Why the obsession with women's menstrual cycles in the Abrahamic faiths?

[idav]

Could the answer be simply that by putting a woman away during menstruation kept primitive men from having to deal with any PMS issues?

Something gave them the idea that blood can be impure. I find it interesting that the menstrual verses are next to the leprosy cursed verses. Chapter 12 of Leviticus calls for a purification after birth and then chapter 13 talks about skin diseases and ways of purification. Nice of them to say god told them but I see it as their way of smartly handling something that was likely problematic for any group. Some superstition but intelligent for the most part.

 

[Wherenextcolumbus]

Something gave them the idea that blood can be impure. I find it interesting that the menstrual verses are next to the leprosy cursed verses. Chapter 12 of Leviticus calls for a purification after birth and then chapter 13 talks about skin diseases and ways of purification. Nice of them to say god told them but I see it as their way of smartly handling something that was likely problematic for any group. Some superstition but intelligent for the most part.

They should of smartly made it mandatory for the husband to
stay at home with his wife the first 2 days of her period and give her massages and cups of tea

 

[Philda Tressie]

I've often tried (and failed) to understand why the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism and Islam more than Christianity) have such a major issue with what is really a natural part of biology.

The Tanakh declares a woman as being unclean during her menustrual cycle, gives various prohibitions on activities she can/cannot do, and she must then enter the mikveh after it finished to be clean again.

Islam has something of the same, with a woman unable to pray, attend mosque or even handle/read a Qur'an during her period. After it is finished, she must then take a full bath (ghusl) to then be considered pure again.

Even Christianity, where there is no specific scriptural rules, had for centuries specific theories as to how the womb/periods caused hysteria, fever and other illnesses, including the famous 'moving womb' which was supposed to cause mental illness.

I've tried researching this and I can't seem to find a logical basis for these rules, and yet it seems odd that three major religions have had something of the same beliefs.

Does anyone know why?

IMO it is not obsession, but guidelines for physical and psychological well-being. Some women suffer severe pain during menstruation. Hormonal influences can also cause undue mental stress. It seems fair to me that a woman is cut some slack during this time.

 

[jien57908]

Could the answer be simply that by putting a woman away during menstruation kept primitive men from having to deal with any PMS issues?

I do not think and this is rubbish. Women menstruation is natural but this is taken as a curse which is wrong. My friend has a blog which tells truth of women's menstruation, check out
How to Make Your Period Flow Heavier

 

[j1i]

I've often tried (and failed) to understand why the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism and Islam more than Christianity) have such a major issue with what is really a natural part of biology.

The Tanakh declares a woman as being unclean during her menustrual cycle, gives various prohibitions on activities she can/cannot do, and she must then enter the mikveh after it finished to be clean again.

Islam has something of the same, with a woman unable to pray, attend mosque or even handle/read a Qur'an during her period. After it is finished, she must then take a full bath (ghusl) to then be considered pure again.

Even Christianity, where there is no specific scriptural rules, had for centuries specific theories as to how the womb/periods caused hysteria, fever and other illnesses, including the famous 'moving womb' which was supposed to cause mental illness.

I've tried researching this and I can't seem to find a logical basis for these rules, and yet it seems odd that three major religions have had something of the same beliefs.

Does anyone know why?

Hmmm
God loves purity and cleanliness
Therefore, menstruation is a part created by God in women to help them directly and indirectly
Indirectly relaxed from many obligations, sexual , or prayers and some duties
Vacation from the conditions of life because it is the reason for the exit of life (bring babies to life)

God is wise and God knows

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Many, many cultures have rituals and rules associated with a woman's time of month.

Comes to mind a Native American culture that had a special lodge for menstruating women. It kind of gave them a break from their normal work for a week.

You have to consider that in the ancient world, seeing blood meant injury and death. There is a normal human sense of alarm at the sight of blood. It should not come as a surprise that many cultures had these rituals.