S8
We are not to have sexual intercourse with a woman during her menstruation.
Category: Godliness, Holiness & Righteousness
Type: Negative
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Not specified
Literal Application: Not specified
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
Key OT Scriptures
-
Leviticus 18:19
-
Leviticus 20:18
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
This Mitzvah applies to the conduct of both men and women. Under the Law of Moses, a woman (and all she touched) during her period of menstruation was ceremonially unclean. Although being ceremonially clean or unclean has little meaning today in the absence of the Tabernacle or Temple, I believe that this Mitzvah not to have sexual relations during a woman's period should be obeyed and the reason is twofold. First, a woman cannot become pregnant during her menses, and a prime purpose for sexual intercourse is to bear children. Second (which I believe is the better reason), all through the Bible, blood is very special to God, and Leviticus 20:18 says that if a woman and a man have sexual relations during her period: he has exposed the source of her blood, and she has exposed the source of her blood; both of them are to be cut off from their people. We see that in the importance of blood sacrifice, and in the prohibition of our eating blood. Leviticus 17:11-14 states: For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life. This is why I told the people of Isra'el, "None of you is to eat blood, nor is any foreigner living with you to eat blood." When someone from the community of Isra'el or one of the foreigners living with you hunts and catches game, whether animal or bird that may be eaten, he is to pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For the life of every creature - its blood is its life. Therefore I said to the people of Isra'el, "You are not to eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it will be cut off." I do not believe that the similar penalty of being "cut off" for eating blood and for having sexual intercourse with a woman during her period of blood is coincidental. Classical Commentators: Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch each wrote a mitzvah that prohibits having sexual relations with a woman during her menstruation. NCLA : JMm JFm KMm KFm GMm GFm Return to main index Return to main index
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MN132
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2