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

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Inspecting underwear

21 May, 2004

Question:

Is there a formal procedure for checking one’s white underwear during the seven clean days? In other words, although I am required to wear white underwear during the seven clean days, must I actively check my underwear for stains? If so, how often? If not, may I avoid looking at my underwear, and bathroom tissue for that matter, and rely solely on the bedikot?

Thank you.


Answer:

White underwear should be worn so that stains will be noticed. You do not have to carefully inspect the underwear because tiny stains that would be visible only upon careful inspection are generally much less than a gris in size. However, you should actively avoid looking at your underwear during this time period, unless you are having a specific problem. If this is the case, please get back to us with more details or call our telephone hotline.

There is never a halachic obligation to check bathroom tissue, even during the seven clean days, and in fact we recommend that women take certain precautions when wiping after urinating. See our article on toilet paper for more details.


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