Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Yearly Archives: 2017

Does the Mikveh Attendant Need to Watch Me Immerse?

Does the Mikveh Attendant Need to Watch Me Immerse?

Standard practice at the mikveh is for the mikveh attendant (balanit) to accompany the woman immersing to the mikveh pool. Generally, the woman wears a towel or robe, which she hands to the attendant as she enters the water. The attendant turns around or averts her eyes until the woman has gone down the steps… Read More

Young Israel Hires Women’s Halachic Adviser

Young Israel Hires Women’s Halachic Adviser

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES by Leah Harrison | September 26, 2017 Knowledgable Women Maintain Family Purity Many observant women, for reasons of modesty, do not consult rabbis with intimate questions. Although the Modern Orthodox synagogue has had yoatzot as scholars in residence, Sinensky is the first official hire for the community, Young Israel Rabbi Adam Starr said. She… Read More

Painful bedikot, discomfort asking questions

We are sorry to hear that the bedikot have been so painful and uncomfortable for you. If you do not experience similar discomfort during relations or when using a tampon, then it is most likely that the bedikot could be done differently and less painfully. A woman should never wash herself to the point of… Read More

Period resumed while breastfeeding

Mazal tov on the birth of your baby! It is very common for women to have irregular bleeding in the first year post-partum, especially when nursing.  This varies from woman to woman and, for each woman, from pregnancy to pregnancy. It is possible that you will now be menstruating monthly, but there is no way… Read More

Immersion with fungal infection

The mikveh waters are usually sufficiently chlorinated to prevent spread of germs or infection. You could ask to be last one to immerse that night just to be sure. You should speak to your doctor about whether having intercourse is advisable until the fungal infection clears up. Often it causes pain or discomfort during intercourse,… Read More

Pain with bedikot and intimacy

Thank you for your really kind and thoughtful words! It means a lot to us to receive such positive feedback. We are so sorry to hear of your loss, and of the difficulties you are experiencing with bedikot and intimacy. It is possible that you are experiencing anxiety about the bedikot and clenching up your… Read More

Caring for a Spouse

The harchakot can present a particular challenge in cases of significant illness, injury, or disability. When one spouse needs to give care to the other, the couple can be lenient with harchakot that do not involve direct physical contact (e.g., passing objects directly, serving food, pushing a wheelchair, or putting on shoes). A caregiving spouse… Read More

Irregular period going off pill

It is common to experience irregular periods for a few months after going off the pill. You will treat this as a regular period – waiting the minimum days from when you became niddah before performing the hefsek taharah, counting seven clean days and immersing. You will calculate your onot as usual from this period… Read More

Stain-free pill?

In making a choice about a contraceptive pill, it is critical to consult your physician so that he or she can take your needs and medical history fully into account. Combination estrogen and progesterone pills tend to lead to less staining than pills with progesterone alone. Among combination pills, those with formulations including higher estrogen… Read More

Staining after orgasm

It is theoretically possible for there to be some hormonal effects of orgasm that can lead to staining.  If this continues, we suggest consulting with your physician to rule out any other medical concern. Regarding your niddah status, the key factor is the timing of staining relative to the timing of relations. As long as… Read More

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