Derasha 125 on Vayikra 11:11

TT #125 · Parshas Shemini · Aliyah 6 · Passuk 11

The Complete Passuk

וְשֶׁקֶץ יִהְיוּ לָכֶם מִבְּשָׂרָם לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ וְאֶת־נִבְלָתָם תְּשַׁקֵּצוּ:

Chabad.org — Vayikra Chapter 11 with Rashi

English: Everything in the water that has no fins and scales shall be an abomination for you.

Source Citation

Sifra (Toras Kohanim), Shemini, Section 3.

Sefaria — Sifra, Shemini, Section 3

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text

וְשֶׁקֶץ יִהְיוּ לָכֶם. יָכוֹל יְהוּ מְטַמְּאִין בְּמַגָּע וּבְמַשָּׂא? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר לָכֶם.

Type of Learning

Textual qualification — “For you” limits the rule so that these creatures are not treated as a general source of ritual impurity through touch or carrying.

What Is Learned

The note distinguishes the verse's designation of these creatures as a detestable food from the separate rules of ritual impurity.