Today's Gospel reading is about a desparate woman who had been waiting on the Lord for 12 years. Most Clergy are men and often may not realize the full implications of the plight of this woman in Mark's gospel, or are too embarrassed to talk about it. Its one of those things that make men uncomfortable.

The Jews, have laws regarding blood that also apply to a woman’s menstrual cycle. When a woman’s period begins she is considered “unclean” and while remaining in the household would have to keep herself separate with no physical contact of any kind, with anyone, due to her “ritual impurity”. They could not even touch any object she had touched. I have lived with a man I loved, who wouldn't touch me so I know how this feels - it is far from easy.

For the woman in the gospel, when her nornal bleeding continued beyond 7 days, it would have been considered abnormal (zavah) and that was subject to even more stringent requirements. Being “unclean” for 12 years meant her husband and children would not have been able to touch her without them being considered Unclean. No sex with her husband, no hugs from her children unless they were unclean themselves anyway. Separate from her family - light-headed and constantly tired, probably dizzy and nauseous from blood loss, and unable to live a normal life. Worst of all, even unable to approach God for help, like a leper, her presence would have been considered to be polluting the Temple. The penalty for which is karet, exile from the people of Israel or a divine decree of death. No wonder she had spent every penny she could on trying to find a cure.

She had heard about the healer from Galilee and was desperate. She was breaking the law in even touching Jesus clothes while unclean, but it was a total act of faith in His ability to heal her. Love and faith, cover a multitude of sins. Knowing the punishment she could suffer, for making him unclean, she was slow to reply and confess to Jesus that she had touched him. It meant He would have to wash himself and his clothes and would still be “unclean” until evening. But Jesus did not condemn her. He was on his way to see Jairus sick little daughter, who was dead when he got there, touching a dead body would absolutely make someone “unclean.” Now Jesus was "unclean" already and he had no intention of leaving the girl dead. Everyone rejoiced.

I like to picture the joyful rejoicing a week later. The woman had to wait for 7 days of no bleeding or discharge. Then go and show a Rabbi the clean cloths and take the ritual Mikveh. A bath or shower wherein every part of the body (including the ears and underneath the nails) is thoroughly washed, fingernails and toenails trimmed, teeth brushed and flossed, and hair done. Then finally immersion in the Mikveh pool, with prayers, then home to hug her children, to be held by her husband. Finally able to do things for them again, and rejoin family life, and on Shabbat, to once more hear the Word of the Lord read from the Torah and be able to say Thank You. Her long exile over.