The first question that arises is why is there any type of Tumah (contamination) at all in one of the most miraculous and beautiful events in Life-Childbirth? The second question is why the Tumah period for a male child is a total of 40 days and the Tumah period for a female child is twice as long at 80 days? The third question is why a Chatat (sin-offering) must be brought at all by the mother?
What did she do wrong? The Shem Mishmuel (Rabbi Shmuel Bornstein, the Rebbe of Sachaczev, Poland) quotes his grandfather the Kotzker Rebbe (R’ Menachem Mendel of Kotzk 1787-1859) who says the birthing process is “an Act of G–d”. Anyone who has experienced childbirth knows fully well that this may be the Greatest Miracle that they will ever witness on earth in their Lifetimes. The Shem Mishmuel asked his grandfather if this is so how does Tumah enter into this incredible miracle?
The Kotzker Rebbe answered that Tumah only enters the picture after the whole Miraculous and Holy birthing process is over. The Kli Yakar brings down a Zohar that evil spirits always attach themselves to a Holy Place. Evil is Parasitic. It always looks for the Holy to degrade it. Evil gains energy when Holy Man slips. Evil is empowered by Man’s sins. G–d departs after the Birth occurs. Evil then tries to fill the void. The Tumah does not strike the newborn. It strikes only the Holy Mother. R’ Tzaddok HaCohen (1823-1900)also tries to answer why the Mother alone is Tamei. No one is Perfect in this world. The Yetzer HaRa (evil impulse) strikes everyone. This is what the Nachash(Snake) did to Man. He brought the Yetzer HaRa and Evil into Man. He started with the woman. He infused the Yetzer HaRa into Chava first.
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Author: Joseph Frager
Keywords: Childbirth, Giving birth, Female uncleanness, Uncleaness, Evil Inclination, Evil nature, Evil one, Evil urge, Evil desire, Fallen angel, Good angel, Good nature, Hara Yetser, Ha-ra Yetser, Hara Yetzer, Ha-ra Yetzer, Hara Yezer, Ha-ra Yezer, Personification of evil, Yatsar, Yetsarim, Yetser ha ra, Yetser ha tov, Yetser ra, Yetser tov, Yetzer, Yetzer ha ra, Yetzer ha tov, Yetzer Hara, Yetzer ra, Yetzer tov, Yezer ha ra, Yezer Hara
Bible reference(s): Lev 12:2-8, Luke 2:22-23
Source: Dr. “The Miracle of Childbirth,” Arutz Sheva 7.
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