Ketamim: Difference between revisions

# 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 the garmet is colored, the stain 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>Pitchei Teshuva 190:20 quoting the Meil Tzedaka, The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 205, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 394, Shoshanat Ha'amakim 1:14</ref>