Niddah is the Hebrew word describing the seven days when a woman is ‘unclean’ during her period and has not completed a mikveh or ritual bath. ‘Unclean’ means being ‘in a state of ritual impurity.’ These seven days are also known as tumah which refers to the period of time when sexual relations between a husband and wife are not to occur. Being ‘ritually impure’ or ‘unclean’ does not mean a woman is in a sinful state or inferior. It is quite the opposite. Scripture emphasizes the holiness inherent in a woman’s cycle to create and nurture a new life within her womb. When as woman is ‘ritually impure,’ it only means she is incapable of conceiving a child.
Tag: cohen
Parashah 20: Tetzaveh (You are to order)
The Israelites pounded olives from the olive tree to produce oil. When pounded, the olive loses its physical appearance and only its essence is extracted. Yeshua was beaten, lost his physical appearance, and his life essence was poured out; however, he was only one olive and it takes thousands of olives to produce olive oil. The Menorah, made of hammered gold, already symbolizes Messiah being beaten and bruised. To continue with honest exegesis, the olives beaten into the oil that give the Menorah the ability to shine in the darkness must be ‘someone’ different.
Priest – Hebrew: Cohen
The priests of Israel descended from the Tribe of Levi, the high priests from the Levitical family of Aaron. The Levitical priesthood had responsibilities within the Tabernacle. They were also to be teachers of Torah. They received no land inheritance because their inheritance was to be a priest of God.