Zavah: Difference between revisions

In Jewish ritual law, a '''''zavah''''' (Hebrew זבה, lit. "one who[se body] flows") is a woman who has had vaginal blood discharges not during the usually anticipated [[menstrual cycle]], and thus entered a state of [[tumah and taharah|ritual impurity]]. AThe manequivalent whoimpurity hasthat hadcan similarbe contracted by males, by experiencing an abnormal discharge from histheir genitals, is known as the impurity of a '''''[[zav]]'''''.

In the realm of [[tumah and taharah]], the ''zavah'', hasjust thelike abilitya to''[[niddah]]'' create(menstruant woman) and ''[[Impurity after childbirth|yoledet]]'' (woman after giving birth), is in a state of major impurity, and creates a [[midras]], by sitting and by other activities ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|15:4|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|15:9|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|15:26|HE}}). andAnother toaspect makeof uncleanher formajor aimpurity, seven-dayis period -that a man who conducts sexual intercourse with her becomes unclean for a seven-day period. Additionally, the ''zavah'' and her partner are liable to ''[[kareth]]'' (extirpation) for willfully engaging in forbidden sexual intercourse, as is the case for a ''niddah'' and ''yoledet''.

According to [[textual criticism|textual scholars]], the regulations concerning childbirth,({{bibleverse||Leviticus|12|HE}}) which have a similar seven-day waiting period before washing, and the sin and whole offerings, were originally suffixed to those concerning menstruation, but were later moved.<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Leviticus''</ref> Although the ''zavah'' regulations clearly have a [[sanitary]] benefit in the light of modern medical knowledge, [[Biblical criticism|Biblical scholars]] see these regulations as ha;<ref>''[[Peake's commentary on the Bible]]'' {{Page needed|date=September 2011}}</ref> the seven-day period is thought to exist to ensure that the abnormality has genuinely ceased, the [[sin offering]] is considered to have originally been made as an apology for violating the taboo.<ref>''Jewish Encyclopedia'', ''Sin Offering''</ref>

A female must be at least ten days old to be eligible for zavah status.<ref>[[Sifra]] to Leviticus 15:19</ref> According to the [[Talmud]], the law of ''zavah gedolah'' is applicable if the discharge in question hadhappens happenedfor (ata least)minimum three times overof three consecutive days.<ref>[[Bava Kamma]]kama, 24a24 a.</ref>