Leviticus 12:1-8 describes the purification system for women who give birth in ancient Israel. This is a part of the ritual purity laws and offers instructions on how a new mother is to be purified of niddah (womb bleeding) uncleanness after childbirth. One puzzling aspect of childbirth purification is why the mother must wait only 40 days after giving birth to a boy, but 80 days for a girl? Additionally, she must offer a burnt and sin offering, even though this is typically reserved for individuals who have recently been healed of a bodily discharge disorder caused by sin (Lev 15:13-15; 28-30). Having a child isn’t a sin or a disorder, so why?