A Woman's Walk: Does YHWH Punish Us For Having Girls?
Leviticus 12:1-5
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days.
It’s hard to be a woman. Misunderstandings of Scripture can make us feel that we are punished for being women instead of treasured. It is not uncommon for us to hear that we cannot teach, wear pants, or that we are to remain quiet during Shabbat gatherings.
Just as there are different laws that apply to the Priests, there are also different laws that apply to women. Sometimes those differences can seem like there is a double standard, but in reality there isn’t. This is why it is so important to understand how Scripture applies to our lives. Leviticus 12:1-5 is one of those times that if misunderstood, it can seem like a double standard, and not just a difference.
We are often asked if YHWH is punishing us by doubling the time of purification when we have a baby girl. While the Scriptures don’t explain why the purification time is doubled, if we take a look at what happens when we give birth to a baby girl, we might be able to understand a bit better.
During the 9 months in utero our babies are flooded with extra hormones. When we give birth, the extra hormones cause our baby girl's genitals to become swollen and red and then they have a mucus discharge and bleeding. This is their first and last cycle for a decade or more. All of this is normal and can last 1-4 weeks.
After giving birth to a girl, there would be 2 females going through a time of purification. It would be our understanding that because there are 2 females, then the time is doubled, 1 week and 33 days for each one.
When looking at what happens physically, we can understand a bit more; our Creator isn’t punishing us nor is He against us as women. YHWH loves us and as we continue to seek His ways and strive to be obedient to His Word, we pray that He blesses us with more and more understanding.
We hope this has blessed you!