Reeh 12:16 · unit 1

TT #61 · Parashas Reeh · First Aliyah · Passuk 12:16

The Complete Passuk

רַ֥ק הַדָּ֖ם לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֑לוּ עַל־הָאָ֥רֶץ תִּשְׁפְּכֶ֖נּוּ כַּמָּֽיִם׃

Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.

Chabad.org — 12:16

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei / Keritot.

Sefaria — Sifrei Devarim

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text
תִּשְׁפְּכֶנּוּ כַּמַּיִם – מִנַּיִן לְדָם שֶׁמֻּתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר לֹא תֹאכְלֶנּוּ עַל הָאָרֶץ תִּשְׁפְּכֶנּוּ כַּמַּיִם, מָה מַיִם מֻתָּרִין בַּהֲנָאָה אַף דָּם מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה.

English: “You shall pour it out like water” — From where do we know that blood is permitted for benefit? The verse states “you shall not eat it; on the earth you shall pour it out like water.” Just as water is permitted for benefit, so blood is permitted for benefit.

On the daf / in context: The comparison to water establishes that while blood may not be eaten, it may be used for other forms of benefit.

Type of Learning

Derash on the verse (Sifrei) — permitting benefit from blood.

What Is Learned

Blood is forbidden only for consumption; ordinary benefit from blood is permitted.