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Leviticus 17:15 - Impure meal requires purification.

Leviticus 17:15 - ויקרא 17:15

Hebrew Text

וְכָל־נֶפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר תֹּאכַל נְבֵלָה וּטְרֵפָה בָּאֶזְרָח וּבַגֵּר וְכִבֶּס בְּגָדָיו וְרָחַץ בַּמַּיִם וְטָמֵא עַד־הָעֶרֶב וְטָהֵר׃

English Translation

And every person that eats that which died of itself, or that which was torn by beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening: then shall he be clean.

Transliteration

Vechol-nefesh asher tochal neveilah utereifah ba'ezrach uvager vechibes begadav verachatz bamayim vetame ad-ha'erev vetahor.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכׇל־נֶ֗פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאכַ֤ל נְבֵלָה֙ וּטְרֵפָ֔ה בָּאֶזְרָ֖ח וּבַגֵּ֑ר וְכִבֶּ֨ס בְּגָדָ֜יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֛יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעֶ֖רֶב וְטָהֵֽר׃
וְכׇל־נֶ֗פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאכַ֤ל נְבֵלָה֙ וּטְרֵפָ֔ה בָּאֶזְרָ֖ח וּבַגֵּ֑ר וְכִבֶּ֨ס בְּגָדָ֜יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֛יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעֶ֖רֶב וְטָהֵֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Verse Context in Leviticus

The verse (Leviticus 17:15) appears in the context of the laws of tum'ah (ritual impurity) and taharah (ritual purity), specifically addressing the consumption of nevelah (an animal that died naturally) and terefah (an animal torn by beasts). These laws apply equally to native Israelites (ezrach) and converts/sojourners (ger), emphasizing universal obligations in matters of purity.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that this verse teaches two key principles:

  • Equal Obligation: Both ezrach and ger are subject to the same laws of impurity, highlighting that ritual purity is not limited to native-born Jews but extends to all who join the covenant.
  • Severity of Consumption: Even though eating nevelah or terefah is not punishable by karet (divine excision), it still incurs impurity, requiring immersion and laundering clothes.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Tumat Ochalin 4:1), Rambam (Maimonides) codifies this law, stating that one who eats even a small amount of nevelah or terefah becomes impure. The impurity lasts until evening (erev), after immersion in a mikveh. Rambam emphasizes that this applies regardless of whether the consumption was intentional or accidental.

Midrashic Insight

The Sifra (Torat Kohanim) connects this verse to the broader theme of sanctity, teaching that avoiding nevelah and terefah cultivates spiritual discipline. By immersing and laundering, one symbolically "resets" their state of purity, reflecting the Torah's emphasis on maintaining holiness in daily life.

Practical Implications

  • Immersion Requirement: The obligation to bathe in water (rachatz bamayim) refers to immersion in a kosher mikveh, as derived from Talmudic sources (Chullin 122a).
  • Clothing Laundering: Washing garments signifies removing external traces of impurity, paralleling the inner purification process (see Zohar on Leviticus).
  • Evening Purification: The impurity lasts until sunset, symbolizing a complete cycle of repentance and renewal (based on Vayikra Rabbah 22:8).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 33a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the consumption of nevelah (an animal that died without ritual slaughter) and treifah (an animal with a mortal defect). The Talmud examines the implications of the verse for the purity laws and the requirements for washing clothes and bathing.
📖 Keritot 21a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the atonement process and the conditions under which one becomes impure, particularly focusing on the consumption of nevelah and treifah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 17:15 mean?
A: Leviticus 17:15 teaches that if a person—whether Jewish or a stranger—eats meat from an animal that died naturally (נבלה) or was killed by wild animals (טרפה), they become ritually impure (טמא). To regain purity, they must wash their clothes, immerse in a mikveh (ritual bath), and wait until evening.
Q: Why is eating נבלה or טרפה forbidden?
A: The Torah forbids eating נבלה (an animal that died naturally) or טרפה (an animal torn by beasts) because these are not properly slaughtered according to Jewish law (שחיטה כהלכה). Such meat is spiritually impure and can negatively affect a person's holiness. The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 4:8) explains that these laws elevate our eating habits to a holy standard.
Q: Why must a person wash clothes and bathe after eating נבלה?
A: Washing clothes and immersing in water (טבילה) are part of the purification process to remove ritual impurity (טומאה). Rashi (on this verse) explains that physical cleansing reflects spiritual cleansing—removing the spiritual stain caused by consuming forbidden meat. After these steps, the person becomes pure again by nightfall.
Q: Does this law apply to non-Jews as well?
A: Yes, the verse specifies that this law applies to both 'the native' (Jews) and 'the stranger' (non-Jews living among Jews). According to the Talmud (Chullin 92b), certain dietary restrictions, including נבלה, apply to Bnei Noach (non-Jews) as well, though their obligations differ from Jewish law.
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: Today, Orthodox Jews strictly avoid eating נבלה or טרפה by only consuming meat that is properly slaughtered (כשר) and inspected. If someone accidentally eats non-kosher meat, they should consult a rabbi about spiritual rectification (תשובה). The mitzvah reminds us to be mindful of holiness in everyday actions, including eating.