Ketamim: Difference between revisions

## According to many poskim if a ketem is found within a short time period after going to the bathroom or relations there is a concern that the ketem is really a result of a hargasha and as such it is tameh on a Biblical level, in which case there are no leniencies of ketamim. However, other poskim aren't concerned about this.<ref>The Sidrei Tahara 190:36 and 190:67 is concerned that there was a hargasha when she went to the bathroom or had relations and didn't feel the hargasha as the Gemara Niddah 57b discusses. If so, a ketem found afterwards is potentially deoritta and if so there are no leniencies of ketamim. This is codified in the Badei Hashulchan 190:104. However, Rav Ovadia Yosef in Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 411 quotes the Pardes Rimonim who argues since the earlier poskim didn't mention this distinction. Furthermore, it might be an unlikely concern and she already has a chazaka of being tahora. Therefore, Rav Ovadia concludes that a ketem after these occurrences is treated like any other ketem. Rabbi Mordechai Willig (Niddah Shiur 93, 100) agreed with Rav Ovadia.

# Most women today do not feel the hargasha described by earlier poskim.<ref>Shev Yakov 40, Teshurat Shay 457, The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 70, Shoshanat Ha'amakim 1:4</ref> All the poskim conclude that nonetheless woman today are tameh on a Biblical level for a few reasons.<Ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 74 fnt. 15, Shoshanat Ha'amakim 1:9 says when a woman menstruates we assume she had a hargasha. Therefore, even if she seemingly experienced no hargasha, she is rendered impure min hatorah.</ref>

# Some poskim hold that if she knew that the blood came from her body she is a Niddah on a Biblical level.<ref>Sidrei Tahara 190:93 in understanding Rashi and Tosfot. See also Maharam Lublin (responsa 2).</ref>

# Some poskim hold that every woman is automatically tameh on a Biblical level. If she usually has a hargasha and one time doesn't then she's not tameh on a Biblical level, however, since woman today never have a hargasha they are automatically tameh on a Biblical level.<ref>Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshuva 1:84</ref>

# Some poskim hold that today the hargasha is defined by a normal type of seeing blood for a period, which is usually a normal amount of blood. However, if a woman is on a Mirena IUD she might still be a niddah on a Biblical level even if she only sees a drop each month since for her that is the normal way of her period.<ref>[http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/872192/rabbi-mordechai-i-willig/niddah-shiur-83-hargasha-today/ Rabbi Mordechai Willig (Niddah Shiur 83) on YUTorah.org] and in his notes to The Laws and Concepts of Niddah by Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky pg. 311</ref>

# If a ketem is found on something that doesn't contract tumah it is tahor.<ref>The Mishna Niddah 59b cites a dispute between Tanna Kama and Rabbi Nechemya whether something that's not mekabel tumah is susceptible to a ketem. Rabbi Nechemya holds that it is not. Tosfot Niddah 59a explains that the only reason that ketamim make a woman tameh is because the ketem itself is tameh because of the blood on it. However, something that isn't susceptible to tumah isn't susceptible to ketamim. The Rashba Niddah 57b s.v. amar provides another reason; since most clothing are mekabel tumah, chazal didn't make a gezerah on something that wasn't common. Most rishonim accept the opinion of Rabbi Nechemya including Rashba [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=8922&st=&pgnum=384 (Torat Habayit 23b)], Rosh (Niddah 9:2), and Rambam (Isurei Biyah 9:7) in opposition to the Raavad [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=8785&st=&pgnum=66 (Baalei Hanefesh p. 68)] who holds that we follow the Tana Kama. Tur and Shulchan Aruch YD 190:10 are lenient like most rishonim.</ref>

## For example, toilet paper isn't mekabel tumah and if a ketem is found on it, the ketem isn't tameh.<Ref>See Pitchei Teshuva 190:18 who cites a long discussion between the Nodeh Beyehuda, Chatom Sofer, and others if toilet paper of their day was mekabel tumah. However, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe 3:53) writes that our toilet paper is certainly not mekabel tumah since it is so thin that it falls apart and is unusable after it is used once. Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 406 agrees.</ref>  

* The Nodeh Beyehuda YD 2:105 held that the paper of his day which was made from worn out clothing is mekabel tumah because of being a thick cloth (levadim) even if it isn't woven. The source for this is the Rambam Kelim 1:11 and 22:2 and Tumat Tzarat 13:1, which in turn is based on Sifra Shemini  6:7:8 and Tosefta Negayim 5:1. Pads are made from cotton and as such aren't mekabel unless it is made into a thick cloth. Mishmeret Hatahara argues that even though the pads are thick they are't mekabel tumah since the Chatom Sofer 6:81 writes that a thick cloth is only mekabel tumah if it is made for a purpose of clothing but not if was made just to function as a piece of wood in order to clean or absorb liquid (Chullin 129a).</ref>

## Something attached to the ground, such as a toilet, isn't mekabel tumah and isn't susceptible to ketamim.<ref>Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 405, Badei Hashulchan 190:105, Orot Hatahara p. 130-2</ref>

## Clothing made completely out of nylon or polyester aren't mekabel tumah but if it is stitched with even a thread of linen it is mekabel tumah.<ref>Igrot Moshe YD 3:53 holds that nylon is tahor since it is made from petroleum from under the oceans. Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 407 agrees but adds if there is any linen stitching it is mekabel tumah.</ref> Practically even if a clothing says it is "100% polyester" it is subject to ketamim since they almost certainly have some threads of cotton in them.<ref>The Laws and Concepts of Niddah (p. 46) by Rabbi Sobolofsky</ref> Some say that if the nylon is made into clothing it is mekabel tumah.<ref>Minchat Yitzchak 4:118 holds that even nylon is mekabel tumah once it is made into an article of clothing. Badei Hashulchan 190:107 agrees.</ref>  

# If a ketem is found on something colored it is tahor.<ref>The Gemara Niddah 61b cites a machloket Rabbi Natan and Rabbanan whether colored garments have ketamim. Rashi (Niddah 61b) explains that there are no ketamim on colored garments since the blood isn't apparent on a colored garment. Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 393 adds that in the days of chazal they would distinguish between different shades of red and so if the garment was colored that significantly change the ruling. Shulchan Aruch YD 190:10 holds like those rishonim who pasken that colored garments don't have ketamim. The Beer Moshe 4:65 writes that a ketem on a colored garment that we know looks like blood is tameh. However, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 393 argues.</ref> The poskim clarify that off-white or light-beige is also white for these purposes. Additionally, many poskim hold that extremely light pastel colors are difficult to be considered colored, while others hold that they're also considered colored.<ref> Shevet Halevi YD 1:87 is strict regarding ketamim on yellow or other very light colored garments. However, Meil Tzedaka p. 62 and Rav Ovadia Yosef in Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 387 disagrees and holds that any colored garment doesn't have ketamim even yellow. Rabbi Mordechai Willig ([http://www.yutorah.org/sidebar/lecture.cfm/873050/rabbi-mordechai-i-willig/niddah-shiur-91-ketamim-on-the-tzivonim/ Niddah Shiur 91]) agrees. The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 205 writes that if it is off-white certainly it is considered white (as white garments of the days of chazal were probably not as white as those of today). Yet, extremely light pastel colors are difficult to classify and a woman should avoid wearing them.</ref>

## Even if the ketem is found on an undergarment that is close to the body if it is colored it is tahor.<ref>The Chatom Sofer YD 161 writes that colored garments only prevent ketamim on the outer garments and not the undergarments. He is also concerned for those rishonim including the Hagahot Maimoniyot and Ramban who hold that a ketem on a colored garments renders the woman tameh to her husband, even though for taharot it doesn't. However, the Maharsham 1:81, Chazon Ish YD 89:4, and Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 389 are lenient.</ref>

## If a garment is striped and the ketem is found partially on the white section and partially on the colored most poskim consider the area on the colored part to be ignored. However, if the ketem goes over a colored strip and is found on both sides on a white area those two white areas combine for the size of a garis.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 205, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 394</ref>

==The Location of the Ketem==

# If the ketem is found only on the woman's body it is only tameh if it is found on the inside part of the legs where they would touch when standing with legs together, heel, toes, or on the fingers or knuckles. Blood on the upper part of the body is tahor unless she woman laid down with her feet up.<Ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 190:11. Shach 190:17 accepts Shulchan Aruch's assertion regarding toes that a ketem found on any of them makes her tameh while the Taz 190:11 is lenient if the ketem is found on the top of the foot beyond the toes further out than the area parallel to the big toe. </ref>

# If the ketem is found both on her body and also on her clothing, if she has a valid reason to suspect that ketem came from an outside source such as if she walked through a butcher's market the ketem is tahor, otherwise it is tameh.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 190:11 based on Mishna Niddah 58b, Gemara Niddah 58b, Rashba, and Rambam</ref>

# If the ketem is only found on the clothing, if it is found by the area of the waist and below it is tameh. If it is on any clothing that is worn above the waist it is tahor because the stain wouldn't have come from her since it is above the waist. However, if she laid down with her feet up and there is a concern that the blood ended up on the upper part of her clothing the ketem is only tameh if it is found both on her clothing and her body but if it is just found on her clothing it is tahor.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 190:12 based on Gemara Niddah 57b, Rashba and Raavad. </ref>

## If she found a stain on her pajamas after she went to sleep a ketem on the upper part of the clothing is also tameh since the pajamas move all around.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 190:14</ref>

## If the ketem is found on the sleeve that could reach that area if she were to bend over it is tameh.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 190:13</ref>

# If the ketem was found on a garment which wasn't checked that it was clean from stain beforehand a ketem found on it is tahor.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 190:39</ref> However, if it was laundered in between it is considered like it was checked and a ketem found on it afterwards is tameh since the laundry would remove the stain.<ref>Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 446</ref>

==A Tameh Ketem==

# If a ketem is tameh and she was previously tahor she is now tameh and requires a hefsek tahara after waiting 5 days, according to Ashkenazim, and 4 days, according to Sephardim. After hefsek tahara she requires seven clean days known as shiva nekiyim with the requisite checks before she can go to mikveh.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 190:1 rules that if a woman sees a ketem that is tameh she requires a hefsek tahara and needs to have seven clean days afterwards. Rama adds that we treat the ketem like her seeing her regular period for all intents and purposes. Additionally, the Rama 197:11 writes that after seeing a ketem a woman needs to wait 5 days. While the Shach 196:21 questions whether it is necessary to wait these days prior to shiva nekiyim if they didn't have tashmish within the last 4 days. However, he concludes by quoting the Levush who says that the minhag is to be strict like the Rama. </ref>