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

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Remarriage after menopause

6 August, 2014

Question:

I have a theoretical question. If a post–menopausal woman is getting married, and she fully observed the laws of taharat hamispacha in a previous marriage including immersion after her last period, would it be necessary for her to immerse prior to a subsequent marriage? If so would she say the bracha? (I am questioning the need for the bracha as I am unsure of what miitzvah she would be observing.) Thanks.


Answer:

Every bride, including one who is marrying after menopause, should perform a hefsek taharah and observe shivah neki'imincluding at least one bedikah on each of the clean days, before immersing. This even applies to a bride who is tehorah (having immersed subsequent to her last menstrual period), since there is an additional halachic concern that a bride may experience slight uterine bleeding due to the excitement of the upcoming wedding. This bleeding is called dam chimud. Since the immersion is mandatory, a bracha is said.

She should omit the moch dachuk, since it may be irritating. If she finds the bedikot uncomfortable, such a woman should be in touch with us or with a rabbi about ways to make the process easier.


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