Menstrual Taboos

Essay # 28904

Religion and Theology > Islam
Religion and Theology > Judaism
Women Studies > Culture
Women Studies > Spirituality

Menstrual Taboos

Discusses ritualistic practices surrounding menses in Judaism and Islam.

1,526 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the existence of menstrual taboos in two religions - Islam and Judaism. It shows the history of these practices from ancient times until today, discusses ritual cleansing such as the Jewish use of the mikveh and then compares the two religions.

From the Paper:

"The ritual also gives the woman a chance to "redeem" herself and renew this purity monthly. Once a woman completes menopause, she completes one final Mikveh ritual and then she is pure the rest of her life. It is said that when a woman completes menopause, she is the closest in value to men as she will ever be. Jewish menstrual taboos, to the outsider, seem to restrict a woman, and make her an outcast. But does this really restrict her, or does it seem a blessing to her, because she is released from her duties once a month? That is for the reader to decide."