Derasha 245 on Vayikra 11:42

TT #245 · Parshas Shemini · Aliyah 7 · Passuk 42

The Complete Passuk

כֹּל הוֹלֵךְ עַל־גָּחוֹן וְכֹל הוֹלֵךְ עַל־אַרְבַּע עַד כָּל־מַרְבֵּה רַגְלַיִם לְכָל־הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל־הָאָרֶץ לֹא תֹאכְלוּם כִּי־שֶׁקֶץ הֵם:

Chabad.org — Vayikra Chapter 11 with Rashi

English: “Belly”: the letter vav in the word גחון is the subject of a traditional textual observation.

Source Citation

Kiddushin 30a.

E-Daf.com — Kiddushin 30a (Tsurras Hadaf)

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
גָּחוֹן. ו׳ דְּגָחוֹן.

Type of Learning

Textual observation — The Chazal applies the verse’s wording and structure to establish the stated teaching.

What Is Learned

The enlarged vav is noted as the Torah's traditional letter midpoint.