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Leviticus 11:40 - Impurity from carcass requires cleansing?

Leviticus 11:40 - ויקרא 11:40

Hebrew Text

וְהָאֹכֵל מִנִּבְלָתָהּ יְכַבֵּס בְּגָדָיו וְטָמֵא עַד־הָעָרֶב וְהַנֹּשֵׂא אֶת־נִבְלָתָהּ יְכַבֵּס בְּגָדָיו וְטָמֵא עַד־הָעָרֶב׃

English Translation

And he that eats of the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until evening: he also that bears the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until evening.

Transliteration

Veha'okhel minivlatah yekhabes begadav vetame ad-ha'arev vehanose et-nivlatah yekhabes begadav vetame ad-ha'arev.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָֽאֹכֵל֙ מִנִּבְלָתָ֔הּ יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֣א עַד־הָעָ֑רֶב וְהַנֹּשֵׂא֙ אֶת־נִבְלָתָ֔הּ יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
וְהָֽאֹכֵל֙ מִנִּבְלָתָ֔הּ יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֣א עַד־הָעָ֑רֶב וְהַנֹּשֵׂא֙ אֶת־נִבְלָתָ֔הּ יְכַבֵּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Verse Context

This verse appears in Vayikra (Leviticus) 11:40, within the section detailing the laws of tum'ah (ritual impurity) related to the carcasses of non-kosher animals. The Torah establishes that contact with or consumption of a non-kosher animal's carcass renders a person tamei (ritually impure) until evening, requiring them to immerse in a mikveh and wash their garments.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Vayikra 11:40) explains that the verse addresses two distinct cases:

  • Eating the carcass: Even if one consumes only a small amount (k'zayit, the size of an olive), they become tamei and must wash their clothes.
  • Carrying the carcass: The impurity applies even to merely moving or transporting the carcass, emphasizing that physical contact is not required—handling alone suffices to transmit tum'ah.

Halachic Implications (Rambam)

Rambam (Hilchos Tumas Ochalin 4:1) elaborates on the practical halachah:

  • The impurity applies whether the carcass is from a sheretz (creeping animal) or a non-kosher beheimah (larger animal).
  • Washing clothes and immersion in a mikveh are required even if the contact was unintentional (b'shogeg).
  • The phrase "until evening" means the impurity lasts until nightfall, after which the person becomes tahor (ritually pure) again.

Midrashic Insight

The Toras Kohanim (Midrash on Vayikra) connects this law to the broader theme of kedushah (holiness):

  • By abstaining from impurity, Bnei Yisrael distinguish themselves from other nations, aligning with the command "You shall be holy" (Vayikra 11:45).
  • The requirement to wash garments symbolizes the need to "cleanse" one's external behaviors and surroundings after exposure to impurity.

Philosophical Dimension (Sefer HaChinuch)

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 163) explains the deeper purpose:

  • Laws of tum'ah cultivate mindfulness, teaching that spiritual purity requires active effort.
  • Washing clothes serves as a tangible reminder to "purify" one's actions in daily life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 122b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of ritual impurity concerning the carcass of a kosher animal that dies without proper slaughter.
📖 Niddah 51a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the transmission of impurity through carrying or eating the carcass of an animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 11:40 mean?
A: Leviticus 11:40 discusses the laws of ritual impurity (tumah) related to eating or carrying the carcass of an unclean animal. According to Orthodox Jewish interpretation, this verse teaches that anyone who eats or carries the carcass becomes ritually impure and must wash their clothes and wait until evening to become pure again. This is part of the Torah's detailed laws about purity and impurity (taharah and tumah).
Q: Why is washing clothes mentioned in Leviticus 11:40?
A: Washing clothes is a required step for purification after coming into contact with impurity, as explained in traditional Jewish sources like Rashi and the Talmud. The act of washing symbolizes removing the spiritual impurity (tumah) and returning to a state of ritual purity (taharah). This teaches the importance of maintaining spiritual cleanliness in daily life.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 11:40 today?
A: While the Temple is not standing and many purity laws are not practiced the same way today, Leviticus 11:40 teaches the broader principle of being mindful of spiritual and physical cleanliness. The Rambam (Hilchot Tum’at Ochalin) explains that these laws help cultivate discipline and holiness in our actions, reminding us to be conscious of what we consume and how we conduct ourselves.
Q: Why does impurity last until evening in Leviticus 11:40?
A: According to Jewish tradition (as explained in the Talmud, Chulin 122a), the 'evening' (ערב) marks the end of the impurity period because the new day begins at nightfall. This teaches that impurity is temporary, and purification is always possible. The Torah emphasizes that spiritual setbacks are not permanent and that one can always return to a state of purity.
Q: Does Leviticus 11:40 apply to all animals?
A: No, Leviticus 11:40 specifically refers to the carcasses of animals that are already considered non-kosher (as listed earlier in Leviticus 11). The Talmud (Chullin 9b) clarifies that this law applies only to creatures that were never slaughtered properly (nevelah). Kosher animals that were properly slaughtered (shechted) do not convey this type of impurity.