Trading beds

Are mattresses mekabel tum'a? We are considering moving our bedroom furniture, but for multiple reasons, that would affect which bed we each sleep on. Can we just "trade" beds or do we have to switch the mattresses too? Are the bed frames themselves a problem? The way the beds are made, they only fit together one way.

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Mattresses are mekabel tumah. This means that if you find a blood stain on them greater than a certain size (a gris), it could make you niddah. However, currently, in the absence of the Temple, we do not observe ritual tumah and taharah in sense of there being any difference whether the bed, table, dishes, etc. are tahor or tamei.

Concerning not sleeping in each other's beds during a time of separation, "renaming" the beds by permanently changing their positions, bedding, etc., should be enough. If there are other aspects you are worried about, please get back to us and clarify them.

This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases.

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