Midras
Encyclopedia
The term midras uncleanness or pressure uncleanness is used for uncleanness transmitted by either an object or person in Judaism.
In terms of ritual purity in Judaism a midras (lit. "trampled on" object) is a Hebrew term used to denote an object that can be a carrier of ritual impurity. Common objects that could potentially become unclean, and become a such midras object, include a chair
, sofa
, mattress
, and rug
. Once a person becomes unclean, he or she is categorized as a "father of uncleanliness
".
" (such as a man with a seminal emission a woman in the middle of menstruation
) putting most of their body weight in one (or more) of five ways on the midras;
The person or object who becomes unclean via the midras is categorized as a Rishon L'Tumah.
), and the subsequent elapse of sunset.
In terms of ritual purity in Judaism a midras (lit. "trampled on" object) is a Hebrew term used to denote an object that can be a carrier of ritual impurity. Common objects that could potentially become unclean, and become a such midras object, include a chair
Chair
A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...
, sofa
Sofa
Sofa may refer to:In general:* A piece of furniture also called a couch* Sofa slave-soldiers in the Mali Empire and its successor states.* Russian Hypocoristic for the name SofiyaIn music:* Any of four bands of overlapping eras:...
, mattress
Mattress
A mattress is a manufactured product to sleep or lie on, consisting of resilient materials and covered with an outer fabric or ticking. In the developed world it is typically part of a bed set and is placed upon a foundation....
, and rug
Rug
RUG or rug can mean:* carpet, a textile floor covering that is made from various materials.** specifically, one made by rug making* slang for toupee* rug , to keep domesticated animals warm and/or dry...
. Once a person becomes unclean, he or she is categorized as a "father of uncleanliness
Av HaTumah
In the realm of tumah and taharah terminology, the term Av HaTumah is a rabbinic term used to define a person or object that is in a state of tumah to the second degree....
".
Hebrew Bible
The general concept of a midras, an object becoming a carrier for uncleanliness, is brought in the book of Leviticus, though the following verse does not employ the Hebrew term midras;Becoming unclean
According to Maimonides on Zavim 4:4, the midras object becomes unclean by a person who is a "father of uncleanlinessAv HaTumah
In the realm of tumah and taharah terminology, the term Av HaTumah is a rabbinic term used to define a person or object that is in a state of tumah to the second degree....
" (such as a man with a seminal emission a woman in the middle of menstruation
Niddah
Niddah is a Hebrew term describing a woman during menstruation, or a woman who has menstruated and not yet completed the associated requirement of immersion in a mikveh ....
) putting most of their body weight in one (or more) of five ways on the midras;
- sitting on the midras like a chair
- lying on the midras like a rug
- leaning on the midras
- standing on the midras like a mat
- hanging from the midras
Transmitting uncleanliness
Once the midras becomes unclean, it transmits uncleanliness to clean persons or objects by one of seven ways;- by touching the midras
- by carrying the midras
- by sitting on the midras
- by lying on the midras
- by leaning on the midras
- by standing on the midras
- by hanging from the midras
The person or object who becomes unclean via the midras is categorized as a Rishon L'Tumah.
Purification
The purification of the midras object is accomplished by immersing the object in a bath (before sunsetSunset
Sunset or sundown is the daily disappearance of the Sun below the horizon in the west as a result of Earth's rotation.The time of sunset is defined in astronomy as the moment the trailing edge of the Sun's disk disappears below the horizon in the west...
), and the subsequent elapse of sunset.
Disqualified objects
Objects that are not subject to becoming unclean as midras include;- Unformed plates of Terracotta,
- Any object or vessel of stoneSTONeis a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Sin-Ichi Hiromoto. Kodansha released the two bound volumes of the manga on April 23, 2002 and August 23, 2002, respectively.The manga is licensed for an English-languague released in North America be Tokyopop...
, - Fabric or vessels made from fish (or any sea-life)
- Objects or vessels affixed to the ground