Niddah and Family Purity (Hilchot Niddah and Taharat HaMishpacha)
Core concepts
Master the vestot (regular periods), the distinction between niddah, zavah, and shomeret yom b'veto, and the counting of shivah neki'im (seven clean days). Know the requirements of bedikah (examination) and hefsek taharah (cessation of bleeding).
Immersion
Study tevilah in a mikveh and the laws of chatzitzah (interposition). Understand the role of the balanit and the validity of the mikveh.
Traps
- Confusing the counting of seven clean days for a zavah with the niddah period.
- Ignoring chatzitzah issues (e.g., a ring, a bandage).
- Misapplying the rules of vestot to a woman with an irregular cycle.
- Treating a hefsek taharah as sufficient without bedikah.
Worked example
A woman sees blood on day 1 and stops on day 5. She performs a hefsek taharah on day 5, then counts seven clean days (days 6-12) with bedikah each day, and immerses on the night after day 12. If she sees blood again during the seven days, she restarts the count.