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Glossary

bedikah (bedika)

An internal vaginal examination performed with a white cloth (commonly called a "bedikah cloth" or an "ed") for the purpose of determining that there is no uterine bleeding.
plural: bedikot

bracha (brachah, beracha, brocha)

A blessing; such blessings are recited as part of various rituals, including immersion in a mikvah.
plural: brachot (berachot, brachos)

chatan (chasan, chosson)

Groom; also used to describe an engaged or recently married man.

chatzitzah (chatzitza)

Any foreign object on the body that prevents valid immersion in a mikvah.
plural: chatzitzot (chatzitzos)

ed

A disposable white cloth used to perform a bedikah; also called a bedikah cloth.

halacha (halakha)

The system of Jewish law; or, a specific law within Judaism.
plural: halachot

halachic (halakhic)

Of or relating to halachah (Jewish law).

harchakot (harchakos)

Additional separations observed by a couple when the woman is niddah; these may include not passing objects between the parties, not eating from the same plate, or not sitting together on a single cushion.
singular: harchaka

kallah (kalla)

Bride; also used to describe an engaged or recently married woman.

ketem (kesem)

A stain that may or may not render a woman niddah.
plural: ketamim (kesamim)

meineket (meinekes)

literally: a nursing woman
A woman within twenty-four months after childbirth; this halachic classification exists for those twenty-four months whether or not the woman breastfeeds at all, and terminates after twenty-four months even if she continues breastfeeding thereafter.

meuberet (me'uberet, meuberes)

A pregnant woman.

mikvah (mikva, mikveh, miqveh)

definition
plural: mikva'ot (mikvaot, miqva'ot, mikvahs)

mitzvah (mitzva)

definition
plural: mitzvot (mitzvos, mitzvahs)

niddah (nidda)

Halachic status acquired through menstruation or other uterine bleeding, during which sexual intercourse is forbidden; according to rabbinic law, other forms of physical affection are prohibited as well.

shiva neki'im

The seven blood-free days counted as part of the process of exiting the halachic status of niddah, as prescribed by rabbinic law; also called levanim.

taharat hamishpacha (taharas hamishpacha)

literally: "family purity"
The system of laws and customs governing the cycle of separation and togetherness within a Jewish marriage.

tevilah (tevila)

The act of immersion in a mikvah.

yoledet (yoledes)

A woman during the period of time following childbirth.