timing

The opinion of Rebbi Ḥanina is understandable. It is difficult to understand Rebbi Yoḥanan: Does one not pronounce the benediction over the light at all other days that one should extinguish it? And here, he makes the benediction over the light so that he should not extinguish it. How does Rebbi Yoḥanan handle this? Since he has wine, his light will not go out. Then he might say the benediction over the light at the end. In order not to disturb its timing from other Sabbaths.

MISHNAH: Shammai says, every woman’s timing is exact; Hillel says, from checking to checking, even if that is a long time. But the Sages say following neither of them but for checking to checking to be reduced by 24 hours, and from 24 hours to be reduced by checking. Every woman with a regular period follows her exact timing; and if one has intercourse with cloths, this counts as checking and is reduced by 24 hours and by checking.

MISHNAH: Shammai says, every woman’s timing is exact; Hillel says, from checking to checking, even if that is a long time. But the Sages say following neither of them but for checking to checking to be reduced by 24 hours, and from 24 hours to be reduced by checking. Every woman with a regular period follows her exact timing; and if one has intercourse with cloths, this counts as checking and is reduced by 24 hours and by checking.

HALAKHAH: “Shammai says, every woman’s timing is exact,” etc. What means, “their timing is exact”? They do not retroactively impart impurity to food prepared in purity. “But the Sages say following neither of them,” not following Shammai who imposed no restriction, and not like Hillel who went overboard. “But for checking to checking it is reduced by 24 hours, and from 24 hours is reduced by checking.” How is checking to checking reduced by 24 hours? If she checked herself on Tuesday and saw blood on Thursday, [her food] is impure only from the same time on Wednesday. How is 24 hours reduced by checking? If she checked herself out in the morning and saw in the afternoon, it is impure only starting from the morning.

HALAKHAH: “Shammai says, every woman’s timing is exact,” etc. What means, “their timing is exact”? They do not retroactively impart impurity to food prepared in purity. “But the Sages say following neither of them,” not following Shammai who imposed no restriction, and not like Hillel who went overboard. “But for checking to checking it is reduced by 24 hours, and from 24 hours is reduced by checking.” How is checking to checking reduced by 24 hours? If she checked herself on Tuesday and saw blood on Thursday, [her food] is impure only from the same time on Wednesday. How is 24 hours reduced by checking? If she checked herself out in the morning and saw in the afternoon, it is impure only starting from the morning.

If she checked herself and found it a doubtful case. It is obvious that it is not counted as a check to diminish from 24 hours. Itself, would it be impure because of doubt? Let us hear from the following: “A sexless or a hermaphrodite who had a discharge follow their exact timing.” What do you infer from this? Rebbi Yose said, a sexless or a hermaphrodite represent a doubt, 24 hours represent a doubt, and a doubt is not superimposed on a doubt. So here, whether she had a discharge represents a doubt, 24 hours represent a doubt, and a doubt is not superimposed on a doubt.

Huna bar Ḥiyya said, the 24 hours which were quoted refer to sacrifices but not to pure food. Rav Ḥisda objected, was it not stated: “It happened with a girl in Aitlo that she missed for three periods and then had a period. When the case came before the Sages, they said that her timing is exact.” Are there sacrifices in Aitlo? But it must be food prepared in the purity of sacrifices! Is that not really profane food? Explain it if it was prepared in the purity of purifying water, since purifying water has more restrictive rules than sacrifices.

MISHNAH: How is her timing exact? If she was sitting on a bed occupied with pure food, if she left [the bed] and saw blood, she is impure but all the food is pure. Even though they said, she is retroactively impure for 24 hours, she counts only from the moment she saw. Rebbi Eliezer says, the timings of four kinds of women are exact: a virgin, and a pregnant woman, and a nursing one, and a post-menopausal. Rebbi Joshua said, I heard only about the virgin, but practice follows Rebbi Eliezer.

HALAKHAH: “Rebbi Joshua said, I heard only about the virgin, but practice follows Rebbi Eliezer.” One does not say, somebody who did not see the new moon should come and testify, but one says, if somebody saw the new moon, he should come and testify. You did not hear, I heard. All during Rebbi Eliezer’s lifetime, practice followed Rebbi Joshua. After Rebbi Eliezer’s death, Rebbi Joshua introduced practice following Rebbi Eliezer. Where do we hold? If Rebbi Eliezer heard from one [authority] but Rebbi Joshua from two, practice should follow Rebbi Joshua whether [Rebbi Eliezer] was alive or dead. But if Rebbi Joshua heard from one [authority] but Rebbi Eliezer from two, practice should follow Rebbi Eliezer whether he was alive or dead. As it was stated: One says, I heard from two [authorities] and two say, we heard from one, the power of the one who heard from two is greater than that of two who heard from one. But we must hold either that either one heard from one or that either one heard from two. During his lifetime he was not convinced of his opinion, after he died he became convinced of his opinion. What did he see to say that he became convinced of his opinion? As it was stated: The stains of all four categories of women, about whom the Sages said that their timings are exact, cause retroactive impurity except for a girl who is too young to menstruate, for that one has no stains, the words of Rebbi Meïr. But the Sages say, for all four categories of women about whom the Sages said that their timings are exact, their stains cause retroactive impurity except for a girl about to start to menstruate, for her stains start with her menstruation. Since if she sees blood her timing is exact, so also for her stain her timing. Rebbi Yannai said, because her sap is frequent. If the timing of one whose sap is frequent is exact, the others whose sap is not so frequent so much more! By this reason he became convinced of his opinion.

HALAKHAH: “Rebbi Joshua said, I heard only about the virgin, but practice follows Rebbi Eliezer.” One does not say, somebody who did not see the new moon should come and testify, but one says, if somebody saw the new moon, he should come and testify. You did not hear, I heard. All during Rebbi Eliezer’s lifetime, practice followed Rebbi Joshua. After Rebbi Eliezer’s death, Rebbi Joshua introduced practice following Rebbi Eliezer. Where do we hold? If Rebbi Eliezer heard from one [authority] but Rebbi Joshua from two, practice should follow Rebbi Joshua whether [Rebbi Eliezer] was alive or dead. But if Rebbi Joshua heard from one [authority] but Rebbi Eliezer from two, practice should follow Rebbi Eliezer whether he was alive or dead. As it was stated: One says, I heard from two [authorities] and two say, we heard from one, the power of the one who heard from two is greater than that of two who heard from one. But we must hold either that either one heard from one or that either one heard from two. During his lifetime he was not convinced of his opinion, after he died he became convinced of his opinion. What did he see to say that he became convinced of his opinion? As it was stated: The stains of all four categories of women, about whom the Sages said that their timings are exact, cause retroactive impurity except for a girl who is too young to menstruate, for that one has no stains, the words of Rebbi Meïr. But the Sages say, for all four categories of women about whom the Sages said that their timings are exact, their stains cause retroactive impurity except for a girl about to start to menstruate, for her stains start with her menstruation. Since if she sees blood her timing is exact, so also for her stain her timing. Rebbi Yannai said, because her sap is frequent. If the timing of one whose sap is frequent is exact, the others whose sap is not so frequent so much more! By this reason he became convinced of his opinion.

HALAKHAH: “Rebbi Joshua said, I heard only about the virgin, but practice follows Rebbi Eliezer.” One does not say, somebody who did not see the new moon should come and testify, but one says, if somebody saw the new moon, he should come and testify. You did not hear, I heard. All during Rebbi Eliezer’s lifetime, practice followed Rebbi Joshua. After Rebbi Eliezer’s death, Rebbi Joshua introduced practice following Rebbi Eliezer. Where do we hold? If Rebbi Eliezer heard from one [authority] but Rebbi Joshua from two, practice should follow Rebbi Joshua whether [Rebbi Eliezer] was alive or dead. But if Rebbi Joshua heard from one [authority] but Rebbi Eliezer from two, practice should follow Rebbi Eliezer whether he was alive or dead. As it was stated: One says, I heard from two [authorities] and two say, we heard from one, the power of the one who heard from two is greater than that of two who heard from one. But we must hold either that either one heard from one or that either one heard from two. During his lifetime he was not convinced of his opinion, after he died he became convinced of his opinion. What did he see to say that he became convinced of his opinion? As it was stated: The stains of all four categories of women, about whom the Sages said that their timings are exact, cause retroactive impurity except for a girl who is too young to menstruate, for that one has no stains, the words of Rebbi Meïr. But the Sages say, for all four categories of women about whom the Sages said that their timings are exact, their stains cause retroactive impurity except for a girl about to start to menstruate, for her stains start with her menstruation. Since if she sees blood her timing is exact, so also for her stain her timing. Rebbi Yannai said, because her sap is frequent. If the timing of one whose sap is frequent is exact, the others whose sap is not so frequent so much more! By this reason he became convinced of his opinion.

MISHNAH: What is a virgin? Any female who never saw blood, even if she was married. Pregnant, once the fetus is recognizable. Nursing, until she weans her child. If she gave her child to a wet-nurse or weaned him, Rebbi Meïr says she causes retroactive impurity for 24 hours but the Sages say, her timing is exact.

“Even if she was married,” even if pregnant, even if nursing, and even if she was bleeding all seven [days] for a boy or all fourteen for a girl. Does she have a charm in her hand? After [the birth of] a boy seven [days], after a girl fourteen, but only if she stopped during her period of purity. As it was stated: If she stopped during her period of purity and had no discharge, but later she had a discharge; this case came before the Sages who said that her timing was exact. In Rav’s opinion, who says that all is one source but the Torah purified it, it is understandable. In Rebbi Yannai’s opinion, who says that all is one source but it changes, it is in order. In Levi’s opinion, who says that there are two sources, should not her timing be exact even if she does not stop during her period of purity? Rebbi Mana said, the reason of Levi is that since she became used to pure blood, she might become used to impure blood. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, Levi can explain what we have stated: “Rebbi Yose said, the timing of a pregnant or a nursing woman who had stopped for three periods is exact.” On that it was stated: The days of her pregnancy and her nursing add up to three periods. Can he think that there is only one source?

“Even if she was married,” even if pregnant, even if nursing, and even if she was bleeding all seven [days] for a boy or all fourteen for a girl. Does she have a charm in her hand? After [the birth of] a boy seven [days], after a girl fourteen, but only if she stopped during her period of purity. As it was stated: If she stopped during her period of purity and had no discharge, but later she had a discharge; this case came before the Sages who said that her timing was exact. In Rav’s opinion, who says that all is one source but the Torah purified it, it is understandable. In Rebbi Yannai’s opinion, who says that all is one source but it changes, it is in order. In Levi’s opinion, who says that there are two sources, should not her timing be exact even if she does not stop during her period of purity? Rebbi Mana said, the reason of Levi is that since she became used to pure blood, she might become used to impure blood. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, Levi can explain what we have stated: “Rebbi Yose said, the timing of a pregnant or a nursing woman who had stopped for three periods is exact.” On that it was stated: The days of her pregnancy and her nursing add up to three periods. Can he think that there is only one source?

“Even if she was married,” even if pregnant, even if nursing, and even if she was bleeding all seven [days] for a boy or all fourteen for a girl. Does she have a charm in her hand? After [the birth of] a boy seven [days], after a girl fourteen, but only if she stopped during her period of purity. As it was stated: If she stopped during her period of purity and had no discharge, but later she had a discharge; this case came before the Sages who said that her timing was exact. In Rav’s opinion, who says that all is one source but the Torah purified it, it is understandable. In Rebbi Yannai’s opinion, who says that all is one source but it changes, it is in order. In Levi’s opinion, who says that there are two sources, should not her timing be exact even if she does not stop during her period of purity? Rebbi Mana said, the reason of Levi is that since she became used to pure blood, she might become used to impure blood. Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said, Levi can explain what we have stated: “Rebbi Yose said, the timing of a pregnant or a nursing woman who had stopped for three periods is exact.” On that it was stated: The days of her pregnancy and her nursing add up to three periods. Can he think that there is only one source?

MISHNAH: What is an old woman? Any who missed three periods when she became old. Rebbi Eliezer says, the timing of any woman who misses three periods is exact. Rebbi Yose said, the timing of a pregnant or a nursing woman who had stopped for three periods is exact.

MISHNAH: What is an old woman? Any who missed three periods when she became old. Rebbi Eliezer says, the timing of any woman who misses three periods is exact. Rebbi Yose said, the timing of a pregnant or a nursing woman who had stopped for three periods is exact.

HALAKHAH: “What is an old woman,” etc. Rebbi Meïr says, the blood disappears because of the milk. Rebbi Yose says, the blood disappears because of the pain. You find a leniency and a stringency following Rebbi Meïr, and a leniency and a stringency following Rebbi Yose. A leniency following Rebbi Meïr, for if the baby was continuing to suckle for four ot five years, her timing continues exact. And a stringency, if she handed her child to a wet-nurse or it died, she [makes impure] for 24 hours. A leniency for Rebbi Yose, for if she handed her child to a wet-nurse or it died, her timing is exact. And a stringency, for if the baby was continuing to suckle for four ot five years, it is forbidden after 24 months. But did not Rebbi Meïr say, she makes impure for 24 hours? When? Immediately or if the baby stops and cannot start again? Let us hear from the following: “A baby can nurse until 24 complete months, after that it is as if an abomination suckled, the words of Rebbi Eliezer. Rebbi Joshua said, a baby can nurse even four or five years; this is permitted. If he stopped, one cannot return him.” How long? Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa, Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: up to 24 hours. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish, up to three times 24 hours. When was this said? If he stopped when healthy. But if he stopped because of sickness, one can return him immediately. And for a baby which was not in danger. But a baby who was in danger one can return him immediately even after a longer time.

HALAKHAH: “What is an old woman,” etc. Rebbi Meïr says, the blood disappears because of the milk. Rebbi Yose says, the blood disappears because of the pain. You find a leniency and a stringency following Rebbi Meïr, and a leniency and a stringency following Rebbi Yose. A leniency following Rebbi Meïr, for if the baby was continuing to suckle for four ot five years, her timing continues exact. And a stringency, if she handed her child to a wet-nurse or it died, she [makes impure] for 24 hours. A leniency for Rebbi Yose, for if she handed her child to a wet-nurse or it died, her timing is exact. And a stringency, for if the baby was continuing to suckle for four ot five years, it is forbidden after 24 months. But did not Rebbi Meïr say, she makes impure for 24 hours? When? Immediately or if the baby stops and cannot start again? Let us hear from the following: “A baby can nurse until 24 complete months, after that it is as if an abomination suckled, the words of Rebbi Eliezer. Rebbi Joshua said, a baby can nurse even four or five years; this is permitted. If he stopped, one cannot return him.” How long? Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa, Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: up to 24 hours. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish, up to three times 24 hours. When was this said? If he stopped when healthy. But if he stopped because of sickness, one can return him immediately. And for a baby which was not in danger. But a baby who was in danger one can return him immediately even after a longer time.

“Rebbi Eliezer says, the timing of any woman who misses three periods is exact.” But we stated on this: They said to him, the Sages said this only for the old woman. But did we not state: “Rebbi Eliezer said, it happened with a girl in Aitlo that she missed for three periods and then had a period. When the case came before the Sages, they said that her timing was exact.” They said to him, you were underage, and an underage boy cannot testify. Once did Rebbi decide to follow Rebbi Eliezer and he regretted it. Rebbi Mana said before Rebbi Yose: Come and see, when he instructed following the leniencies of Rebbi Meïr and Rebbi Yose, he did not regret it, but in this case he regretted? He said to him, there we deal with isolated opinions. You can say, we add his opinion to that of Rebbi Meïr to form a plurality against Rebbi Yose, and we add his opinion to that of Rebbi Yose to form a plurality against Rebbi Meïr; can you say here that we add his opinion to that of Rebbi Eliezer to form a plurality against the Sages? And in addition, it was stated on this: “It was an emergency decision.”

“Rebbi Eliezer says, the timing of any woman who misses three periods is exact.” But we stated on this: They said to him, the Sages said this only for the old woman. But did we not state: “Rebbi Eliezer said, it happened with a girl in Aitlo that she missed for three periods and then had a period. When the case came before the Sages, they said that her timing was exact.” They said to him, you were underage, and an underage boy cannot testify. Once did Rebbi decide to follow Rebbi Eliezer and he regretted it. Rebbi Mana said before Rebbi Yose: Come and see, when he instructed following the leniencies of Rebbi Meïr and Rebbi Yose, he did not regret it, but in this case he regretted? He said to him, there we deal with isolated opinions. You can say, we add his opinion to that of Rebbi Meïr to form a plurality against Rebbi Yose, and we add his opinion to that of Rebbi Yose to form a plurality against Rebbi Meïr; can you say here that we add his opinion to that of Rebbi Eliezer to form a plurality against the Sages? And in addition, it was stated on this: “It was an emergency decision.”

“Rebbi Yose said, the timing of a pregnant or a nursing woman who had stopped for three periods is exact.” On that it was stated: The days of her pregnancy and her nursing add up to three periods. Can he think that there is only one source?

MISHNAH: Under which circumstances did they say that her timing is exact? If she sees [blood] for the first time. But the second time she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours. But if the first time she saw because of outside force, also the second time her timing is exact.

MISHNAH: Under which circumstances did they say that her timing is exact? If she sees [blood] for the first time. But the second time she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours. But if the first time she saw because of outside force, also the second time her timing is exact.

HALAKHAH: “Under which circumstances did they say that her timing is exact,” etc. Samuel said, they taught only about a virgin and an old woman. But to a pregnant or nursing woman they give all during preganncy and nursing time. Both Rav and Rebbi Joḥanan say, the rules are identical for virgin, post-menopausal, pregnant, or nursing woman. Rebbi Ze‘ira said, Rav and Rebbi Joḥanan parallel Rebbi Ḥanina’s and they all disagree with Samuel’s opinion, since Rebbi Eleazar said in the name of Rebbi Ḥanina: Once Rebbi instructed following the leniencies both of Rebbi Meïr and of Rebbi Yose. How was this? If the fetus was noticed and after that she bled, Rebbi Meïr says, her timing is exact; Rebbi Yose says, she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours. If she then bled frequently, interrupted for three periods, and then bled, Rebbi Meïr says, she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours; Rebbi Yose says, her timing is exact. If you say, one gives her all the time during pregnancy, why would we need Rebbi Yose’s leniency? Is not that of Rebbi Meïr less weighty than that of Rebbi Yose? Rebbi Mana said before Rebbi Yose: Might we say, following Rebbi Meïr and Rebbi Yose of milk? He said to him, it was said so explicitly.

HALAKHAH: “Under which circumstances did they say that her timing is exact,” etc. Samuel said, they taught only about a virgin and an old woman. But to a pregnant or nursing woman they give all during preganncy and nursing time. Both Rav and Rebbi Joḥanan say, the rules are identical for virgin, post-menopausal, pregnant, or nursing woman. Rebbi Ze‘ira said, Rav and Rebbi Joḥanan parallel Rebbi Ḥanina’s and they all disagree with Samuel’s opinion, since Rebbi Eleazar said in the name of Rebbi Ḥanina: Once Rebbi instructed following the leniencies both of Rebbi Meïr and of Rebbi Yose. How was this? If the fetus was noticed and after that she bled, Rebbi Meïr says, her timing is exact; Rebbi Yose says, she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours. If she then bled frequently, interrupted for three periods, and then bled, Rebbi Meïr says, she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours; Rebbi Yose says, her timing is exact. If you say, one gives her all the time during pregnancy, why would we need Rebbi Yose’s leniency? Is not that of Rebbi Meïr less weighty than that of Rebbi Yose? Rebbi Mana said before Rebbi Yose: Might we say, following Rebbi Meïr and Rebbi Yose of milk? He said to him, it was said so explicitly.

HALAKHAH: “Under which circumstances did they say that her timing is exact,” etc. Samuel said, they taught only about a virgin and an old woman. But to a pregnant or nursing woman they give all during preganncy and nursing time. Both Rav and Rebbi Joḥanan say, the rules are identical for virgin, post-menopausal, pregnant, or nursing woman. Rebbi Ze‘ira said, Rav and Rebbi Joḥanan parallel Rebbi Ḥanina’s and they all disagree with Samuel’s opinion, since Rebbi Eleazar said in the name of Rebbi Ḥanina: Once Rebbi instructed following the leniencies both of Rebbi Meïr and of Rebbi Yose. How was this? If the fetus was noticed and after that she bled, Rebbi Meïr says, her timing is exact; Rebbi Yose says, she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours. If she then bled frequently, interrupted for three periods, and then bled, Rebbi Meïr says, she retroactively makes impure for 24 hours; Rebbi Yose says, her timing is exact. If you say, one gives her all the time during pregnancy, why would we need Rebbi Yose’s leniency? Is not that of Rebbi Meïr less weighty than that of Rebbi Yose? Rebbi Mana said before Rebbi Yose: Might we say, following Rebbi Meïr and Rebbi Yose of milk? He said to him, it was said so explicitly.

So far for a girl who reached the age of puberty. “If a girl did not reach the age of puberty but started menstruating? For the first bleeding, her timing is exact. For the second bleeding, her timing is exact. For the third bleeding, her timing is exact; after that it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours.” Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: At the third time itself it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours. “The timing of an old woman who had stopped for three periods is exact. If she then interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If she again interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If the interruption was not exact the same period; if it was less or more. But if it was exactly the same time, she established a [new] period.”

So far for a girl who reached the age of puberty. “If a girl did not reach the age of puberty but started menstruating? For the first bleeding, her timing is exact. For the second bleeding, her timing is exact. For the third bleeding, her timing is exact; after that it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours.” Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: At the third time itself it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours. “The timing of an old woman who had stopped for three periods is exact. If she then interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If she again interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If the interruption was not exact the same period; if it was less or more. But if it was exactly the same time, she established a [new] period.”

So far for a girl who reached the age of puberty. “If a girl did not reach the age of puberty but started menstruating? For the first bleeding, her timing is exact. For the second bleeding, her timing is exact. For the third bleeding, her timing is exact; after that it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours.” Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: At the third time itself it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours. “The timing of an old woman who had stopped for three periods is exact. If she then interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If she again interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If the interruption was not exact the same period; if it was less or more. But if it was exactly the same time, she established a [new] period.”

So far for a girl who reached the age of puberty. “If a girl did not reach the age of puberty but started menstruating? For the first bleeding, her timing is exact. For the second bleeding, her timing is exact. For the third bleeding, her timing is exact; after that it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours.” Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: At the third time itself it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours. “The timing of an old woman who had stopped for three periods is exact. If she then interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If she again interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If the interruption was not exact the same period; if it was less or more. But if it was exactly the same time, she established a [new] period.”

So far for a girl who reached the age of puberty. “If a girl did not reach the age of puberty but started menstruating? For the first bleeding, her timing is exact. For the second bleeding, her timing is exact. For the third bleeding, her timing is exact; after that it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours.” Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: At the third time itself it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours. “The timing of an old woman who had stopped for three periods is exact. If she then interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If she again interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If the interruption was not exact the same period; if it was less or more. But if it was exactly the same time, she established a [new] period.”

So far for a girl who reached the age of puberty. “If a girl did not reach the age of puberty but started menstruating? For the first bleeding, her timing is exact. For the second bleeding, her timing is exact. For the third bleeding, her timing is exact; after that it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours.” Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: At the third time itself it will retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours. “The timing of an old woman who had stopped for three periods is exact. If she then interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If she again interrupted for three periods and then bled, her timing is exact. If the interruption was not exact the same period; if it was less or more. But if it was exactly the same time, she established a [new] period.”

Rebbi Yudan asked: If she bled a first and a second time and then interrupted for three periods before she bled again. Is that like one long regular period and she would retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours or like an interruption so that her timing would be exact? Rebbi Yose said to him, if at a time you considered her as ready to bleed you said that her timing was exact, in this case when you do not consider her as ready to bleed, not so much more? He answered him: If that is so, even if she saw only once she should not retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours until she bled three times after that interruption! He agreed that it is like one long regular period.

Rebbi Yudan asked: If she bled a first and a second time and then interrupted for three periods before she bled again. Is that like one long regular period and she would retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours or like an interruption so that her timing would be exact? Rebbi Yose said to him, if at a time you considered her as ready to bleed you said that her timing was exact, in this case when you do not consider her as ready to bleed, not so much more? He answered him: If that is so, even if she saw only once she should not retroactively impart impurity for 24 hours until she bled three times after that interruption! He agreed that it is like one long regular period.

MISHNAH: Even though they said that their timing was exact, she has to check herself, except for the menstruating and one in her period of purity; even one who has intercourse with cloths except one in her period of purity and a virgin whose blood is pure. Twice she has to check herself, morning and evening, and when she goes to have intercourse. In addition, wives of Cohanim when they go to eat heave. Rebbi Jehudah says, also when they stop eating heave.

HALAKHAH: “Even though they said that their timing was exact,” etc. So is the Mishnah: Except for the menstruating woman whose period was not interrupted by purity. “Even one who has intercourse with cloths,” so is the Mishnah: She is required to have intercourse with cloths. “And a virgin whose blood is pure,” so is the Mishnah: A girl who has not reached puberty but was married.