May a woman visit a cemetery when she is a Nidah?[1]
It is customary for women to avoid visiting a cemetery during the days that they are a Nidah.[2] Some Poskim[3] rule this applies even during the seven clean days, until she immerses in a Mikveh. Others[4] rule it only applies during the actual flow and hence she may visit a gravesite during the seven clean days [as well as single girls may visit at all times that the cycle is not occurring[5]]. Practically a woman may be lenient in a time of need to go during her clean days.[6] Furthermore, if not going will cause her great distress then she may be lenient even when seeing the actual flow.[7] Nevertheless in such a case it is best for her to stand four Amos away from the Kever.[8] Based on above a woman may be lenient on the following instances at all times: 1) Yartzite of her parents.[9] 2) She is leaving town and not returning for a while.[10]
Does the above custom apply even to Kivrei Tzaddikim?[11] Some[12] write this custom applies even to Kivrei Tzaddikim. Others[13] write it does not apply to Kivrei Tzaddikim. Many women are accustomed to only be stringent during the actual flow and not during the seven clean days [or by a single girl when she is not having her flow].[14] This is the widespread custom followed by women regarding going on Lag Baomer to Meiron, that they are only stringent when seeing the actual flow.[15]
[1] See Taharah Kehalacha 14/129; Nitei Gavriel Aveilus 2/84
[2] Pischeiy Teshuvah Y.D. 195/19 in name of Chamudei Daniel; Chayeh Adam 3/38; Aruch Hashulchan 195/28; Kaf Hachaim 88/12; Kitzur Dinei Taharah 3/25
[3] Chayeh Adam 3/38; M”B 88/7; Kaf Hachaim 88/12; Shiureiy Shevet Halevy p. 274; See Nitei Gavriel ibid that also brings from: Tirosh Veyitzhar 146; Taharas Yisrael 195/51; Kneses Yechezkal Sefaradi “Nun” 89; Maharam Shick in Hakdama.
[4] Shulchan Melachim Dinei Nidda Veyoledes 5 [p. 35]; Peri Hasadeh 4/93 [questions Chayeh Adam]; Taharah Kehalacha ibid footnote 279; See Nitei Gavriel ibid that also brings from: Chemdas Moshe 62; Leket Hakemach 88; Beir Mordechai 195; Divrei Shalom 4/154
[5] “As otherwise any single girl or woman, whether she is still a Besula or is widowed or divorced will never be able to go to a cemetery” [Shulchan Melachim ibid]
[6] Shiureiy Shevet Halevi p. 274; Taharah Kehalacha ibid
[7] Daas Torah 88 in name of Chemdas Moshe 62; Shulchan Melachim Dinei Nidda Veyoledes 5 [p. 35]; Nitei Gavriel ibid; Taharah Kehalacha ibid
[8] Shiureiy Shevet Halevi ibid; Nitei Gavriel ibid; Taharah Kehalacha ibid
[9] Shulchan Melachim ibid; Nitei Gavriel ibid; Taharah Kehalacha
[10] Shulchan Melachim ibid
[11] Taharah Kehalacha 14/130
[12] Chibas Yerushalayim “Ranenu Tzaddikim” 3, brought in Taharah Kehalacha ibid footnote 283; See Nitei Gavriel ibid that also brings from: Kneses Yechezkal Sefaradi “Nun” 89 that in Bagdad the custom was to avoid visiting Kivrei Tzaddikim until they went to Mikveh.
[13] Beir Mordechai in name of Asher Ledavid p. 35, brought in Taharah Kehalacha ibid footnote 283
[14] Taharah Kehalacha ibid; I was told by Rav Moshe Y. L. Landau, chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak, that practically this is the custom a woman is to follow and hence they are not to go to the Ohel when seeing an actual flow but they may go during the other days.
[15] Taharah Kehalacha ibid in name of “Elderly women of prestige families” in Yerushalayim.
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