The Biblical Interpretation of Niddah and Zavah: An Analysis of the Aruch Hashulchan’s Defense of the Rambam

Abstract

The laws of tumah, impurity and tahara, purity are intricate and complex. They are rooted in the Torah. The Torah lists all of the people and things that can become impure and how this is so.1 There is a list of laws regarding various people who have different types of discharges. Bodily discharge can create a state of impurity for the person. Tumah also transfers from a person to other people or items through various means. Purification processes vary for the different types of bodily discharges and for the tamey person or those who touch him or her. Immersing in a mikvah, a ritual bath, or bringing karbanot, sacrifices, are often parts of this purification process. However, after the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed most of the rules of tumah and tahara are no longer observed as the means of bringing a sacrifice is no longer possible.