(a) Can I get more insight as to why cutting nails is potential hazard which can cause a miscarriage? I am not following this gemara. How come? What is the source for this? I see no verse that gives the reason. I see just a statement from the Gemara and what seems like nothing to back it up? Why is cutting nails a potential hazard; what is this based on?
(b) Where in Shulchan Aruch does it state this? What areas constitute a reshus harabim? What if cutting nails is done in one's own bathroom? Does it have to be with a nail clipper or is this problem also with biting nails off? Is it finger and toenails? PLease respond.
Zvi Shapiro, Long Beach, CA USA
(a) There certainly may be a hazard that has roots in metaphysical, Kabbalistic sources which were passed from teacher to student. However, it's very possible that there is a simple, physical reason behind the hazard as well.
The Gemara tells us (Bava Kama 63b) that a sudden jolt, such as that caused by a loud dog's bark, can cause a woman to miscarry. The jolt caused by walking on a sharp piece of toenail (barefoot, or with sandals that are open on top to let in the nail) can have the same effect.
If so, it would make no difference whether the nail is clipped or ripped, whether it is from a finger or toe, or whether it is in a bathroom or elsewhere. In either case it should not be left in a place that a pregnant woman might frequent. In an area not frequented by women, it is permitted.
(b) These laws were codified by the Mishnah Berurah in OC 260:1:6 based on the Be'er Heitev there.
The Be'er Heitev adds a Kabbalistic reason for this, from the Tola'as Yakov. Before Adam sinned, he was entirely covered by a protective nail-like substance. After sinning, he lost it and all that remained were the fingernails. Since Woman caused this loss of these "nails", she is disposed to be punished through nails.
Best wishes,
Mordecai Kornfeld
Kollel Iyun Hadaf
i understand that this whole concept is regarding a woman not wearing any shoes or socks?
is that so?
thank you
nesanel shalom
lamehadrin inc.
I don't quite have this one nailed down yet...
I think I remember something to the effect that the "stepping on the nails" only applies to the spot where the nail first landed on the ground, but if it was subsequently moved after it was on the ground, then there is no danger...
also, re Adam and the sin, when I was looking for something on women not doing havdalah for themselves, I came across an explanation regarding the nail-like protective coating that explained because Woman caused the loss, they do not look at their nails with the havdalah candle, but I have not been able to find a proper source for this.
Much appreciation for all,
Gedaliah
With all due respect your explanation of "cutting nails and miscarriage-spontaneous abortion" is a good example of the medieval myths called Bova tales mistranslated by Yiddish speaking Jews as Bubba Meinsers. Pregnancies not going to term have had various myths by different peoples; and we Jews are no exception. Adam being encased in a nail-like substance is no exception. Adam is allegorical for the first man of earth. His sin can be interpreted various ways. First Hashem did not want man to decide what is good and what is evil. Only Hashem has the power to make that decision so that it is not left up to man to make an arbitrary and capricious judgment. Man is given the gift to decide what is truth and what is falsehood. Second man substituted wisdom for knowledge. So that we have the knowledge to harness atomic energy but not the wisdom to refrain from using it as a weapon of mass destruction. Returning to the first premise of cutting nails QED miscarriage.. As a physician
I have attended pregnant women wo had acute appendicitis or passing a kidney stone [one of the most painfully experienced symptom], with no undue consequences -miscarriage- or afflicting the fetus adversely. I hope that you would not summarily dismiss what I have just conveyed, and label me the Yiddish equivalent of a disbeliever or "Epicurean." I have not forgotten the proscription against Lashon Hara or public humiliation, by sending a copy of this note to Zvi Shapiro who first posed a Shilah to you. I would greatly appreciate a response. I am always willing to learn and I am open for direction.
Zei Gesundt,
Gilbert K. Seligman, M.D.
Nesanel:
Whether or not the woman is wearing shoes or socks is irrelative, as the main reason for the Halachah is not the physical reason given above, but rather the metaphysical reasons behind it (as I will explain below).
[As of now, I have not found the source that women should not look at their nails during Havdalah. I believe the custom is that they do look at their nails, as the mainstream Poskim do not rule that women should not do so (see O.C. 298:3).]
Gedaliah:
The Gemara in Moed Katan (18a) explicitly states that the Halachah regarding nails only applies to the first spot where the nail falls. This is the reason why nails may be thrown in places where women do not normally tread, such as in the Beis Medrash, as even if they are swept outside they do not have an ill effect on pregnant women (this is codified by the Aruch Hashulchan O.C. 260:6). In my humble opinion, this seems to be a very strong question on the physical reason given above by Zvi Shapiro. I believe that the metaphysical reason is more correct.
Gilbert:
My friend, I am happy that you state at the end of your letter that you are always willing to learn and are open for direction. If there is one important lesson that I hope you will gain from this letter, it is that nothing stated in the Gemara is a "Bubba Meiseh." Everything stated in the Gemara has a reason, whether physical or metaphysical. As I stated above (response to Gedaliah), it seems clear to me that the main reason for this Halachah is metaphysical, as codified by the Be'air Heitev (O.C. 260, there may be other metaphysical reasons as well). Therefeore, the fact that you are a doctor who has seen women with acute appendicitis or passing kidney stones, and they do not miscarry, has nothing to do with the Halachic fact that women who step on nails may miscarry.
Let me clarify further. The Gemara does not clearly say that every woman who steps on a nail will definitely miscarry. However, their stepping on nails is a reminder of the sin of Chavah, which caused Adam HaRishon to take on a form other than the way that Hashem created him, losing his outer layer of nail (besides his fingernails and toenails). This causes the "Midas ha'Din" -- "attribute of judgement" to judge a woman who steps on nails, that so too her child should not take on the proper form that it is supposed to take. She therefore is in danger of miscarriage.
As stated above, although the Halachah codifies that a woman should not step on a nail, it does not mean she will certainly miscarry. The Gemara in Sotah (6a) quotes opinions that state that even the waters given to a Sotah, that the Torah states will cause her to die a horrible death if she is indeed guilty, may not take effect if a woman has various merits. So, too, it is possible that a woman who steps on a nail will not miscarry, as she might have merits which will let her escape from the judgement that is caused by her stepping on a nail. However, we must protect our unborn children as best as we can. Chazal therefore stated that we should make sure not to put our unborn children at risk by allowing pregnant women to step on nails. Please feel free to write back with any questions regarding this answer, or any other Halachah that you have difficulty understanding. Be certain, however, that none of them are a "Bubba Meiseh."
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose