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

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Preparing a packed lunch

25 February, 2009
Question:

While a niddah is a woman allowed to prepare a specific meal for her husband (ie make and pack his lunch for the day)?


Answer:

Yes, a woman is allowed to prepare a specific meal, such as a packed lunch, for her husband while she is niddah.

Serving one's spouse is considered to have special overtones of affection and is therefore subject to certain restrictions during niddah. Thus, a wife should not place food on her husband's plate in front of him, nor prepare a plate of food and set it directly before him. It is fine to bring a platter to the table "family style," from which he also takes.

According to some authorities, these restrictions on serving are limited to drinks; according to others, they apply to food as well. They are reciprocal – the husband also cannot serve his wife.

For more discussion of this topic, please see our article Affectionate Service.

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