Did you know that all blood is not created equal? Not all blood causes a woman to become nidah.
What is Dam Makeh (blood from a wound)? How do we discern the difference? When a woman finds a blood stain, that she suspects is not menstrual blood, she consults her Rabbi to determine her status: nidah or not nidah = tahor (ritual sanctity). Often, the Rabbi will be able to establish her status just by looking at the stain. Many times, however, when looking at a stain is not enough, and more information is necessary, the Rabbi will send her to a Bodeket, to be examined, so that the source of the bleeding can be determined.
What is a Bodeket? Perhaps you have heard this word before, perhaps not. If you have, you may have wondered exactly what it is a Bodeket does. What kind of training and education has she received? How does a Bodeket differ from a doctor? How can a Bodeket help me? Hopefully, this series of articles will answer these questions and many more.
What is a Bodeket?
Bodeket is a Hebrew word meaning "a woman who examines". A Bodeket is sometimes referred to as a "Bodeket Taharah" since she examines a woman for Taharat Hamishpacha matters, upon the advice of a Rabbi.
A Bodeket will visually examine the woman to ascertain whether or not the blood is coming from the uterus, or from another internal source. Uterine bleeding will usually cause a woman to become nidah, however, bleeding from other sources, whether minute or large amounts, will rarely cause a woman to become nidah.
Once the examination has been completed, the Bodeket reports her findings to the Rabbi, who can then render a halachic determination: nidah or tahor
This simple exam can prevent a woman from being nidah unnecessarily. It can actually save her month, thereby preventing husband and wife from being physically separate at a time when halacha does not require separation. This allows a woman to retain her status of kedusha (sanctity).
