Rules of stains

Rules of stains

18 May, 2005

Question:

What are the rules on spotting?

Yesterday I had one spot. I thought I was getting my period but it did not come.

What do I do?

Thank you

Answer:

A spot on colored underwear does not make you niddah. We do, however, suggest you refrain from relations for 24 hours after seeing a stain, in order to have a better idea of what is going on.

Stains found on white underwear are evaluated based on their size and color. A stain smaller than a circle 19 mm in diameter (about the size of an Israeli shekel or a US dime) is not problematic even if it is red. If the stain is larger than this, then it is judged by its color, which needs to be evaluated by a rabbi or halachic authority who is knowledgable in this area.

Stains on toilet paper are a more complicated issue.

We suggest you read our articles on stains for more general information, and please get back to us with more specific details about the specific stain you saw, as it may not be problematic at all. Please include where and when you noticed the stain, and – if you saw it on toilet paper – whether you waited at least 15 seconds between urination and wiping.

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