Relationships
Sleeping in One Bed During Niddah
Question
My wife and I have begun observing niddah, and since we have a double mattress, I am sleeping in another room. Is there any option for us to sleep in the same bed with a blanket for each of us or something similar?
Answer
Hello and blessings,
There is no advice or wisdom against Hashem! You should purchase separate beds so that you can sleep next to each other in the same room even during the week of observing purity. You can use ma'aser funds for this purpose. This is the halacha as stated in the Shulchan Aruch: "One may not sleep with her in one bed even if the bed is not designated for her, and even if each is in their own garment and they do not touch each other, and even if each has a separate sheet."
Even if they are lying on two beds and the beds touch each other, it is prohibited. If they are lying on the ground, one may not lie face to face unless there is a great distance between them. The same applies if they are sleeping on two beds close to each other in length, as sometimes they may be face to face even if there is a barrier between the beds, it is prohibited unless there is a distance such that they do not touch each other while sleeping [and there are those who are strict to require a distance of about a handbreadth, which is approximately 50 cm]. It is forbidden for the husband to even sit on the bed designated for her, even if it is not in front of her, and she is forbidden to lie on the bed designated for him, but sitting on it does not require stringency."
Wishing you success, - Menashe Yisrael
עברית
