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

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Keeping days 30 & 31 as onah beinonit

10 June, 2005

Question:

Since I got married, I have always observed the days 30 and 31 as the onah beinonit, but recently heard that this is not halachically required. Could you advise me on this question?


Answer:

There are a variety of customs with respect to the Onah Beinonit

Most authorities hold that the onah beinonit falls on the thirtieth day from the beginning of a woman's last menstrual period. The first day of her period is day one, and the onah beinonit is day thirty.  Some authorities maintain that the onah beinonit falls on the thirty-first day from the beginning of a woman's last period. Therefore, some women have the custom to observe both the thirtieth and thirty-first days as onot perishah.  Additionally, some women observe onah beinonit for a full 24 hours, from sunset to sunset, of whatever Hebrew date the onah beinonit falls on.

Since this is a matter of custom, we recommend that you or your husband contact your rabbi for his position on this issue.  Generally, a hatarat nedarim would be required for such a change, as changing this custom is not automatically permitted.


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