Posted on : 05 Mar, 2006
Subject : Niddah: Menstruation and the Covenant
Niddah: Menstruation
Biblical law, found in Leviticus 18:19 and 20:18, prohibits vaginal sexual contact with a woman who is menstruating. The ban specifically applies to menstrual blood, and the source of that blood. The prohibition includes all types of intra-vaginal sex. [1]In these, and other passages of Scripture, the status of the menstruating woman is referred to as ‘niddah’, which mainly means ‘separated’ or ‘separation’. The word niddah [Strong’s 5079] is also translated as “flowers”[2] in the KJV. In that instance, it means menstrual blood. There are other verses that relate to niddah, but these two are of key importance. It is our halachah[3] to say that the laws that relate to Believers are those that have “been established by two or three witnesses.” [Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16, 2nd Corinthians 13:1] In other words, the laws of Yahweh are repeated in the Torah – for clarification and emphasis. Occasionally a direction is given which is not repeated; those are considered to be cultural interpretations or situational applications of the law. Simply put, this means that our halachah is that we rely upon and seek to obey those laws that stated two or three times. Rules that are stated only once are considered to be circumstantial, and subject to reinterpretation or termination.
In the case of niddah, the directions given in Leviticus 15:19-33 are mainly hygienic in nature, and secondarily relate to Temple ordinances. Because modern hygiene is substantially improved compared with six thousand years ago, and because the performances and ordinances of the Temple came to an end, the expanded regulations regarding menstruation in Leviticus 15 do not apply. The only rule that does apply in our day is the prohibition against intra-vaginal sex during menstruation.
The Scriptures do refer to menstrual flow as ‘unclean’ or ‘impure’. It is symbolic of that which is wasteful, unfulfilled, unprepared, etc. Menstrual flow was something to be avoided for hygienic reasons. While ‘unclean’ can be symbolic of sin, menstruation has nothing to do with sin. There is nothing wicked or perverse about menstruation. [Unfortunately, menstruation was inaccurately translated as ‘sickness’ in some English versions of Scripture.]
In the days of the Temple, menstruation was to be to be followed by mikvah – ritual purification in water, similar to baptism. Then she becomes ritually pure. Ancient Hebrew communities often built a mikvah before they would build a synagogue.
Physical reasons
In order to understand the physical rationale behind the commandment to avoid intra-vaginal sex during niddah, we must understand the nature of menstruation, as well as the menstrual cycle. There are reasons for not deliberately handling the menstrual discharge, and for avoiding vaginal penetration.
Menstrual fluid is a combination of discarded cells of the endometrium, mucous, blood, and bacteria. Menstrual blood also contains whatever viruses may be in a woman’s bloodstream [such as HIV, hepatitis, and other viruses]. If menstrual blood ‘backs up’ into the Fallopian tubes it causes infection, known as pelvic inflammatory disease. Menstrual blood literally is potentially infectious.
The physical reason for abstaining from vaginal penetration during menstruation has to do with the changes that occur in the vaginal canal during that time. During most of the month, the vaginal lining is three layers thick. During menstruation, the two most superficial layers of cells in the vaginal lining slough off, and only the thin basal layer remains, without protection. This thin layer is very susceptible to micro-trauma and tearing from friction [such as is produced during intercourse].
Some of the rules of niddah in old times were intended simply for hygienic purposes. The point in not touching a woman who was menstruating, or separating her from her family really were really focused on her discharge, not on her as a person. In other words, a woman should not be ‘put away’ or shunned because she is having her period. She should in no way be made to feel unwelcome by her companions, her family, or her spiritual assembly. It is a time for her to have a little rest emotionally and sexually, but not to be in exile.
With modern hygiene, most of the stipulations regarding niddah are no longer of any concerns. But what does still apply is the prohibition against vaginal penetration during menstruation, or handling or consuming menstrual blood still poses an increased risk of disease.
Spiritual reasons
In order to understand the spiritual reasons for niddah, we need to understand some symbolic or spiritual things about the womb, and the cycle from menstruation to ovulation.
The womb is a vessel, and can be compared to the mind, the heart, or one’s life, in general. The womb is literally a contain-er. The menstrual cycle is typical of the cycles we go through during our lives. It is a physical type of the Plan of Happiness. The womb in its phases is also linked to the moon in her phases. [The Hebrew words for moon, yareach and levanah are feminine.]
The woman’s body may be likened to the Temple, and her womb the Holy Place. Just as the High Priest was not free to enter the Holy Place at any time of his choosing, but had to wait for appointed times, so a man is not free to enter his woman’s “holy place” at all times, but must restrain himself at certain times.
Eloah’s womb
The broadest Hebrew word for God is Elohim. Elohim is a gender-mixed word, meaning that it has both male and female parts. Eloah is a female word for god, used several times in the Bible, and is correctly translated as ‘goddess’. To the female prefix Eloah is added the male suffix –him. This not only makes the word plural, but also means that Elohim is a word that describes God as having both masculine and feminine attributes.
The word Eloah [Strong’s 433] appears 57 times in the scriptures of the ‘old testament’. Forty of those instances occur in the book of Job [which was the earliest written book in the Bible].
In the 38th chapter of Job, Yahweh [God the Father] challenged Job with several questions that are intended to teach. One of those questions is, “Out of whose womb came the ice?” [Job 38:29]
The Moon and the Menstrual Cycle
There is a very close relationship between the moon and menstruation. In our present culture, women commonly refer to menstruation as having their ‘monthly’. Some more poetically refer to it as their ‘moon time’. Our word ‘month’ comes from the same root-word as ‘moon’. The Hebrew word for month is the same as new moon. The word menstruation comes from the Greek word menus, which means ‘moon’ and ‘power’, and based upon men which means ‘month’
The Scriptures inform us that Elohim wishes the Elect to observe the moon phases. “God appointed the moon for seasons.” [Psalm 104:19] "Thus saith Yahweh, which giveth the sun for a light by day, andthe ordinances of the moon…” [Jeremiah 31:35] We are instructed to “Blow the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. [Psalm 81:3] In the end times, people will still observe the moons. “And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith Yahweh.” [Isaiah 66:23]
“And then [Yahweh created] the moon, ever punctual, to mark the times, an everlasting sign. It is the moon that signals the feasts, a luminary that wanes after being full. The month derives its name from hers; she waxes wonderfully in her phases – banner of the hosts on high, shining in the vault of heaven.” [Ecclesiasticus 43:6-8]
The new moon begins the month. Darkness comes before Light. This is also true in other areas. The Sabbath begins with darkness. Creation began with darkness. Our temporal lives begin in darkness. And the end-time Day of Yahweh will begin with darkness.
Types and Shadows
The uterus can be a symbol of our mind or heart, which is either prepared or unprepared to receive the ‘seed’ of God. The seed may be compared with the beginning of the knowledge of the gospel. When the heart is prepared and fertile, the seed finds a place there, and begin to grow. The menstrual womb is like an unprepared or unapproachable heart or mind, which is not receptive to the seed.
Niddah is symbolic of impurity. It also has practical application, because of the increased risk of micro-trauma to the vaginal canal, and to the spread of infection.
The entire cycle of procreation, including menstruation, is a type of the Plan of Happiness, and a reminder of the necessity of both male and female attributes, and of balance, of ebbing and flowing, etc.
The onset of menstruation may be likened to the new moon – a time of introspection, a time of preparation for the empty and purged vessel, of starting again, renewal, extra time for spiritual pursuits, etc. Ovulation is likened to the full moon.
Women of the Covenant and their partners observe niddah out of respect for the Laws of Yahweh, and understand that there are physical as well as spiritual reasons for doing so.
David Bruce Clark
Lion of God Ministries
PO Box 33 Oak Grove MO 64075
[1] This includes cunnilingus, because of the prohibition against eating blood. Leviticus 17:12 (and other passages) forbids consuming blood. This includes handling and drinking menstrual blood, which was a practice of the ancient Egyptians and Canaanites, and is sometimes still a practice in a few pagan magickal rites.
[2] ‘Flowers’ was a euphemism for menstruation that was based upon the idea that when a girl began to have her periods, it was likened to a plant blossoming, precedent to the bearing of fruit. ‘Flowers’ also meant the ‘finest part of’. It may also be derived from fleuers, the French word for ‘flowing’.
[3] Halachah means ‘the path’. It is the clarification or interpretation of the Law made by the priesthood, for the benefit of the people.
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