Search

Niddah 73

Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:

English
עברית
podcast placeholder

0:00
0:00




podcast placeholder

0:00
0:00




Summary

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?

Today’s daily daf tools:

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.

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.

For the Beyond the Daf shiurim offered in Hebrew, see here.

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
Wendy Rozov

Phoenix, AZ, United States

See video

Susan Fisher
Susan Fisher

Raanana, Israel

I am grateful for the structure of the Daf Yomi. When I am freer to learn to my heart’s content, I learn other passages in addition. But even in times of difficulty, I always know that I can rely on the structure and social support of Daf Yomi learners all over the world.

I am also grateful for this forum. It is very helpful to learn with a group of enthusiastic and committed women.

Janice Block-2
Janice Block

Beit Shemesh, Israel

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
Leeza Hirt Wilner

New York, United States

I learned Talmud as a student in Yeshivat Ramaz and felt at the time that Talmud wasn’t for me. After reading Ilana Kurshan’s book I was intrigued and after watching the great siyum in Yerushalayim it ignited the spark to begin this journey. It has been a transformative life experience for me as a wife, mother, Savta and member of Klal Yisrael.
Elana Storch
Elana Storch

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

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
Caroline Graham-Ofstein

Bet Shemesh, Israel

I began my journey with Rabbanit Michelle more than five years ago. My friend came up with a great idea for about 15 of us to learn the daf and one of us would summarize weekly what we learned.
It was fun but after 2-3 months people began to leave. I have continued. Since the cycle began Again I have joined the Teaneck women.. I find it most rewarding in so many ways. Thank you

Dena Heller
Dena Heller

New Jersey, United States

What a great experience to learn with Rabbanit Michelle Farber. I began with this cycle in January 2020 and have been comforted by the consistency and energy of this process throughout the isolation period of Covid. Week by week, I feel like I am exploring a treasure chest with sparkling gems and puzzling antiquities. The hunt is exhilarating.

Marian Frankston
Marian Frankston

Pennsylvania, United States

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
Janine Rubens

Virginia, United States

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
Meira Shapiro

NJ, 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
Ruth Leah Kahan

Ra’anana, Israel

I started learning after the siyum hashas for women and my daily learning has been a constant over the last two years. It grounded me during the chaos of Corona while providing me with a community of fellow learners. The Daf can be challenging but it’s filled with life’s lessons, struggles and hope for a better world. It’s not about the destination but rather about the journey. Thank you Hadran!

Dena Lehrman
Dena Lehrman

אפרת, Israel

I have joined the community of daf yomi learners at the start of this cycle. I have studied in different ways – by reading the page, translating the page, attending a local shiur and listening to Rabbanit Farber’s podcasts, depending on circumstances and where I was at the time. The reactions have been positive throughout – with no exception!

Silke Goldberg
Silke Goldberg

Guildford, United Kingdom

It has been a pleasure keeping pace with this wonderful and scholarly group of women.

Janice Block
Janice Block

Beit Shemesh, Israel

About a year into learning more about Judaism on a path to potential conversion, I saw an article about the upcoming Siyum HaShas in January of 2020. My curiosity was piqued and I immediately started investigating what learning the Daf actually meant. Daily learning? Just what I wanted. Seven and a half years? I love a challenge! So I dove in head first and I’ve enjoyed every moment!!
Nickie Matthews
Nickie Matthews

Blacksburg, United States

I started learning Daf Yomi because my sister, Ruth Leah Kahan, attended Michelle’s class in person and suggested I listen remotely. She always sat near Michelle and spoke up during class so that I could hear her voice. Our mom had just died unexpectedly and it made me feel connected to hear Ruth Leah’s voice, and now to know we are both listening to the same thing daily, continents apart.
Jessica Shklar
Jessica Shklar

Philadelphia, 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
Shira Krebs

Minnesota, United States

תמיד רציתי. למדתי גמרא בבית ספר בטורונטו קנדה. עליתי ארצה ולמדתי שזה לא מקובל. הופתעתי.
יצאתי לגימלאות לפני שנתיים וזה מאפשר את המחוייבות לדף יומי.
עבורי ההתמדה בלימוד מעגן אותי בקשר שלי ליהדות. אני תמיד מחפשת ותמיד. מוצאת מקור לקשר. ללימוד חדש ומחדש. קשר עם נשים לומדות מעמיק את החוויה ומשמעותית מאוד.

Vitti Kones
Vitti Kones

מיתר, ישראל

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
Khaya Eisenberg

Jerusalem, Israel

I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!

Pamela Elisheva
Pamela Elisheva

Bakersfield, United States

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.

Want to follow content and continue where you left off?

Create an account today to track your progress, mark what you’ve learned, and follow the shiurim that speak to you.

Clear all items from this list?

This will remove ALL the items in this section. You will lose any progress or history connected to them. This is irreversible.

Cancel
Yes, clear all

Are you sure you want to delete this item?

You will lose any progress or history connected to this item.

Cancel
Yes, delete