Derasha 63 on Vayikra 10:10

TT #63 · Parshas Shemini · Aliyah 3 · Passuk 10

The Complete Passuk

וּֽלֲהַבְדִּ֔יל בֵּ֥ין הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ וּבֵ֣ין הַחֹ֑ל וּבֵ֥ין הַטָּמֵ֖א וּבֵ֥ין הַטָּהֽוֹר:

Chabad.org — Vayikra Chapter 10 with Rashi

Source Citation

Shevuot 18b.

E-Daf.com — Shevuot 18b (Tsurras Hadaf)

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
וּלְהַבְדִּיל. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אוֹמֵר, כָּל הַפּוֹרֵשׁ מֵאִשְׁתּוֹ סָמוּךְ לְוֶסְתָּהּ הֲוָיִין לֵיהּ בָּנִים רְאוּיִין לְהוֹרָאָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וּלְהַבְדִּיל וּלְהוֹרוֹת.

English: “And to distinguish.” Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi teaches that one who separates from his wife near the onset of her menstrual period will have children fit for teaching, based on the connection between “to distinguish” and “to teach.”

Type of Learning

Textual linkage — the teaching is derived from the wording or structure of the verse.

What Is Learned

The verse is read as rewarding careful separation near the onset of menstruation with children fit to teach.