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

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Toilet paper & bedikah

26 October, 2003
Question:

Hi,

I went to the mikvah six days ago, this morning I had relations with my husband and several hours later after I went to the bathroom, and noticed a small amount of blood on the toilet tissue. I made a bedikah, and there was blood on it. I haven't seen any more blood since I made that bedikah earlier today.

What do I do? Do I wait 5 days then make a hefsek taharah, then count another 7 to go to the mikvah? If so, I will remain a niddah for the next 3 weeks, since I am expecting my period next week.

I am sorry for the confusion, as I am a kallah. I appreciate your time.
Thank you.


Answer:

The blood on the bedikah made you a niddah. You have to wait five days, then count seven. If your period starts in the middle, then you will have to start to count the seven days again when that bleeding stops. (You do not need to recount the five day minimum).

Blood on toilet tissue alone does not always make you a niddah. The rules for stains on bedikah cloths are more stringent (see article on ketamim for why). Therefore, should this situation arise again, do not do a bedikah and ask a halachic question how to proceed at that point.

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