The Seven White Days

Overview

After the hefsek tahara, a woman waits seven days before going to the mikveh. During this time, she checks herself and her underwear twice daily. This time period, the seven white days, is based on the above verse11As explained at length in Appendix - Seven White Days..

The seven white day period normally22But not necessarily, as explained further in the text. begins the day following the hefsek tahara. If the hefsek tahara was on Thursday afternoon then Friday is the first day of the seven white days. The following Thursday is the seventh day and Thursday night is the immersion in the mikveh.

To make sure these days are completely void of any uterine bleeding, the Talmudic Rabbis required a woman during these days to perform internal examinations twice daily33Tzemach Tzedek 196:5., wear white underwear44In Ramo 196:3 “dons whites (levinim),” in Mehaber and Tzemach Tzedek “robe (challukah).” Bodei Hashulchan 196:46 and 196:52, brings opinions specifying the above to refer to underwear. See also contemporary niddah guides where this custom is brought. and sleep on white sheets. Hence the name seven white days.

This seven white day period must form a non-interrupted “block” of seven days55This is learned from, “‘After’ she will count seven days.” (Leviticus 15:28) “After” implying one block of seven days following her impurity, introduction to Chapter 183, Shulchan Aruch Admur Hazoken., completely clean of any trace of menstrual bleeding.

There are no leniencies in the laws of separation (dealt with in Chapter Four) during the seven white days66Mehaber and Ramo 195:14..

First Three Days

Finding a stain on one of the first three days is stricter than the other days and cannot be readily dismissed as originating from an external source77Ramo 196:10. Tzemach Tzedek 196:21.. However a stain smaller than the minimum size is pure even during the first three days88Ramo 196:10. Tzemach Tzedek 196:21..

During these days, a woman cannot dismiss a stain as being caused by a cut or bruise99Shach 196:13.. Under certain circumstances, for example, a chronic skin condition or a bruise which excretes so much blood that it penetrates the bandage, it is possible to dismiss the stain as originating from this source1010Shach 196:13.. Considering the complicated halachic aspects to this subject, it should only be decided through an orthodox Rabbi expert in these laws.

White Underwear / White Bed Sheets

During the seven white day period, she must wear white1111Ramo 196:3, 381:5. underwear pre-checked for stains (kesomim). She starts doing so immediately after the first check prior to performing the moch dochuk1212Bodei Hashulchan 196:45..

Commencing from the night of the hefsek tahara and until the end of the seven days, the wife’s bed sheets must be white1313Ramo 381:5. and checked for any stains. The blankets and pillow covers need not be white. It is sufficient for them to be clean and checked for stains1414Mehaber 196:3, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 159:1, Tahara Kehalacha 16:42..