Birthing Mother

The Torah speaks of the difference for a woman giving birth to a male, rather than a female. The amount of impurity connected with a female, is double the amount for giving birth to a male.

The Torah begins with the birth of the male and explains that the mother shall sit in her impurity for seven days. On the eighth day, even if it is Shabbat, the baby should be circumcised.

The explanation for this difference in impurity, is hinted to, with the command to perform Brit Mila. This is a very special and spiritually uplifting ceremony.

The ordeal of giving birth is not very simple. The pain and trauma is connected to the curse of Eve in the Garden of Eden. “You shall give birth with great pain.”

The Alshich describes the vow the woman makes and later regrets, that she will never have children again. She needs time to recover both physically and emotionally.

The idea of impurity is connected with separation. She is secluded to the extent that she can contemplate what has transpired, and get back to herself.

The birth of a boy speeds up the healing and recovery process. The Brit Mila is a great celebration. Being blessed with a son who will carry on the family name, and will continue Jewish tradition, is very uplifting.

This is not to imply that we are not equally joyful with the birth of a daughter. The real beauty in a Jewish woman is her modesty. Women do not need the ceremonies or as many practical Mitzvot as men. They do not have as strong a Yeitzer Hara as men.

Admittedly, this interpretation has its limitations. But it does give a reasonable explanation for the Torah’s rules of separation while giving birth to a boy or girl.