רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן חִסְמָא אוֹמֵר, קִנִּין וּפִתְחֵי נִדָּה, הֵן הֵן גּוּפֵי הֲלָכוֹת. תְּקוּפוֹת וְגִימַטְרִיאוֹת, פַּרְפְּרָאוֹת לַחָכְמָה
Rabbi Eliezer Hisma said: the laws of mixed bird offerings and the key to the calculations of menstruation days these, these are the body of the halakhah. The calculation of the equinoxes and gematria are the desserts of wisdom.
Noahides disregards the restrictions governing mixed bird offerings. Noahides may only make one complete burnt offering. These were offered to G-d by the Jewish priests during the Temple period.
The calculation of the equinoxes and gematria are the desserts of wisdom – Noahides, in my opinion, should not desire to undertake calculations themselves. If Rabbis want to discuss particular points about this to Noahides, it is certainly permissible and can be very interesting.
This mishnah raises an interesting issue for Noahides: should Noahides also observe Niddah?
The period of niddah is a time, usually lasting twelve days to fourteen days, when Jewish law forbids conjugal relations. Niddah begins with the onset of menstruation and is completed with the woman’s immersion in a mikvah, a ritual pool of water.[1]
The Niddah laws stem from G-d’s demand to the Jewish people to be ritually pure. If a person was ritually unclean, he or she could not enter the Temple or consume Temple sacrifices. Because Noahides do not enter the Temple and do not eat Temple sacrifices [Noahides ‘only’ give a hole burnt offering], these ritual purity/uncleanness regulations do not apply to them.
There is no forbidden period for Noahide women to be intimate with their husbands. However, the Jewish people have taught us that having marital intercourse during menstruation (bleeding) is a terrible form of behavior. It is best to stay away from this during this time for the benefit of one’s self-esteem, health, and marital harmony.
By Angelique Sijbolts
Sources:
[1] Chabad Article: What Is Niddah?
See also: Ask Noah Q&A Forum › Living the Seven Commandments › Ask The Academy Rabbis › Intimate Relations
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