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Purity (Tehora). Dir. Anat Zuria. Amithos Films, 2002. 63 min.
Purity (Tehora), a 2002 film by Israeli filmmaker Anat Zuria, is a disturbing and insightful examination of the ancient laws (particularly Family Purity or Taharat Hamischpacha) regarding women's sexuality. At the heart of the film is the niddah, the seven day period following menstruation during which women must separate themselves from their husbands. During this time, according to Lev.18:19) the women are considered unclean. The woman remains unclean until she immerses herself in the ritual bath or mikvah. Three women are profiled in this documentary, and each of the three approaches the ritual with a different attitude and perspective. One-left marriage in protest; another faithfully teaches the ritual to her daughter, about to be...