In recent months, my menstrual cycle has not been so regular—sometimes it comes a day or two early, and sometimes it is a day or two late. It happens that spotting begins several days before the anticipated separation time. How can I know when a stain prohibits all physical contact and when we must begin the harchakot? Of course, marital relations are prohibited.
Shalom u’vracha,
Indeed, nowadays, when women do not experience hargashot, it is difficult to know what constitutes a sighting and a menstrual flow, and what constitutes a stain. The leading poskim have indeed grappled with this issue, and their conclusion is: if the stain is larger than three gris (each gris being the size of a shekel coin), she is tamei, and they must refrain from all forms of contact. However, if it is smaller than this measure, one may be lenient regarding other forms of physical closeness, though marital relations are prohibited.
Sources and rationale:
See Sefer Ezer Mikodesh (Even HaEzer, siman 115, se’if 4), and She’elot u’Teshuvot Shevet HaLevi, vol. 10 (siman 142), concerning a stain larger than the prescribed measure on a colored garment; see also Sefer Avnei Shoham – Peniri (siman 190, se’if 1, p. 374).
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. Therefore, it may contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
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