Shabbat 129: Healing After Childbirth and Bloodletting

We are lenient if a woman says that she does need for Shabbat to be desecrated after she has finished the process of childbirth in accordance with Mar Zutra.  But when does the womb open?  Abaye says when she sits on the travailing chair.  Rav Huna son of Rav Yehoshua says that it is when the blood flows and descends.  Others say that it is when her friends need to carry her by her arms because she cannot walk on her own.  How long does the womb stay open?  Abaye says three days.  Rava in the name of Rav Yehuda says seven days.  Others say thirty days.  The rabbis want to understand how long a woman is in danger, for that is the amount of time that Gentiles should be asked to do work on Shabbat on her behalf.  

The rabbis discuss how long a woman is recovering from labour with an "open womb".  They consider immersion as a possible measure; Rav Chisda, Rav's wife, immersed within thirty days of giving birth, without her husband present, and she caught cold and then died.  We are also told that a fire is build for a woman in childbirth on Shabbat during the rainy season.  The Gemara says that both women and people who are ill require fire to be built at any time of year that helps their health.  One might even break (destroy) chairs or benches to use as firewood for these purposes - on Shabbat!  

After bloodletting, one is particularly needy and should be given more assistance as well.  The rabbis share many of their thoughts about bloodletting, self-preservation, and the compassion of the community.  In particular, the rabbis considers how a person should heal from bloodletting, including waiting thirty days.  Eating, drinking, and waiting for a period of time are suggested following bloodletting.

We are told not to let blood on the third day of the week because the planet Mars is dominant and it is a "planet of blood".  On the fourth day of the week that is also the fourth day of the month or the twenty-fourth day of the month, it is dangerous to let blood.  Several other days are named as days to avoid letting blood because it causes weakness or leads to danger or evil spirits.  As an aside, we learn that bloodletting often was performed by barbers who also cut hair and moustaches.  It cost nothing to cut one's moustache.

The Mishna's mention of tying the umbilical cord of a child born on Shabbat is expanded upon.  We learn that warming the newborn is done through warming the placenta.  Princesses are said to insulate the placental in mugs of oil, Daughters of wealthy fathers use combed wool and poor women do this in soft rags.   A prooftext is taken from Ezekiel (16:4) where the rabbis learn that we may cut the umbilical cord, wash the newborn, salt the newborn, and swaddle the newborn on Shabbat.