La Baraïta de-Niddah

By Evyatar Marienberg

Book Description

This scholarly work presents a rare and enigmatic text from Jewish religious literature that addresses one of humanity's most fundamental yet often silenced experiences. The Baraïta de-Niddah, a mysterious Hebrew manuscript possibly originating from Palestine in the latter half of the first millennium, offers unique insights into ancient Jewish perspectives on menstruation and ritual purity.

Author Evyatar Marienberg brings this fascinating document to contemporary readers through careful translation and analysis. The text explores the complex religious laws surrounding niddah, the Hebrew term encompassing menstrual impurity, the menstrual period itself, and the woman experiencing menstruation. Within Jewish religious law, these regulations profoundly shaped intimate relationships and daily spiritual practice.

What makes this particular text remarkable is its distinctive approach to these sensitive topics. Unlike other rabbinical writings on menstruation, the Baraïta de-Niddah stands apart for its unusual perspective and treatment of the subject matter. Previously published only once in 1890, this edition makes the text accessible to both Hebrew scholars and general readers seeking to understand how ancient spiritual traditions approached bodily experiences and gender.

For those interested in the intersection of spirituality, gender, and religious law, this work provides a window into how sacred texts have historically addressed the profound connections between physical experience and spiritual practice.