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Leviticus 7:20 - Impure soul severed from community

Leviticus 7:20 - ויקרא 7:20

Hebrew Text

וְהַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאכַל בָּשָׂר מִזֶּבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים אֲשֶׁר לַיהוָה וְטֻמְאָתוֹ עָלָיו וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעַמֶּיהָ׃

English Translation

But the person that eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain to the Lord, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Transliteration

Ve'hanefesh asher tochal basar mizevach hashelamim asher la'Adonai vetumato alav venichreta hanefesh hahi me'ameha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַנֶּ֜פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאכַ֣ל בָּשָׂ֗ר מִזֶּ֤בַח הַשְּׁלָמִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַיהֹוָ֔ה וְטֻמְאָת֖וֹ עָלָ֑יו וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵעַמֶּֽיהָ׃
וְהַנֶּ֜פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאכַ֣ל בָּשָׂ֗ר מִזֶּ֤בַח הַשְּׁלָמִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַיהֹוָ֔ה וְטֻמְאָת֖וֹ עָלָ֑יו וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵעַמֶּֽיהָ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Verse Context in Vayikra (Leviticus)

This verse appears in Vayikra 7:20, within the section detailing the laws of zevach shelamim (peace offerings). The Torah emphasizes the severe consequence of partaking in sacrificial meat while in a state of ritual impurity (tum'ah). The penalty of karet (being "cut off" from one's people) underscores the gravity of violating this prohibition.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Vayikra 7:20) explains that the phrase "having his uncleanness upon him" refers to a person who is ritually impure (tamei) due to contact with a corpse, a zav, or other sources of tum'ah. He notes that the term "nefesh" (soul) is used to teach that the prohibition applies even if only a small amount of sacrificial meat is consumed. Rashi further clarifies that karet is a Divine punishment, either implying premature death or the loss of one's share in the World to Come.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot 10:1), the Rambam codifies this law, stating that one who eats sacrificial meat while tamei violates a negative commandment. He emphasizes that this applies specifically to kodshim (sacred offerings) and not to ordinary meat. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 8:1) also includes intentional violation of this law among the sins that incur karet unless one repents.

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

  • The Talmud (Yoma 73a) discusses the severity of karet, linking it to a rupture in one's spiritual connection with Hashem and the Jewish people.
  • The Midrash Sifra (Shemini, Mechilta d'Miluim 22) highlights that this law teaches the importance of maintaining purity when engaging with sacred matters, as impurity distances a person from holiness.
  • Torat Kohanim elaborates that the phrase "which pertain to the Lord" specifies that this prohibition applies only to sacrifices offered in the Beit HaMikdash, not to secular meals.

Concept of Karet

The punishment of karet is reserved for severe transgressions, particularly those involving the misuse of sanctity. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 143) explains that eating sacrificial meat in a state of impurity demonstrates a lack of reverence for the Divine presence (Shechinah), which dwells among Bnei Yisrael. The severity of karet reflects the Torah's demand for heightened sanctity in matters related to the Beit HaMikdash and its service.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Zevachim 100b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the consumption of sacrificial meat while in a state of ritual impurity.
📖 Keritot 2a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the penalties for eating sacrificial meat while impure, particularly focusing on the concept of being 'cut off' from one's people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean to be 'cut off from one's people' in Leviticus 7:20?
A: According to traditional Jewish sources like Rashi and the Talmud (Keritot 1:1), being 'cut off' (כרת) refers to a severe spiritual punishment, which can mean either premature death or being spiritually separated from the Jewish people in the World to Come. This happens when someone intentionally violates certain Torah commandments, such as eating sacrificial meat while ritually impure.
Q: Why is eating sacrificial meat while impure such a serious offense?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Mechusarei Kaparah 1:1) explains that sacrifices are holy and require proper spiritual preparation. Eating them while impure shows disrespect for kedushah (holiness) and the Mishkan/Temple service. The Talmud (Pesachim 67a) teaches that maintaining purity laws preserves the sanctity of holy things and places.
Q: Do the laws in Leviticus 7:20 still apply today?
A: While we currently lack the Temple and sacrifices, the principle of respecting kedushah remains. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 7:7) notes that we must still treat holy matters with reverence. Additionally, the Talmud (Yoma 42b) derives general purity principles from these verses that influence halachic practice even today.
Q: What are 'peace offerings' mentioned in this verse?
A: Peace offerings (זבח שלמים) were voluntary sacrifices described in Leviticus 3 and 7. Rashi explains they were called 'peace' offerings because they brought peace to the world. Unlike other sacrifices, most of the meat could be eaten by the donor (after giving portions to the kohen), making purity especially relevant for consumption.
Q: How does this verse connect to modern Jewish practice?
A: The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 143) derives from this verse the importance of maintaining spiritual purity when engaging with holy matters. Today, this manifests in practices like washing hands before eating bread (netilat yadayim), which the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 158:1) connects to Temple-era purity standards.