Keri
Encyclopedia
Keri is a Hebrew term which literally means "happenstance", "frivolity" or "contrariness" and has come to mean "seminal
emission". The term is generally used in Jewish law
to refer specifically to the regulations and rituals concerning the emission of semen
, whether by nocturnal emission
, or by sexual activity. By extension, a man is said to be a ba'al keri ("one who has had a seminal emission") after he has ejaculated without yet completing the associated ritual cleansing requirements.
specify that a man who had experienced an emission of semen would become ritually impure, until the evening came and the man had washed himself in water; any clothes or bits of skin which the semen came into contact with would also become ritually impure, until they had been washed in water and the evening had come. The code adds that if the emission of semen occurred during sexual intercourse with a woman, then the woman would also become ritually impure, until the evening had come and she had washed herself in water.
Although the regulations clearly have some sanitary benefit in the light of modern medical knowledge, non-traditional biblical scholars
see these regulations as having originally derived from taboo
against contact with semen, because it was considered to house life itself, and was thus thought of as sacred.
adds prohibitions designed to avoid keri in cases that don't involve sexual intercourse
. It was forbidden for a man to investigate himself to determine whether an emission of semen had occurred, on the basis that the sensation of touch causes keri (an oblique reference to masturbation
); the Talmud goes on to address the concern that preventing any contact with the penis
would make urination
more awkward for males, and makes suggestions in this regard.
Deliberate erection
s were considered by some of the Talmudic rabbis to be an excommunicable
offense.
's decree forbidding a ba'al keri from studying Torah no longer applies nowadays. Some dispute exists amongst the Rishonim
as to whether or not this applies to prayer as well. Rav Hai Gaon
(brought in the commentary of Yonah Gerondi
on Berakhot
) and Chananel ben Chushiel
(brought in Tosafot Hullin 122b) say that a ba'al keri, while he may study Torah, may not pray until he goes to a mikveh. Maimonides
in Hilchot Kriat Shma, chapter 4, hlakha 8 says that the decree was cancelled entirely and a ba'al keri may even say Kriat Shma
. In Hilkhot Teffilah, chapter 4, halakha 6, however, he says that the minhag
in Shinaar and Spain is that before prayer a ba'al keri should wash himself entirely with water. The consensus is that it is praiseworthy for a ba'al keri to immerse himself in the mikveh before praying, Kriat Shma, saying Berakhot
etc.
Semen
Semen is an organic fluid, also known as seminal fluid, that may contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize female ova...
emission". The term is generally used in Jewish law
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
to refer specifically to the regulations and rituals concerning the emission of semen
Semen
Semen is an organic fluid, also known as seminal fluid, that may contain spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and can fertilize female ova...
, whether by nocturnal emission
Nocturnal emission
A nocturnal emission involves either ejaculation during sleep for a male, or lubrication of the vagina for a female. It is also called a wet dream, and is sometimes considered a type of spontaneous orgasm....
, or by sexual activity. By extension, a man is said to be a ba'al keri ("one who has had a seminal emission") after he has ejaculated without yet completing the associated ritual cleansing requirements.
Hebrew Bible
The biblical regulations of the Priestly CodePriestly Code
The Priestly Code is the name given, by academia, to the body of laws expressed in the Torah which do not form part of the Holiness Code, the Covenant Code, the Ritual Decalogue, or the Ethical Decalogue. The Priestly Code constitutes the majority of Leviticus, as well as some of the laws...
specify that a man who had experienced an emission of semen would become ritually impure, until the evening came and the man had washed himself in water; any clothes or bits of skin which the semen came into contact with would also become ritually impure, until they had been washed in water and the evening had come. The code adds that if the emission of semen occurred during sexual intercourse with a woman, then the woman would also become ritually impure, until the evening had come and she had washed herself in water.
Although the regulations clearly have some sanitary benefit in the light of modern medical knowledge, non-traditional biblical scholars
Biblical criticism
Biblical criticism is the scholarly "study and investigation of Biblical writings that seeks to make discerning judgments about these writings." It asks when and where a particular text originated; how, why, by whom, for whom, and in what circumstances it was produced; what influences were at work...
see these regulations as having originally derived from taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
against contact with semen, because it was considered to house life itself, and was thus thought of as sacred.
Talmudic literature
The TalmudTalmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
adds prohibitions designed to avoid keri in cases that don't involve sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
. It was forbidden for a man to investigate himself to determine whether an emission of semen had occurred, on the basis that the sensation of touch causes keri (an oblique reference to masturbation
Masturbation
Masturbation refers to sexual stimulation of a person's own genitals, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation can be performed manually, by use of objects or tools, or by some combination of these methods. Masturbation is a common form of autoeroticism...
); the Talmud goes on to address the concern that preventing any contact with the penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
would make urination
Urination
Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, peeing, weeing, pissing, and more rarely, emiction, is the ejection of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. In healthy humans the process of urination is under voluntary control...
more awkward for males, and makes suggestions in this regard.
Deliberate erection
Erection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
s were considered by some of the Talmudic rabbis to be an excommunicable
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
offense.
Post-Talmudic literature
The Talmud relates that EzraEzra
Ezra , also called Ezra the Scribe and Ezra the Priest in the Book of Ezra. According to the Hebrew Bible he returned from the Babylonian exile and reintroduced the Torah in Jerusalem...
's decree forbidding a ba'al keri from studying Torah no longer applies nowadays. Some dispute exists amongst the Rishonim
Rishonim
"Rishon" redirects here. For the preon model in particle physics, see Harari Rishon Model. For the Israeli town, see Rishon LeZion.Rishonim were the leading Rabbis and Poskim who lived approximately during the 11th to 15th centuries, in the era before the writing of the Shulkhan Arukh and...
as to whether or not this applies to prayer as well. Rav Hai Gaon
Hai Gaon
Hai ben Sherira , was a medieval Jewish theologian, rabbi and scholar who served as Gaon of the Talmudic academy of Pumbedita during the early 11th century. He was born in 939 and died on March 28, 1038...
(brought in the commentary of Yonah Gerondi
Yonah Gerondi
Yonah ben Abraham Gerondi , also known as Rabbenu Yonah and Yonah of Gerona, was a Catalan rabbi and moralist, cousin of Nahmanides. He is most famous for his ethical work The Gates of Repentance .- Biography :...
on Berakhot
Berakhot
Berakhot, Brachot, or Brochos may refer to:*Berakhah, a Jewish benediction**Any one of the various benedictions; see List of Jewish prayers and blessings*Tractate Berakhot of the Talmud, which discusses benedictions, among other topics...
) and Chananel ben Chushiel
Chananel Ben Chushiel
Chananel ben Chushiel or Ḥananel ben Ḥushiel , an eleventh-century Tunisian Rabbi and Talmudist, was a student of one of the last Geonim. He is best known for his commentary on the Talmud. Chananel is often referred to as Rabbeinu Chananel - Hebrew for "our teacher, Chananel" .-Biography:"Rabbeinu...
(brought in Tosafot Hullin 122b) say that a ba'al keri, while he may study Torah, may not pray until he goes to a mikveh. Maimonides
Maimonides
Moses ben-Maimon, called Maimonides and also known as Mūsā ibn Maymūn in Arabic, or Rambam , was a preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher and one of the greatest Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages...
in Hilchot Kriat Shma, chapter 4, hlakha 8 says that the decree was cancelled entirely and a ba'al keri may even say Kriat Shma
Shema Yisrael
Shema Yisrael are the first two words of a section of the Torah that is a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services...
. In Hilkhot Teffilah, chapter 4, halakha 6, however, he says that the minhag
Minhag
Minhag is an accepted tradition or group of traditions in Judaism. A related concept, Nusach , refers to the traditional order and form of the prayers...
in Shinaar and Spain is that before prayer a ba'al keri should wash himself entirely with water. The consensus is that it is praiseworthy for a ba'al keri to immerse himself in the mikveh before praying, Kriat Shma, saying Berakhot
Berakhah
In Judaism, a berakhah, bracha, brokhe is a blessing, usually recited at a specific moment during a ceremony or other activity. The function of a berakhah is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing...
etc.