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In the 6th (at a meal) or 7th (under the Chuppah) of Sheva Brachos, we read the line of גילה רינה, דיצה וחדווה, אהבה ואחווה, ושלום ורעות. I have heard that the first four words are referring to the relationship between a couple when the woman is Tahor and that the last four are referring to the relationship between a couple when the woman is a Niddah.

Does anyone have a source for this? I have heard that the Maharal may have said this but have come up empty locating a source.

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  • While I haven't located a source, the explanation sounds logical. The translation of the first four items appear to be "external" emotional expressions. The last four - "love, harmony, peace and companionship" are more "internal" and everlasting. It is easy to express "joy, gladness and rejoicing" when you have physical contact with your wife when she is not a niddah. When she is a niddah and you must separate, the other 4 items become more of a challenge and you need to find ways to express them without the physical contact. – DanF May 28 '14 at 19:50
  • That's a great understanding. If you can't find a source, I'd accept that as an answer – Bochur613 May 28 '14 at 20:01
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    I have the answer, but I'll only say if you change your username to Yungerman613... Just kidding! – Adám Jun 2 '14 at 20:05
  • Very Funny @NBZ. Looking forward to the answer – Bochur613 Jun 2 '14 at 20:06
  • @NBZ do you indeed have a source? – Bochur613 Jun 2 '14 at 20:20
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I don't know where it is in the Maharal, though he is quoted as saying this by Tehila Abramov סוד הנשיות היהודית p64.

I have also heard it quoted in the name of the Ramban.

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