About this overview. The following purity cycle, as it most commonly occurs, is presented as a succinct reference.
Note that almost every detail, however, can have deviations with potential repercussion, many of which are covered in this book.
The Purity Cycle
Niddah state1Chapter 2 - Niddah; Chapter 3 - Stains.. The wife enters a state (impurity) when menstruation2Other common causes include: premenstrual staining; childbirth; gynecological procedures penetration into the uterus. begins.
Separation3Chapter 4 - Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder.. Until she immerses, all physical contact with her husband ceases.
Ascertaining bleeding ceased4Chapter 5 - Making Sure Menstruation Has Finished.. When at least five days have passed5The day she became niddah (whether during the daytime or the preceding nighttime) is counted as day one., prior to sunset the wife washes her entire body, particularly the private area, with warm water. Then, with a soft white cloth wrapped around the fingers, she internally examines herself. If this is clean from discoloration, again before sunset, she inserts a soft white cloth into her private area. This is removed after nightfall.
Seven White Days6Chapter 6 - Seven White Days.. If that is clean from discoloration, she begins the Seven White Days. During these days she wears white underpants, and sleeps on white bed sheets. Every day, she examines herself twice daily with a soft white cloth.
Preparation7Chapter 7 - Preparing For Immersion.. On the last of the Seven White Days she scrupulously washes her entire body, including shampooing and combing the hair, brushing her teeth and making sure the body is free from intervening substances.
Immersion8Chapter 10 - Immersion.. After nightfall she immerses in the 9Chapter 9 - What is A Mikveh?.
Permissible times10Chapter 11 - Intimate Relations; Chapter 12 - Proper Times for Marital Relations.. The times when marital relations are permissible.
Separation dates11Chapter 14 - Separation Dates (Times of Anticipated Menstruation).. On an ongoing basis, throughout married life, the dates when menstruation begins and finishes12Chabad custom. Others project from the beginning of menstruation to the beginning of the following one, Dates—Other Methods of Calculation. are recorded. From these are projected separation dates in anticipation of the upcoming menstruation.