preventing halachic questions

When a woman finds a blood stain, or spotting she must consult a Rav about her halachic status. However, the only time one is obligated to look, or notice if there is any blood or bleeding,  is during the Shiva Nekiim- the seven clean days and the certain specified days (onos of separation) on your personal Mikvah calendar (I will add link to our Halacha section online). At all other times, one SHOULD NOT look to see if there is bleeding. Looking for bleeding when not obligated to do so, is looking for trouble. It can cause one to become Nidah unnecessarily.

Not looking for bleeding is not cheating the system. It is obeying the system. The Halacha advises one not to look for bleeding, and to prevent noticing blood, during times that it is not halachically mandated to look or check.

The following is a list of practical suggestions to women who tend to notice or look for bleeding. These suggestions will help you avoid having a question for the Rav in the first place. Remember, these suggestions do not apply during Shiva Nekiim (looking at tissues is not required then or on onos either, perhaps eliminate this line and add as below). Yes, Please add this to #2

1. Wear colored underwear – stains found on colored garments are less strict halachically than stains found on white underwear. (one must wear white during sheva nekiim)

2. Do not look at bathroom tissues before flushing them.

3. Use colored tissues in case you have a difficult time not looking at tissues. Stains found on colored items are less strict for halachic purposes. (to my knowledge this is not true al pi Chabad. Any tissue has same status, according to Rav Chaikin, and is considered status of a bedikah) Are you able to verify this?

4. If you have a private bathroom, consider hanging a “DO NOT LOOK” sign on the wall.

5.  Do not look at the toilet water after using the bathroom. If you have a really difficult time not looking at the toilet water – add blue toilet bowl cleaner to your toilet (example: tidy bowl) (how about adding, learn to flush the toilet before you stand up to avoid looking inside of it)Good suggestion, please add

6. Use colored sheets on your bed. (white sheets should be used during sheva nekiim)

7. During intimacy, spread a thick, dark colored towel across your bed. Do not leave white undergarments in your bed. Clean up with dark wash cloths. Do not look down at the sink or shower drain afterwards.

8. If you like wearing panty liners- use black panty liners (can be purchased at mikvah.org I will provide link)

9. If using a vaginal applicator (example- for medication) DO NOT look at the applicator upon removal. Have a black or colored garbage bag ready for the direct disposable of the applicator. Close the bag and dispose.

10. Only perform Bedikot when Halachically required. DO NOT do a Bedika at any other time just to see “what’s doing”, unless specifically told to do so by the Rav. Blood found on items inserted vaginally are very strict halachically. If you are not sure if a Bedika is required, ask a Rav, before doing one.

11. Although Hargasha translates to “feeling” a halachic “Hargasha” does not equal “feeling”. Please do not perform a Bedika for a Hargasha unless you have been instructed to do so by your Rav or Kallah teacher. Always be sure that what you are ‘feeling” is actually a Hargasha that requires a Bedika.

 If despite your best efforts not to look, you still find a stain or spot, do not automatically assume that you are Nidah. Do not dispose of the garment/tissue, etc.  Ask the Rav about your Nidah status. Not all stains or spots cause the Nidah status Remember, the Torah and Halacha want us to be in a state of Kedushah- ritual purity. Torah wants husband and wife to have an intimate life. You are not required to look for blood when it is not Shiva Nekiim and/or the certain specified days (onos of separation) on your personal Mikvah calendar (I will add link to our Halacha section online). By following these tips, husband and wife may have more “clean” days together and may prevent becoming Nidah when not necessary.

Call Channie Akerman at (718) 756-0781 for an Appointment

Welcome to Bodeket Channie

Spotting or staining does not “automatically” render a woman niddah; it depends on where the blood is coming from. While this distinction may be irrelevant to medical doctors, who are focused onpathology and disease, a Bodeket can determine the source of bleeding and provide a report for your Rav, so a proper and informed halachic decision can be made.
Now you can be examined confidentially and discreetly by Channie Akerman, who was trained by the original Bodeket in Israel. Endorsed by prominent Rabbonim and numerous authors of sefarim on Taharat Hamishpacha, the exam can sometimes prevent unnecessary separation time and trips to the mikvah.
Special attention and guidance is also given to newlyweds, who are often unsure at this special time in their lives. Practical, hands-on instruction provided in how to make bedikot and similar issues.


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