Speck on hefsek

Hi there

I already asked a question today but have just thought of another (I really love your website by the way, I am learning so much from it and so many questions are being answered just by reading other people's questions!)

Basically, I was wondering, with a hefsek taharah, am I looking for a 100% clean white cloth to come out? Or is it ok if there is a speck on it of a red/brown colour? I know you need a certain size stain to RENDER you a niddah, but does the same apply when you are looking to come out of the bleeding days? (I hope that made sense)

Many thanks for your help

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your question.

Thank you for the compliment.  We hope you will continue to learn from our posts.  We also encourage you to continue to ask your own questions, since answers may vary in certain situations.

Leniencies based on size apply only to external stains (ketamim). They do not apply to any bedikah or hefsek taharah; a speck can invalidate them.

The purpose of the hefsek taharah is to establish that you have stopped bleeding.  Therefore, the requirements are rather stringent. Most rabbis evaluate colors on a hefsek taharah more stringently than on other bedikot. 

Even so, a hefsek taharah such as you describe is worth bringing to a rabbi for evaluation.  Browns on a hefsek taharah may be acceptable depending on their shade.  For example, a light brown with no hint of red would be acceptable.  Other browns are best evaluated by a rabbi, who can also give you guidance on how to evaluate future stains.

Always make sure to check the cloth carefully before doing the bedikah to make sure there are no small specks on the cloth. If you do find a speck after performing a bedikah, and suspect that it may be a foreign object rather than blood, bring the cloth to a rabbi for evaluation.

Please feel free to get back to us with any other 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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