'Natural' impurites of the body in the Bible

[nablaise]

In the Bible it seems that Israelites had several rituals of purification related to what can be considered natural function of the body. Most of these seem to be about women and their circles, but I think there are some for men as well.

Does anyone know reasons behind these rituals? any theological explanation as to why people were considered impure?

Thanks and God bless

 

[Ron_Conte]

The human body is in the fallen state, as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. And so, some things that are natural to the fallen state are not natural to the state of original innocence, but are a result of original sin. Thus it was fitting for the Jews to have certain ritual purifications as a type of acknowledgement that we are all in the fallen state as a result of original sin.

Certain rituals had a practical necessity, such as the ritual of keeping a mother and her newborn isolated from other persons, even family, for a certain number of days. This permitted bonding of mother and child. Also, it served to protect the newborn from exposure to the many relatives who would want to see the child, but who might transmit some illness (in a time with very limited medical care).