Yoatzot News

Stains on pastel

I found two blood stains (each probably bigger than a dime), on my sheet in the morning after having intercourse. It may have something to do with the fact that I am starting menopause (I just turned 49) . I see that if it was on a colored sheet the "stain is not taken into account" meaning it is not a problem as I understand it. My question is whether the sheet is considered colored if it is a dark pink design on a very light pink background?
Thank you for providing this great service. Where have you been all these years?



Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

There is some debate about the status of very light pastels.  Our halachic position is to treat light pastels (other than off-white) as a colored surface.  Thus, light pink is a colored surface and stains on it without hargashah do not render a woman niddah.

Nevertheless, as a precaution against having relations when a flow begins, we would recommend abstaining from relations for at least twenty-four hours, or until you are sure the staining has ceased.

We're glad to be of service!  Please write back with any further questions.

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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