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Leviticus 11:26 - Unclean hooves: why avoid contact?

Leviticus 11:26 - ויקרא 11:26

Hebrew Text

לְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר הִוא מַפְרֶסֶת פַּרְסָה וְשֶׁסַע אֵינֶנָּה שֹׁסַעַת וְגֵרָה אֵינֶנָּה מַעֲלָה טְמֵאִים הֵם לָכֶם כָּל־הַנֹּגֵעַ בָּהֶם יִטְמָא׃

English Translation

The carcasses of every beast which parts the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor chews the cud, are unclean to you: everyone that touches them shall be unclean.

Transliteration

Lechol-habehema asher hi mafreset parsah veshessa einena shosa'at vegerah einena ma'alah teme'im hem lachem kol-hanoge'a bahem yitma.

Hebrew Leining Text

לְֽכׇל־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִוא֩ מַפְרֶ֨סֶת פַּרְסָ֜ה וְשֶׁ֣סַע <b>׀</b> אֵינֶ֣נָּה שֹׁסַ֗עַת וְגֵרָה֙ אֵינֶ֣נָּה מַעֲלָ֔ה טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶ֑ם כׇּל־הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּהֶ֖ם יִטְמָֽא׃
לְֽכׇל־הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִוא֩ מַפְרֶ֨סֶת פַּרְסָ֜ה וְשֶׁ֣סַע ׀ אֵינֶ֣נָּה שֹׁסַ֗עַת וְגֵרָה֙ אֵינֶ֣נָּה מַעֲלָ֔ה טְמֵאִ֥ים הֵ֖ם לָכֶ֑ם כׇּל־הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּהֶ֖ם יִטְמָֽא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 11:26) is part of the Torah's detailed laws regarding kosher and non-kosher animals, specifically addressing those animals that have one sign of purity but lack the other. Here, the Torah declares unclean any animal that has a split hoof (מַפְרֶסֶת פַּרְסָה) but does not chew its cud (גֵרָה אֵינֶנָּה מַעֲלָה). Such animals are considered טְמֵאִים (impure), and contact with their carcasses transmits impurity.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Vayikra 11:26) explains that this verse refers to animals like the pig (חזיר), which has split hooves but does not chew its cud. He emphasizes that the Torah explicitly lists both signs—chewing the cud and having split hooves—to teach that an animal must possess both to be kosher. The absence of either renders it non-kosher and impure.

Rambam's Explanation

In Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot (1:2), the Rambam codifies this law, stating that an animal is only permitted if it both chews its cud and has fully split hooves. He further explains (1:3) that touching the carcass of an impure animal transmits ritual impurity (טומאה), which has halachic consequences, particularly in matters of purity related to the Beit HaMikdash.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 13:5) connects this law to moral lessons, suggesting that an animal with only one sign of purity symbolizes hypocrisy—outwardly appearing kosher (split hooves) but lacking internal refinement (not chewing the cud). The pig, for example, presents its hooves as if it were kosher but does not meet the full criteria.

Halachic Implications

  • Impurity Transmission: The verse states that touching the carcass of such an animal makes one טמא (impure), requiring purification through immersion in a mikveh (see Rambam, Hilchot Tum'at Meit 1:1).
  • Kashrut Determination: The Gemara (Chullin 59a) discusses how to verify these signs, ruling that an animal must be observed chewing its cud and have fully split hooves down to the foot.

Symbolic Interpretation

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 156) explains that these laws train us in discipline and discernment, teaching us to distinguish between pure and impure in both physical and spiritual matters. The requirement for both internal (chewing cud) and external (split hooves) signs reflects the Torah's emphasis on integrity in thought and action.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 59a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of kosher animals, specifically regarding the signs that make an animal unclean.
📖 Niddah 51b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the impurity of touching unclean animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 11:26 mean?
A: Leviticus 11:26 explains that certain animals are considered unclean (טמא) if they have only one sign of kosher status (either split hooves or chewing cud), but not both. For example, a pig has split hooves but does not chew its cud, making it non-kosher. This verse teaches us which animals are forbidden to eat or touch when they are dead (as carcasses).
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is part of the Torah's laws of kashrut (dietary laws), which are fundamental in Jewish life. Keeping kosher is a mitzvah (commandment) that connects Jews to Hashem's will. The Rambam (Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot) explains that these laws teach discipline, holiness, and separation for spiritual refinement.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 11:26 today?
A: This verse reminds us that Judaism values mindfulness in what we consume—both physically and spiritually. Just as we avoid non-kosher animals, we must also be careful about influences that may be spiritually 'unclean.' The Talmud (Chullin 59b) discusses these signs in detail, showing that Torah wisdom applies to daily choices.
Q: How does this apply to touching unclean animals?
A: The verse states that touching the carcass of an unclean animal makes a person ritually impure (טמא). This impurity has halachic (Jewish legal) consequences, such as restrictions on entering the Temple or handling sacred items. Today, while the Temple is not standing, the principle teaches us to avoid contact with spiritually harmful influences (Rashi on Leviticus 11:26).
Q: What animals does this verse refer to?
A: This verse refers to animals that have only one kosher sign (either split hooves or chewing cud) but not both. Examples include the camel (chews cud but no split hooves) and the pig (split hooves but doesn’t chew cud). The Torah lists these explicitly in Leviticus 11:4-7, and the Talmud (Chullin 59a) elaborates on their identifying features.