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On a Torah level a woman is only tameh if she has a ''hargasha'' when she sees blood.<ref>Shmuel in Gemara Niddah 57b. See also Mishna Niddah 58b.</ref> There is a major dispute as to what this includes and even further dispute nowadays when these signs aren't usually observed today.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 70</ref> Nonetheless, all poskim agree that today woman do become | On a Torah level a woman is only tameh if she has a ''hargasha'' when she sees blood.<ref>Shmuel in Gemara Niddah 57b. See also Mishna Niddah 58b. </ref> There is a major dispute as to what this includes and even further dispute nowadays when these signs aren't usually observed today.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 70</ref> Nonetheless, all poskim agree that today woman do become niddah on a Torah level even though she isn't sure that she had a hargasha at all.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 74 fnt. 15 and Appendix A. See Pitchei Teshuva 190:1.</ref> Either way, the rabbis declared that any time a woman sees blood from her body she is tameh.<ref>Shach 190:1</ref> These laws apply equally to single and married women.<Ref> Rama 183:1. Torat Hashelamim 183:4 writes that although the gemara Nidda 31b says in the name of Rabbi Meir that the the reason to observe the separation from nidda for seven days is to keep the marriage fresh because when it becomes regular it becomes disgusting, so with the observance nidda it becomes like they're married anew, nevertheless this applies to single women.</ref> Additionally, if she sees the blood after it came out and is found as a stain it will also make her nidda<Ref>Shulchan Aruch 190:1</ref> In the halachot of niddah a stain is called a ketem and the plural is ketamim. | ||
==What is a Hargasha?== | ==What is a Hargasha?== | ||
# The most accepted definition of a hargasha is that if a woman feels that her mekor (usually defined as the uterus) opened that is a hargasha and when blood comes out that will make her | # The most accepted definition of a hargasha is that if a woman feels that her mekor (usually defined as the uterus) opened that is a hargasha and when blood comes out that will make her niddah.<ref>Trumat Hadeshen 246, Shulchan Aruch YD 190:1, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 334, Shoshanat Ha'amakim 1:1</ref> | ||
# Alternatively, another definition of hargasha given by the poskim is feeling something liquid moving and exiting the body.<ref>Nodeh Beyehuda YD 1:55 holds that feeling a liquid exiting the body is a type of hargasha while the Chatom Sofer 1:145 argues that it isn't a type of hargasha. Sidrei Tahara 190:1 cites this as a dispute between the Shev Yakov who | # Alternatively, another definition of hargasha given by the poskim is feeling something liquid moving and exiting the body.<ref>Nodeh Beyehuda YD 1:55 holds that feeling a liquid exiting the body is a type of hargasha while the Chatom Sofer 1:145 argues that it isn't a type of hargasha. Sidrei Tahara 190:1 cites this as a dispute between the Shev Yakov who held that it wasn't a type of hargasha, and Maharshach who held it was. Rav Ovadia Yosef in Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 14 holds that this isn't a type of hargasha.</ref> | ||
## Many contemporary poskim hold that this hargasha is only if she feels an internal flow through the uterine opening and not a vaginal flow.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 76 citing Shaarei Tahara p. 8 quoting Rav Elyashiv and others. Chavot Daat 190:1 suggests this in understanding the concept of a hargasha of a flow. </ref> Others say that even if a woman feels a vaginal flow (from the vagina outside) that is also a hargasha. However, feeling an external dampness is certainly not a hargasha.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 76 citing Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe 4:17:7</ref> | ## Many contemporary poskim hold that this hargasha is only if she feels an internal flow through the uterine opening and not a vaginal flow.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 76 citing Shaarei Tahara p. 8 quoting Rav Elyashiv and others. Chavot Daat 190:1 suggests this in understanding the concept of a hargasha of a flow. </ref> Others say that even if a woman feels a vaginal flow (from the vagina outside) that is also a hargasha. However, feeling an external dampness is certainly not a hargasha.<ref>The Laws of Niddah v. 1 p. 76 citing Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe 4:17:7</ref> | ||
# Lastly, some poskim hold that if the woman feels her body trembling that is considered a hargasha.<ref>Pitchei Teshuva 183:1 based on Rambam Isurei Biyah 5:17</ref> | # Lastly, some poskim hold that if the woman feels her body trembling that is considered a hargasha.<ref>Pitchei Teshuva 183:1 based on Rambam Isurei Biyah 5:17, Shoshanat Ha'amakim 1:1</ref> | ||
# There are also a few occurrences which | |||
## According to many poskim if a ketem is found within a short time period after going to the bathroom or | ===Masked Hargasha=== | ||
* Chazon Ish 90:1 is lenient regarding a ketem after | # There are also a few occurrences which Chazal state could be confused with a hargasha. Therefore, if blood is found at one of these times according to many poskim there is a concern that there was a hargasha even if she didn't feel one. These examples include: going to the bathroom, doing an internal bedika, and having relations<ref>Niddah 57b, Pitchei Teshuva 183:1 citing the Chavot Daat 190 and Sidrei Tahara</ref> | ||
## If a woman sees blood on | ## 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. | ||
===If there is a Hargasha | * Chazon Ish 90:1 is lenient regarding a ketem after urination but not relations.</ref> | ||
## If a woman sees blood on toilet paper or in the toilet after going to the bathroom, she should consult with a doctor and rabbi. Some poskim hold that the blood on the toilet paper isn’t an issue of a ketem since the toilet paper isn’t mekabel tumah. Additionally, the blood in the water or on the toilet isn’t an issue of ketem since they aren’t mekabel tumah. Other poskim hold that we can't employ the leniencies of ketamim since she saw this ketem right after going to the bathroom and perhaps this blood came with a hargasha and she didn’t realize.<ref>Sidrei Tahara and Chavot Daat are concerned that any time a woman sees blood when she goes to the bathroom there’s a concern that there was a hargasha and she didn’t realize. This is based on their understanding of the Gemara Niddah 57b. See Machasit Hashekel 190:1 for the two ways of reading of this gemara. Some poskim argue that we're not concerned for a hargasha since it isn't common and she has a chazaka of being tahora. See Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 411. Regarding toilet paper being mekabel tumah see further based on Igrot Moshe 3:53. Regarding the water in the toilet bowl, Rabbi Willig cited the Taharat Yisrael who was lenient since the water is connected to the water in the reservoir. </ref> | |||
===If there is a Hargasha Without any Blood=== | |||
# If a woman felt her mekor open and didn't find any blood she is nonetheless tameh.<ref>Trumat Hadeshen 246, Shulchan Aruch YD 190:1</ref> if she's not sure if she had such a hargasha she's tahor.<Ref>Nodeh Beyehuda YD 2:118, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 334</ref> If she checks immediately and doesn't find any blood there is a dispute if she is tahor.<ref>Pitchei Teshuva 190:5 quotes the Kereti Upeleti as holding that she is tahor and the Chavot Daat as holding that she is tameh.</ref> | # If a woman felt her mekor open and didn't find any blood she is nonetheless tameh.<ref>Trumat Hadeshen 246, Shulchan Aruch YD 190:1</ref> if she's not sure if she had such a hargasha she's tahor.<Ref>Nodeh Beyehuda YD 2:118, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 334</ref> If she checks immediately and doesn't find any blood there is a dispute if she is tahor.<ref>Pitchei Teshuva 190:5 quotes the Kereti Upeleti as holding that she is tahor and the Chavot Daat as holding that she is tameh.</ref> | ||
# If a woman felt a liquid exiting her body or a trembling of her body and didn't find any blood she is not tameh.<ref>Chacham Adam 113:1 (cited by Pitchei Teshuva 190:3) writes that if a woman trembles and checks and doesn't find any blood she doesn't need to be concerned that she is tameh. Sidrei Tahara 190:3 adds that even for the hargasha of feeling a liquid exit the body it is possible that one can assume it was mey raglayim since that's more common than blood. Therefore, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 334 rules that the stringency of the trumat hadeshen that automatically a hargasha renders a woman tameh doesn't apply to the body trembling or feeling a liquid exit the body.</ref> | # If a woman felt a liquid exiting her body or a trembling of her body and didn't find any blood she is not tameh.<ref>Chacham Adam 113:1 (cited by Pitchei Teshuva 190:3) writes that if a woman trembles and checks and doesn't find any blood she doesn't need to be concerned that she is tameh. Sidrei Tahara 190:3 adds that even for the hargasha of feeling a liquid exit the body it is possible that one can assume it was mey raglayim since that's more common than blood. Therefore, Taharat Habayit v. 1 p. 334 rules that the stringency of the trumat hadeshen that automatically a hargasha renders a woman tameh doesn't apply to the body trembling or feeling a liquid exit the body.</ref> | ||
===Hargasha Nowadays=== | ===Hargasha Nowadays=== | ||
# Most | # 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 feeling an ache or the like prior to or during having a period, which is common, is a type of hargasha.<Ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe YD 4:17:12, Maharam Shik YD 177, 184 based on Rambam Isurei Biyah 8:2. Mishmeret Hatahara (ch. 1 fnt. 15) quotes Rav Elyashiv as saying that we're concerned for this type of hargasha nowadays when feeling a hargasha isn't common.</ref> | # Some poskim hold that feeling an ache or the like prior to or during having a period, which is common, is a type of hargasha.<Ref>Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe YD 4:17:12, Maharam Shik YD 177, 184 based on Rambam Isurei Biyah 8:2. Mishmeret Hatahara (ch. 1 fnt. 15) quotes Rav Elyashiv as saying that we're concerned for this type of hargasha nowadays when feeling a hargasha isn't common.</ref> | ||
# Some poskim hold that today we do have the same types of hargasha though we just don't realize it.<Ref>Aruch Hashulchan YD 190:61, Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe 4:17:12. The Laws of Niddah v. 1 Appendix A cites Chatom Sofer 177 as agreeing with this approach.</ref> | # Some poskim hold that today we do have the same types of hargasha though we just don't realize it.<Ref>Aruch Hashulchan YD 190:61, Rav Moshe Feinstein in Igrot Moshe 4:17:12. The Laws of Niddah v. 1 Appendix A cites Chatom Sofer 177 as agreeing with this approach.</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 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 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]</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> | ||
==Leniencies of Ketamim== | ==Leniencies of Ketamim== | ||
