Blood in Ancient Jewish Culture

Abstract

The article analyzes the Jewish attitude towards blood, conceived both as the vehicle of life, and as a polluting product of feminine bodies. The author analyzes numerous Biblical sources concerning the "unapproachable" blood of menstruation, the role of blood in the generation of the fetus, the blood as source of illness, the practice of bloodletting, and finally the idea that male menstruation exists as a peculiarity of the Jews.

Key words: Blood- Ancient Jewish Culture - Scripture - Talmud - Anti-semitism.