Misva #181: The Impurity of a Nidda

The Torah in Parashat Mesora (Vayikra 15:19) establishes that a woman who experiences menstrual bleeding is considered Teme’a (impure) for a period of seven days. During this period, anything she touches becomes impure, and, like all Teme’im (individuals with impurity), she is forbidden from entering the area of the Bet Ha’mikdash and from partaking of hallowed food. Intriguingly, the Sefer Ha’hinuch chose not to elaborate in his discussion of this Misva, and simply cites the source verse, and notes that this command applies in all places and in all times. A woman who fails to follow the Torah’s guidelines relevant to the status of impurity assigned to a Nidda (woman who experienced menstruation) is in violation of this affirmative command.