Niddah

R. Isaac citing R. Ammi  further stated: A woman conceives only immediately before her menstrual period, for it is said, Behold I was brought forth in iniquity;  but R. Johanan stated: A woman conceives only immediately after her ritual immersion, for it is said, And in cleansing  did my mother conceive me.  What is the proof that 'het'  bears the meaning of cleansing? — Since it is written 'we-hitte  the house'  and this is translated,  'And so shall he cleanse the house'. And if you prefer I might reply: The proof is derived from the following: Purge  me with hyssop and I shall be clean. R. Isaac citing R. Ammi further stated: As soon as a male comes into the world peace comes into the world, for it is said, Send ye a gift  for the ruler of the land  [and the Hebrew for] male  [is composed of the consonants of the 'words for] 'this is a gift'. R. Isaac citing  R. Ammi further stated: When a male comes into the world his provision comes with him, [the Hebrew for] male [zakar, being composed of the consonants of the words for] 'this is provision [zeh kar]', for it is written, And he prepared a great provision [kera] for them.  A female has nothing with her, [the Hebrew for] female [nekebah] implying 'she comes with nothing' [nekiyyah ba'ah]. Unless she demands her food nothing is given to her, for it is written, Demand [nakebah]  from  me thy wages and I will give it. R. Simeon b. Yohai was asked by his disciples: Why did the Torah ordain that a woman after childbirth should bring a sacrifice? He replied: When she kneels in bearing she swears impetuously that she will have no intercourse with her husband. The Torah, therefore, ordained that she should bring a sacrifice. (R. Joseph demurred: Does she not  act presumptuously  in which case the absolution of the oath  depends on her regretting it?  Furthermore, she should  have brought a sacrifice prescribed for an oath!)  And why did the Torah ordain that in the case of a male [the woman is clean] after seven days and in that of a female after fourteen days? [On the birth of a] male with whom all rejoice she regrets her oath after seven days, [but on the birth of a female] about whom everybody is upset she regrets her oath after fourteen days. And why did the Torah ordain circumcision on the eighth day?  In order that the guests  shall not enjoy themselves  while his father and mother are not in the mood for it. It was taught: R. Meir used to say, Why did the Torah ordain that the uncleanness of menstruation should continue for seven days? Because being in constant contact with his wife  [a husband might] develop a loathing towards her. The Torah, therefore, ordained: Let her  be unclean for seven days  in order that  she shall be beloved by her husband as at the time of her first entry into the bridal chamber. R. Dostai son of R. Jannai was asked by his disciples: Why  does a man go in search of a woman and no woman goes in search of a man? This is analogous to the case of a man who lost something. Who goes in search of what? He who lost the thing goes in search of what he lost.  And why does the man lie face downwards and the woman face upwards towards the man? He [faces the elements] from which he was created  and she [faces the man] from whom she was created.  And why is a man easily pacified and a woman is not easily pacified? He [derives his nature] from the place from which he was created  and she [derives hers] from the place from which she was created.  Why is a woman's voice sweet and a man's voice is not sweet? He [derives his] from the place from which he was created  and she [derives hers] from the place from which she was created.  Thus it is said, For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. MISHNAH. THE DAUGHTERS OF THE SAMARITANS  ARE REGARDED AS MENSTRUANTS FROM THEIR CRADLE;  AND THE SAMARITANS IMPART UNCLEANNESS TO A COUCH UNDERNEATH AS TO A COVER ABOVE,  SINCE THEY COHABIT WITH MENSTRUANTS BECAUSE [THEIR WIVES] CONTINUE [UNCLEAN FOR SEVEN DAYS] ON ACCOUNT OF A DISCHARGE OF ANY BLOOD.  ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR [UNCLEANNESS,]  HOWEVER, NO OBLIGATION  IS INCURRED FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE TEMPLE NOR IS TERUMAH  BURNT ON THEIR ACCOUNT, SINCE THEIR UNCLEANNESS  IS ONLY OF A DOUBTFUL NATURE. GEMARA. How is this  to be imagined? If they  observed a discharge, then  even our daughters also [should in such circumstances be regarded as unclean]; and if they  have not observed any discharge, their daughters also should not be regarded as unclean, should they? — Raba son of R. Aha son of R. Huna citing R. Shesheth replied: Here we are dealing with cases of which nothing definite is known, but since a minority exists that experience discharges, the possibility of such a discharge is taken into consideration. And who is the Tanna that  takes a minority into consideration?