Understanding Rav’s ruling on hefsek color

Home / Q&A / Hefsek Taharah, Taharah Process / Understanding Rav’s ruling on hefsek color

December 30, 2015

Question

I thought I learned that the bedikah cloth for a hefsek taharah must be entirely clean, but two times I have had some dark red/light brown staining on the moch and the bedikah cloth from the morning, which is leftover menses. The Rabbi has told me that it is fine and I just want to make sure that this is the case – Is it because it is not active bleeding it is not considered to be a barrier to beginning to count the 7 clean days?

Answer

While some halachic authorities are more stringent regarding colored discharges on a hefsek taharah (for example certain shades of brown), many poskim do not differentiate between a hefsek taharah and any other bedikot.

In general, light colors such as clear, white, yellow, or light brown (the color of coffee with milk added) are deemed acceptable without further consultation. Dark browns or colors with a reddish hue should be brought for evaluation. Questionable bedikot may be found to be an acceptable color (generally categorized as brown) by an experienced authority.

Bedikot are evaluated based on the color of the discharge, and not on whether bleeding is considered “active.”

We hope this provided some clarity. You may also contact your rav to clarify his position, and ask him for clarification regarding any bedikot you bring him.

Please contact us with any further questions. B’hatzlacha!

This answer was updated on 10 February, 2022.

Taharat HaMishpacha

Marriage

Life Stages

Fertility

Women's Health