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 Sara Averick in loving memory of her mother, Leah Shifrin Averick, לאה בת יהודה לייב חייקל וחיה מאשה. “She infused her many descendants with her love for Torah, Israel and the Jewish people.”
This week’s learning is sponsored by Elana and Daniel Storch in honor of their youngest daughter Arianne Yael’s engagement to Brett Aiken and for a for a refuah shleima for Ilana Malka bat Aviva Tamar and Leah Maritza bat Raizel. “We are thrilled to share besorot tovot with our Hadran Family. We pray that the chuppah will take place בשעה טובה ומוצלחת and they should be zoche to build a בית נאמן בישראל.
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 Sara Averick in loving memory of her mother, Leah Shifrin Averick, לאה בת יהודה לייב חייקל וחיה מאשה. “She infused her many descendants with her love for Torah, Israel and the Jewish people.”
This week’s learning is sponsored by Elana and Daniel Storch in honor of their youngest daughter Arianne Yael’s engagement to Brett Aiken and for a for a refuah shleima for Ilana Malka bat Aviva Tamar and Leah Maritza bat Raizel. “We are thrilled to share besorot tovot with our Hadran Family. We pray that the chuppah will take place בשעה טובה ומוצלחת and they should be zoche to build a בית נאמן בישראל.
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.
In early January of 2020, I learned about Siyyum HaShas and Daf Yomi via Tablet Magazine’s brief daily podcast about the Daf. I found it compelling and fascinating. Soon I discovered Hadran; since then I have learned the Daf daily with Rabbanit Michelle Cohen Farber. The Daf has permeated my every hour, and has transformed and magnified my place within the Jewish Universe.
Lisa Berkelhammer
San Francisco, CA , United States
I started my Daf Yomi journey at the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic.
Karena Perry
Los Angeles, 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.
Anne Rubin
Elkins Park, United States
I LOVE learning the Daf. I started with Shabbat. I join the morning Zoom with Reb Michelle and it totally grounds my day. When Corona hit us in Israel, I decided that I would use the Daf to keep myself sane, especially during the days when we could not venture out more than 300 m from our home. Now my husband and I have so much new material to talk about! It really is the best part of my day!
Batsheva Pava
Hashmonaim, Israel
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.
Sue Parker Gerson
Denver, United States
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
I started learning Daf Yomi in January 2020 after watching my grandfather, Mayer Penstein z”l, finish shas with the previous cycle. My grandfather made learning so much fun was so proud that his grandchildren wanted to join him. I was also inspired by Ilana Kurshan’s book, If All the Seas Were Ink. Two years in, I can say that it has enriched my life in so many ways.
Leeza Hirt Wilner
New York, United States
In January 2020 on a Shabbaton to Baltimore I heard about the new cycle of Daf Yomi after the siyum celebration in NYC stadium. I started to read “ a daily dose of Talmud “ and really enjoyed it . It led me to google “ do Orthodox women study Talmud? “ and found HADRAN! Since then I listen to the podcast every morning, participate in classes and siyum. I love to learn, this is amazing! Thank you
Sandrine Simons
Atlanta, United States
When we heard that R. Michelle was starting daf yomi, my 11-year-old suggested that I go. Little did she know that she would lose me every morning from then on. I remember standing at the Farbers’ door, almost too shy to enter. After that first class, I said that I would come the next day but couldn’t commit to more. A decade later, I still look forward to learning from R. Michelle every morning.
Ruth Leah Kahan
Ra’anana, Israel
I went to day school in Toronto but really began to learn when I attended Brovenders back in the early 1980’s. Last year after talking to my sister who was learning Daf Yomi, inspired, I looked on the computer and the Hadran site came up. I have been listening to each days shiur in the morning as I work. I emphasis listening since I am not sitting with a Gamara. I listen while I work in my studio.
Rachel Rotenberg
Tekoa, Israel
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
A Gemara shiur previous to the Hadran Siyum, was the impetus to attend it.It was highly inspirational and I was smitten. The message for me was התלמוד בידינו. I had decided along with my Chahsmonaim group to to do the daf and take it one daf at time- without any expectations at all. There has been a wealth of information, insights and halachik ideas. It is truly exercise of the mind, heart & Soul
Phyllis Hecht
Hashmonaim, Israel
I was moved to tears by the Hadran Siyyum HaShas. I have learned Torah all my life, but never connected to learning Gemara on a regular basis until then. Seeing the sheer joy Talmud Torah at the siyyum, I felt compelled to be part of it, and I haven’t missed a day!
It’s not always easy, but it is so worthwhile, and it has strengthened my love of learning. It is part of my life now.
Michelle Lewis
Beit Shemesh, Israel
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 with Ze Kollel in Berlin, directed by Jeremy Borowitz for Hillel Deutschland. We read Masechet Megillah chapter 4 and each participant wrote his commentary on a Sugia that particularly impressed him. I wrote six poems about different Sugiot! Fascinated by the discussions on Talmud I continued to learn with Rabanit Michelle Farber and am currently taking part in the Tikun Olam course.
Yael Merlini
Berlin, Germany
My first Talmud class experience was a weekly group in 1971 studying Taanit. In 2007 I resumed Talmud study with a weekly group I continue learning with. January 2020, I was inspired to try learning Daf Yomi. A friend introduced me to Daf Yomi for Women and Rabbanit Michelle Farber, I have kept with this program and look forward, G- willing, to complete the entire Shas with Hadran.
Lorri Lewis
Palo Alto, CA, United States
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
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 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
I attended the Siyum so that I could tell my granddaughter that I had been there. Then I decided to listen on Spotify and after the siyum of Brachot, Covid and zoom began. It gave structure to my day. I learn with people from all over the world who are now my friends – yet most of us have never met. I can’t imagine life without it. Thank you Rabbanit Michelle.
Emma Rinberg
Raanana, Israel
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
