The answer is: 40 days

Lev 12:2-8 - After giving birth to a boy, a woman was considered unclean for 40 days; for a girl, it was 80 days. This period included both the time of uncleanness and the additional days of purification.

In Leviticus 12:2-8, we dive into some rather intriguing cultural practices that illustrate the societal perceptions of purity in ancient times. When a woman gave birth to a boy, she was deemed unclean for 40 days, while the period stretched to 80 days for a girl. This distinction might prompt us to ponder the significance attributed to male and female births in a patriarchal society that saw fertility as fundamentally linked to its cultural and social frameworks.

The significance of these realms of waiting and purification is not just about physical cleanliness; it's intertwined with the community's ritual life and relationship with the divine. Childbearing involves profound changes, and during this time, a mother was likely encouraged to bond with her newborn away from the wider social fabric.

Interestingly, while these days of purification might seem removed from modern practices, they echo timeless themes of restoration and renewal. In many cultures, the post-birth phase is filled with rituals, indicating care for both the mother and the child.

Also, speaking of interesting tidbits, did you know that similar purification laws can be found in ancient texts outside the Hebrew Bible, such as in codes from Mesopotamia? They support the idea that concerns for maternal health and rituals after childbirth were widespread ancient beliefs! All these layers help illuminate the complexities of human societies, how they believed in divine order, and how that affected their laws and practices through generations.