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Leviticus 15:11 - Impurity spreads through touch.

Leviticus 15:11 - ויקרא 15:11

Hebrew Text

וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִגַּע־בּוֹ הַזָּב וְיָדָיו לֹא־שָׁטַף בַּמָּיִם וְכִבֶּס בְּגָדָיו וְרָחַץ בַּמַּיִם וְטָמֵא עַד־הָעָרֶב׃

English Translation

And whomever he touches that has the issue, and has not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening.

Transliteration

Vechol asher yiga-bo hazav veyadav lo-shataf bamayim vechibes begadav verachatz bamayim vetame ad-haarev.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִגַּע־בּוֹ֙ הַזָּ֔ב וְיָדָ֖יו לֹא־שָׁטַ֣ף בַּמָּ֑יִם וְכִבֶּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
וְכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִגַּע־בּוֹ֙ הַזָּ֔ב וְיָדָ֖יו לֹא־שָׁטַ֣ף בַּמָּ֑יִם וְכִבֶּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 15:11) is part of the Torah's discussion of the laws of zav, a man who experiences an abnormal seminal discharge, rendering him ritually impure (tamei). The verse details the transmission of impurity to others through touch and the required purification process.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 15:11) clarifies that the phrase "and has not rinsed his hands in water" refers to the zav himself—meaning if the zav did not wash his hands before touching another person or object, the person or object he touches becomes impure. Rashi emphasizes that this teaches the importance of cleanliness in preventing the spread of ritual impurity.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Hilchot Metamei Mishkav uMoshav (5:9), the Rambam codifies this law, stating that if a zav touches someone without having first washed his hands, the person touched must immerse in a mikveh and wait until evening to regain purity. The Rambam also notes that this applies whether the zav touched the person directly or indirectly (e.g., through an object).

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Torat Kohanim, Metzora 5) connects this verse to broader themes of spiritual and physical purity. It teaches that the requirement to wash hands symbolizes the need for moral and ethical cleanliness, as impurity often stems from improper behavior. The Midrash underscores that just as water purifies the body, repentance (teshuvah) purifies the soul.

Practical Implications in Halacha

  • The zav's impurity is transferable through touch, but only if he has not washed his hands first.
  • The person who becomes impure must wash their clothes, immerse in water, and wait until evening to regain purity.
  • This law highlights the Torah's emphasis on hygiene and the prevention of impurity spreading in the camp.

Symbolic Meaning

The Sforno (Vayikra 15:11) suggests that the requirement to wash hands and clothes represents the removal of external influences that may lead to spiritual contamination. The evening (erev) symbolizes a transition from impurity back to purity, reflecting the cyclical nature of repentance and renewal.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 15:11 mean?
A: Leviticus 15:11 discusses the laws of ritual impurity (tum'ah) related to a person with a bodily discharge (zav). If such a person touches someone else without first washing their hands, the person who was touched must wash their clothes, immerse in a mikveh (ritual bath), and remains impure until evening. This teaches the importance of purity in Jewish law, especially in relation to the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Beit Hamikdash (Temple). Rashi explains that this emphasizes how impurity can be transferred through touch.
Q: Why is washing hands mentioned in Leviticus 15:11?
A: The verse specifies that if the zav (person with a discharge) did not rinse his hands in water before touching someone, the person touched becomes impure. The Talmud (Chullin 106a) discusses the importance of washing hands to prevent the spread of impurity. Rambam (Hilchot Mikvaot 11:1) also explains that washing is a key step in maintaining ritual purity. This concept later evolved into the Jewish practice of netilat yadayim (handwashing) for various mitzvot.
Q: How does Leviticus 15:11 apply today?
A: While the laws of ritual purity related to zav and the Temple are not fully applicable today without the Beit Hamikdash, the principles of hygiene and spiritual cleanliness remain important. The idea of washing to prevent impurity influenced later Jewish practices like washing hands before eating bread (netilat yadayim) and after waking up (negel vasser). The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 15:2) also teaches that these laws remind us to be mindful of physical and spiritual cleanliness in daily life.
Q: What does 'unclean until evening' mean in Leviticus 15:11?
A: The phrase 'unclean until evening' means that the person who was touched by the zav (without the zav washing hands) remains in a state of ritual impurity until nightfall (when the next Jewish day begins). According to Rashi and Rambam, this person could not enter holy spaces or eat sanctified foods until after immersing in a mikveh and waiting until evening. The Talmud (Berachot 2a) explains that 'evening' here refers to the appearance of stars (tzeit hakochavim).