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Leviticus 15:26 - Tumah during prolonged discharge?

Leviticus 15:26 - ויקרא 15:26

Hebrew Text

כָּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּב אֲשֶׁר־תִּשְׁכַּב עָלָיו כָּל־יְמֵי זוֹבָהּ כְּמִשְׁכַּב נִדָּתָהּ יִהְיֶה־לָּהּ וְכָל־הַכְּלִי אֲשֶׁר תֵּשֵׁב עָלָיו טָמֵא יִהְיֶה כְּטֻמְאַת נִדָּתָהּ׃

English Translation

Every bed on which she lies all the days of her issue shall be to her as the bed of her menstruation: and whatever she sits upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her menstruation.

Transliteration

Kol-hamishkav asher tishkav alav kol-yemei zovah kemishkav nidatah yihyeh-lah vechol-hakli asher teshev alav tame yihyeh ketumat nidatah.

Hebrew Leining Text

כׇּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֞ב אֲשֶׁר־תִּשְׁכַּ֤ב עָלָיו֙ כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י זוֹבָ֔הּ כְּמִשְׁכַּ֥ב נִדָּתָ֖הּ יִֽהְיֶה־לָּ֑הּ וְכׇֽל־הַכְּלִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּשֵׁ֣ב עָלָ֔יו טָמֵ֣א יִהְיֶ֔ה כְּטֻמְאַ֖ת נִדָּתָֽהּ׃
כׇּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֞ב אֲשֶׁר־תִּשְׁכַּ֤ב עָלָיו֙ כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י זוֹבָ֔הּ כְּמִשְׁכַּ֥ב נִדָּתָ֖הּ יִֽהְיֶה־לָּ֑הּ וְכׇֽל־הַכְּלִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּשֵׁ֣ב עָלָ֔יו טָמֵ֣א יִהְיֶ֔ה כְּטֻמְאַ֖ת נִדָּתָֽהּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse in Context

The verse (Vayikra 15:26) discusses the laws of zavah, a woman who experiences irregular uterine bleeding beyond the days of her regular niddah period. The Torah equates the impurity (tumah) of a zavah to that of a niddah, extending the same restrictions to objects she comes into contact with during her state of impurity.

Key Halachic Principles

  • Mishkav and Moshav: The verse specifies two categories of impurity transmission: mishkav (objects she lies upon) and moshav (objects she sits upon). Rashi (Vayikra 15:26) explains that these become primary sources of impurity (av hatumah), capable of imparting impurity to people and objects.
  • Duration of Impurity: Rambam (Hilchos Metamei Mishkav U'Moshav 1:1) clarifies that this status applies kol yemei zovah (all the days of her discharge), meaning even during "clean days" before immersion, reinforcing the severity of zivah impurity.

Comparative Tumah: Niddah vs. Zavah

The Talmud (Niddah 35b) derives from the phrase "כְּטֻמְאַת נִדָּתָהּ" that the impurity levels are identical - whether through direct contact (maga) or through carrying (massa). However, the Midrash (Toras Kohanim 15:26) notes that a zavah requires seven clean days and a korban, indicating a more stringent process for purification than a regular niddah.

Practical Implications

  • Household Items: The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 190:1) rules that any furniture or bedding used by a zavah requires immersion in a mikveh after her purification.
  • Preventative Measures: The Rema adds that pious women traditionally use distinctive bedding during niddah and zivah periods to avoid accidental impurity transfer.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Niddah 33a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning a woman's menstrual impurity (niddah), specifically addressing the impurity of objects she comes into contact with during her period.
📖 Zavim 95b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the impurity of a zavah (a woman with abnormal discharge) and how it compares to the impurity of a niddah (menstruating woman).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 15:26 mean?
A: Leviticus 15:26 discusses the laws of ritual impurity (tumah) related to a woman who has an abnormal discharge (zavah). The verse states that any bed she lies on or object she sits on during this time becomes ritually impure, just like during her regular menstrual period (niddah). This is part of the Torah's detailed laws about purity and impurity.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish law?
A: This verse is important because it establishes the halachic (Jewish legal) principle that a zavah (woman with an abnormal discharge) transmits ritual impurity to objects she touches, just like a niddah (menstruating woman). The Talmud (Niddah 35b) and later halachic authorities like Rambam (Hilchot Metamei Mishkav uMoshav) derive practical laws from this about how to handle such cases.
Q: How does this apply to Jewish life today?
A: While the Temple is not standing and many purity laws cannot be fully observed today, the concepts from this verse still inform contemporary Jewish practice. The laws of niddah observed today by Orthodox Jews are connected to these principles. The verse reminds us of the Torah's detailed system for maintaining spiritual purity in our personal lives.
Q: What's the difference between niddah and zavah mentioned here?
A: As explained in the Talmud (Niddah 72a) and Rashi on this verse, niddah refers to regular menstrual impurity, while zavah refers to abnormal uterine bleeding outside the regular cycle. A zavah has stricter purity laws - she must wait seven 'clean days' after her bleeding stops before immersing, unlike niddah which typically requires waiting just until the bleeding stops plus seven clean days.
Q: Why does the Torah have laws about ritual impurity?
A: The Midrash (Torat Kohanim) explains that these laws teach us about spiritual boundaries and the importance of sanctity in our physical lives. While the exact reasons for these commandments (chukim) aren't fully known, they help create awareness of holiness in our most intimate aspects of life. The Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed 3:47) suggests they also promote moderation and proper attitudes toward physical relationships.