: “All the days of her discharge shall be for her.” One might have thought that she must count seven clean days for experiencing bleeding on two consecutive days. And this is a logical inference: Just as a zav, who does not count one clean day if he sees a discharge on one day, nevertheless must count seven clean days if he sees a discharge on two days, then with regard to a zava, who counts one clean day if she experiences bleeding on one day, isn’t it logical that she should count seven clean days if she experiences bleeding on two consecutive days? The verse states: “All the days of her discharge shall be for her,” which teaches that she counts only her one day even if she experiences bleeding for two consecutive days.
אַלְמָא קְרָאֵי נִינְהוּ! לְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא — קְרָאֵי, לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה — הִלְכְתָא.
The Gemara explains the difficulty from this baraita: Evidently, the halakhot of the eleven days of ziva are derived from verses and are not a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai. The Gemara answers: According to the opinion of Rabbi Akiva these halakhot are derived from verses. According to the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya they are a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב שְׁמַעְיָה לְרַבִּי אַבָּא: אֵימָא, בִּימָמָא תִּהְוֵי זָבָה, בְּלֵילְיָא תִּהְוֵי נִדָּה! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עֲלָךְ אָמַר קְרָא ״עַל נִדָּתָהּ״ — סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ. סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ אֵימַת הָוֵי? בְּלֵילְיָא, וְקָא קָרֵי לַהּ זָבָה.
With regard to the verse discussing the days of ziva, Rav Shemaya said to Rabbi Abba: But one can say that if she experiences bleeding during the daytime she shall be a zava, but if she experiences bleeding at night she shall be a menstruating woman, as the verse specifies “days.” Rabbi Abba said to him: With regard to your claim, the verse states: “Beyond the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25), which teaches that she becomes a zava if she experiences bleeding close to her days of menstruation. When is the time close to her days of menstruation? At night. And with regard to an emission during this time the verse calls her a zava.
תָּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: כׇּל הַשּׁוֹנֶה הֲלָכוֹת בְּכׇל יוֹם, מוּבְטָח לוֹ שֶׁהוּא בֶּן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״הֲלִיכוֹת עוֹלָם לוֹ״, אַל תִּקְרֵי ״הֲלִיכוֹת״ אֶלָּא הֲלָכוֹת.
The Gemara concludes the tractate with a general statement with regard to Torah study. The school of Elijah taught: Anyone who studies halakhot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “His ways [halikhot] are eternal” (Habakkuk 3:6). Do not read the verse as halikhot; rather, read it as halakhot. The verse indicates that the study of halakhot brings one to eternal life in the future world.
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ תִּינוֹקֶת, וּסְלִיקָא לַהּ מַסֶּכֶת נִדָּה.
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 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 began learning with Rabbanit Michelle’s wonderful Talmud Skills class on Pesachim, which really enriched my Pesach seder, and I have been learning Daf Yomi off and on over the past year. Because I’m relatively new at this, there is a “chiddush” for me every time I learn, and the knowledge and insights of the group members add so much to my experience. I feel very lucky to be a part of this.
Julie Landau
Karmiel, Israel
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
3 years ago, I joined Rabbanit Michelle to organize the unprecedented Siyum HaShas event in Jerusalem for thousands of women. The whole experience was so inspiring that I decided then to start learning the daf and see how I would go…. and I’m still at it. I often listen to the Daf on my bike in mornings, surrounded by both the external & the internal beauty of Eretz Yisrael & Am Yisrael!
Lisa Kolodny
Raanana, Israel
I started learning at the beginning of this cycle more than 2 years ago, and I have not missed a day or a daf. It’s been challenging and enlightening and even mind-numbing at times, but the learning and the shared experience have all been worth it. If you are open to it, there’s no telling what might come into your life.
Patti Evans
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
I’ve been wanting to do Daf Yomi for years, but always wanted to start at the beginning and not in the middle of things. When the opportunity came in 2020, I decided: “this is now the time!” I’ve been posting my journey daily on social media, tracking my progress (#DafYomi); now it’s fully integrated into my daily routines. I’ve also inspired my partner to join, too!
Joséphine Altzman
Teaneck, United States
I began learning the daf in January 2022. I initially “flew under the radar,” sharing my journey with my husband and a few close friends. I was apprehensive – who, me? Gemara? Now, 2 years in, I feel changed. The rigor of a daily commitment frames my days. The intellectual engagement enhances my knowledge. And the virtual community of learners has become a new family, weaving a glorious tapestry.
Gitta Jaroslawicz-Neufeld
Far Rockaway, United States
I started my journey on the day I realized that the Siyum was happening in Yerushalayim and I was missing out. What? I told myself. How could I have not known about this? How can I have missed out on this opportunity? I decided that moment, I would start Daf Yomi and Nach Yomi the very next day. I am so grateful to Hadran. I am changed forever because I learn Gemara with women. Thank you.
Linda Brownstein
Mitspe, Israel
Retirement and Covid converged to provide me with the opportunity to commit to daily Talmud study in October 2020. I dove into the middle of Eruvin and continued to navigate Seder Moed, with Rabannit Michelle as my guide. I have developed more confidence in my learning as I completed each masechet and look forward to completing the Daf Yomi cycle so that I can begin again!
Rhona Fink
San Diego, United States
In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.
Rhondda May
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
I started my journey on the day I realized that the Siyum was happening in Yerushalayim and I was missing out. What? I told myself. How could I have not known about this? How can I have missed out on this opportunity? I decided that moment, I would start Daf Yomi and Nach Yomi the very next day. I am so grateful to Hadran. I am changed forever because I learn Gemara with women. Thank you.
Linda Brownstein
Mitspe, Israel
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.
Anne Rubin
Elkins Park, United States
In my Shana bet at Migdal Oz I attended the Hadran siyum hash”as. Witnessing so many women so passionate about their Torah learning and connection to God, I knew I had to begin with the coming cycle. My wedding (June 24) was two weeks before the siyum of mesechet yoma so I went a little ahead and was able to make a speech and siyum at my kiseh kallah on my wedding day!
Sharona Guggenheim Plumb
Givat Shmuel, Israel
It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.
Janice Block
Beit Shemesh, Israel
Having never learned Talmud before, I started Daf Yomi in hopes of connecting to the Rabbinic tradition, sharing a daily idea on Instagram (@dafyomiadventures). With Hadran and Sefaria, I slowly gained confidence in my skills and understanding. Now, part of the Pardes Jewish Educators Program, I can’t wait to bring this love of learning with me as I continue to pass it on to my future students.
Hannah Greenberg
Pennsylvania, United States
I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.
Medinah Korn
בית שמש, Israel
I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!
Khaya Eisenberg
Jerusalem, Israel
After reading the book, “ If All The Seas Were Ink “ by Ileana Kurshan I started studying Talmud. I searched and studied with several teachers until I found Michelle Farber. I have been studying with her for two years. I look forward every day to learn from her.
Janine Rubens
Virginia, United States
It’s hard to believe it has been over two years. Daf yomi has changed my life in so many ways and has been sustaining during this global sea change. Each day means learning something new, digging a little deeper, adding another lens, seeing worlds with new eyes. Daf has also fostered new friendships and deepened childhood connections, as long time friends have unexpectedly become havruta.
Joanna Rom
Northwest Washington, United States
I started learning at the start of this cycle, and quickly fell in love. It has become such an important part of my day, enriching every part of my life.
Naomi Niederhoffer
Toronto, Canada
Niddah 73
״בְּלֹא עֶת נִדָּתָהּ״ (עַל נִדָּתָהּ) — סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ.
“And if a woman has a discharge of her ziva blood for many days not in the time of her menstruation, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation, all the days of the issue of her ziva she shall be as in the days of her menstruation: She is impure” (Leviticus 15:25). This verse teaches that a woman becomes a zava only if she experiences bleeding close to her days of menstruation, i.e., on the day following her days of menstruation, but not during her days of menstruation.
וְאֵין לִי אֶלָּא סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ, מוּפְלָג לְנִדָּתָהּ יוֹם אֶחָד מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אוֹ כִּי תָּזוּב״.
The baraita continues: And I have derived only that she is a zava in a case where she experiences bleeding close to her time of menstruation. From where do I derive that if she experiences bleeding one day separated from her days of menstruation she is also a zava? The verse states: “Or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25).
אֵין לִי אֶלָּא יוֹם אֶחָד, מִנַּיִן לְרַבּוֹת מוּפְלָג שְׁנַיִם, שְׁלֹשָׁה, אַרְבָּעָה, חֲמִשָּׁה, שִׁשָּׁה, וְשִׁבְעָה, שְׁמוֹנָה, תִּשְׁעָה, עֲשָׂרָה, מִנַּיִן?
The baraita further states: I have derived only that she is a zava in a case where she experiences bleeding one day away from her time of menstruation. From where is it derived to include a case when she experiences bleeding two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten days separated from her days of menstruation that she is also a zava? From where is this derived?
אָמַרְתָּ: מָה מָצִינוּ בִּרְבִיעִי שֶׁרָאוּי לִסְפִירָה וְרָאוּי לְזִיבָה, אַף אֲנִי אָבִיא הָעֲשִׂירִי שֶׁרָאוּי לִסְפִירָה וְרָאוּי לְזִיבָה.
You say as follows: Just as we find with regard to a woman who experiences bleeding on the fourth day of her days of ziva, that it is fit for counting, i.e., if she experiences bleeding for the first time on that day she must count one clean day for the one day that she experienced bleeding, and it is fit for ziva, i.e., if it is the last of three consecutive days of sightings that she becomes a greater zava, so too I will bring and include the tenth day, as it is fit for counting if she experiences bleeding for the first time on that day, and fit for ziva if she experiences bleeding for the third consecutive day on the tenth day.
וּמִנַּיִן לְרַבּוֹת אַחַד עָשָׂר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״בְּלֹא עֶת נִדָּתָהּ״. יָכוֹל שֶׁאֲנִי מְרַבֶּה אַף שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר? אָמַרְתָּ: לָאו.
The baraita continues: And from where is it derived to include a case where she experiences bleeding on the eleventh day after her days of menstruation? The verse states: “Not in the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25). One might have thought that I include even the twelfth day after her period of menstruation. You must say: No, as that is no longer within her days of ziva.
וּמָה רָאִיתָ לְרַבּוֹת אַחַד עָשָׂר וּלְהוֹצִיא שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר? מְרַבֶּה אֲנִי אַחַד עָשָׂר — שֶׁרָאוּי לִסְפִירַת ״אוֹ כִי תָזוּב״, וּמוֹצִיא אֲנִי שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר — שֶׁאֵין רָאוּי לִסְפִירַת ״אוֹ כִי תָזוּב״.
The baraita further states: And what did you see to include the eleventh day and to exclude the twelfth day? I include the eleventh day as it is fit for counting the seven clean days that follow sightings on three consecutive days which ended on the fourth day, as derived from the verse: “Or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25), as explained; and I exclude the twelfth day as it is not fit for counting the seven clean days after the fourth day, a requirement derived from the same verse: “Or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her menstruation.”
וְאֵין לִי אֶלָּא שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים, שְׁנֵי יָמִים מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״יְמֵי״, יוֹם אֶחָד מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״כׇּל יְמֵי״.
The baraita continues: And I have derived only that a woman is impure as a zava if she experiences bleeding for three consecutive days. From where do I derive that she is impure if she experiences bleeding for two consecutive days? The continuation of the verse states: “All the days of the issue of her ziva she shall be as in the days of her menstruation: She is impure” (Leviticus 15:25). The plural “days” indicates two days. From where is it derived that she is impure if she experiences bleeding on only one day? The verse states: “All the days of the issue of her ziva she shall be as in the days of her menstruation: She is impure.”
״טְמֵאָה״ — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁמְּטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ כְּנִדָּה. ״הִיא״ — הִיא מְטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ, וְאֵין הַזָּב מְטַמֵּא מָה שֶׁהוּא בּוֹעֵל.
The baraita further explains that the word “impure” in that verse teaches that a zava renders one who engages in intercourse with her impure, just like a menstruating woman does. The term: “She is impure,” indicates that she, a zava, renders a man who engages in intercourse with her impure, but a zav does not render a woman whom he engages in intercourse with ritually impure.
וַהֲלֹא דִּין הוּא, וּמָה הִיא שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְטַמְּאָה בִּרְאִיּוֹת כִּבְיָמִים — מְטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ, הוּא שֶׁמְּטַמֵּא בִּרְאִיּוֹת כִּבְיָמִים — אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁמְּטַמֵּא מַה שֶּׁהוּא בּוֹעֵל! תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״הִיא״ — הִיא מְטַמְּאָה אֶת בּוֹעֲלָהּ, וְאֵין הַזָּב מְטַמֵּא מַה שֶּׁהוּא בּוֹעֵל.
One might have thought that one who engages in intercourse with a zav has the same status as one who engages in intercourse with a zava. Could this not be derived through an a fortiori inference? And if a zava, who does not become impure through three sightings like she becomes impure if she experiences bleeding for three consecutive days, and yet she renders a man who engages in intercourse with her impure, then with regard to a zav, who becomes impure through three sightings even on a single day like he becomes impure by seeing a discharge for three consecutive days, isn’t it logical that he should render a women whom he engages in intercourse with ritually impure? Therefore, the verse states: “She shall be impure.” This teaches that a zava renders a man who engages in intercourse with her impure, but a zav does not render a woman whom he engages in intercourse with ritually impure.
וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה מִשְׁכָּב וּמוֹשָׁב? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כְּמִשְׁכַּב נִדָּתָהּ״.
And from where is it derived that a zava transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting? The verse states: “Every bed which she lies on all the days of her discharge shall be for her like the bed of her menstruation; and everything that she sits on shall be impure, as the impurity of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:26).
וְאֵין לִי אֶלָּא שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים, שְׁנֵי יָמִים מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״יְמֵי״, יוֹם אֶחָד מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״כׇּל יְמֵי״.
And I have derived only that she transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting if she experiences bleeding for three consecutive days and is a greater zava. From where do I derive that she transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting if she experiences bleeding for two consecutive days and is only a lesser zava? The verse states “days.” And from where do I derive that she transmits impurity to items designated for lying or sitting even if she experiences bleeding on only one day? The verse states: “All the days of her discharge.”
וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁסּוֹפֶרֶת אֶחָד לְאֶחָד? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״יִהְיֶה לָהּ״. יָכוֹל תִּסְפּוֹר שִׁבְעָה לִשְׁנַיִם? וְדִין הוּא: וּמָה הוּא, שֶׁאֵין סוֹפֵר אֶחָד לְאֶחָד, סוֹפֵר שִׁבְעָה לִשְׁנַיִם — הִיא, שֶׁסּוֹפֶרֶת אֶחָד לְאֶחָד, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁתִּסְפּוֹר שִׁבְעָה לִשְׁנַיִם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״יִהְיֶה לָהּ״ — אֵינָהּ סוֹפֶרֶת אֶלָּא יוֹמָהּ.
The baraita continues: And from where is it derived that she counts one clean day for experiencing bleeding on one day? The verse states: “All the days of her discharge shall be for her.” One might have thought that she must count seven clean days for experiencing bleeding on two consecutive days. And this is a logical inference: Just as a zav, who does not count one clean day if he sees a discharge on one day, nevertheless must count seven clean days if he sees a discharge on two days, then with regard to a zava, who counts one clean day if she experiences bleeding on one day, isn’t it logical that she should count seven clean days if she experiences bleeding on two consecutive days? The verse states: “All the days of her discharge shall be for her,” which teaches that she counts only her one day even if she experiences bleeding for two consecutive days.
אַלְמָא קְרָאֵי נִינְהוּ! לְרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא — קְרָאֵי, לְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה — הִלְכְתָא.
The Gemara explains the difficulty from this baraita: Evidently, the halakhot of the eleven days of ziva are derived from verses and are not a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai. The Gemara answers: According to the opinion of Rabbi Akiva these halakhot are derived from verses. According to the opinion of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya they are a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב שְׁמַעְיָה לְרַבִּי אַבָּא: אֵימָא, בִּימָמָא תִּהְוֵי זָבָה, בְּלֵילְיָא תִּהְוֵי נִדָּה! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: עֲלָךְ אָמַר קְרָא ״עַל נִדָּתָהּ״ — סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ. סָמוּךְ לְנִדָּתָהּ אֵימַת הָוֵי? בְּלֵילְיָא, וְקָא קָרֵי לַהּ זָבָה.
With regard to the verse discussing the days of ziva, Rav Shemaya said to Rabbi Abba: But one can say that if she experiences bleeding during the daytime she shall be a zava, but if she experiences bleeding at night she shall be a menstruating woman, as the verse specifies “days.” Rabbi Abba said to him: With regard to your claim, the verse states: “Beyond the time of her menstruation” (Leviticus 15:25), which teaches that she becomes a zava if she experiences bleeding close to her days of menstruation. When is the time close to her days of menstruation? At night. And with regard to an emission during this time the verse calls her a zava.
תָּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: כׇּל הַשּׁוֹנֶה הֲלָכוֹת בְּכׇל יוֹם, מוּבְטָח לוֹ שֶׁהוּא בֶּן הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״הֲלִיכוֹת עוֹלָם לוֹ״, אַל תִּקְרֵי ״הֲלִיכוֹת״ אֶלָּא הֲלָכוֹת.
The Gemara concludes the tractate with a general statement with regard to Torah study. The school of Elijah taught: Anyone who studies halakhot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “His ways [halikhot] are eternal” (Habakkuk 3:6). Do not read the verse as halikhot; rather, read it as halakhot. The verse indicates that the study of halakhot brings one to eternal life in the future world.
הֲדַרַן עֲלָךְ תִּינוֹקֶת, וּסְלִיקָא לַהּ מַסֶּכֶת נִדָּה.
Follow
