Derasha 223 on Vayikra 11:38

TT #223 · Parshas Shemini · Aliyah 7 · Passuk 38

The Complete Passuk

וְכִי יֻתַּן־מַיִם עַל־זֶרַע וְנָפַל מִנִּבְלָתָם עָלָיו טָמֵא הוּא לָכֶם:

Chabad.org — Vayikra Chapter 11 with Rashi

English: “It is impure”: the rule applies even when seed is placed upon water, not only when water is placed upon seed.

Source Citation

Toras Kohanim.

Wikisource — Sifra, Shemini, Chapter 8

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
טָמֵא הוּא. תַּנְיָא, אֵין לִי אֶלָּא בִּזְמַן שֶׁנּוֹתֵן מַיִם עַל גַּבֵּי זֶרַע, נָתַן זֶרַע עַל גַּבֵּי מַיִם מִנַּיִן, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר טָמֵא הוּא מִכָּל מָקוֹם.

Type of Learning

Textual inclusion — The Chazal derives the stated rule from the wording and structure of the verse.

What Is Learned

The rule applies in either direction of seed and water contact.