Leviticus 17

Sugya Map

• Issue: The prohibition of shochtei chutz (slaughtering outside the Mishkan) and the general issur dam (prohibition of consuming blood).
• Nafka Mina(s): Who is liable for shochtei chutz (Kohanim, gerim); the halachic function of the phrase "זה הדבר" (v.2).
• Primary Sources: Leviticus 17:3-14; Sifrei on Vayikra 17; Bavli Nedarim 78a; Bavli Bava Batra 120a, 121a.

Text Snapshot

Leviticus 17:3: "אִישׁ אִישׁ מִבֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁחַט שׁוֹר אוֹ כֶשֶׂב אוֹ עֵז בַּמַּחֲנֶה אוֹ מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה וְאֶל פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לֹא הֱבִיאוֹ לְהַקְרִיב קָרְבָּן לַה' לִפְנֵי מִשְׁכַּן ה' דָּם יֵחָשֵׁב לָאִישׁ הַהוּא דָּם שָׁפַךְ וְנִכְרַת הָאִישׁ הַהוּא מִקֶּרֶב עַמּוֹ."

• Dikduk/Leshon Nuance: Crucial are v.2's "זה הדבר אשר צוה ה'" and v.3's "איש איש מבית ישראל" (its scope extended to gerim, v.8,10,12).

Readings

Malbim: "זה הדבר" and Gezeirah Shava

Malbim posits "זה הדבר" typically denotes a temporary command (Malbim, Acharei Mot 88:1). Its use for shochtei chutz (a doros mitzvah, v.7) forces a gezeirah shava to nedarim (Numbers 30:2-3). This establishes sh'eilat chacham for hekdesh (Bava Batra 120a) and that gimmel hedyotot (three laymen) can annul vows (Nedarim 78a). He adds "דבר אל אהרן ובניו" teaches Kohanim are also liable for shochtei chutz (Malbim, Acharei Mot 86:1).

Shadal: Ethical Basis of Issur Dam

Shadal offers an ethical ta'am for issur dam beyond kavod shamayim: "אכזריות ומקנה תכונה רעה בנפש" (cruelty, instilling a bad trait). This explains blood's prohibition even from chaya (wild animals), unlike chelev (Shadal, Leviticus 17:1:1).

Friction

Kushya: How does "זה הדבר" (v.2), which Malbim demonstrates indicates a temporary command, introduce shochtei chutz, explicitly designated "חֻקַּת עוֹלָם" (v.7)? Terutz: Malbim resolves this: the anomaly compels a gezeirah shava to Nedarim, deriving Torah Sheb'al Peh laws like sh'eilat chacham for hekdesh and gimmel hedyotot for hatarat nedarim (Malbim, Acharei Mot 87:1).

Intertext

• Numbers 30:2-3: "זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה'" (regarding vows).
• Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah 228: Details the halachot of hatarat nedarim.

Psak/Practice

Malbim's linguistic precision on "זה הדבר" provides the gezeirah shava underpinning hatarat nedarim and sh'eilat chacham for hekdesh, showcasing Torah Sheb'al Peh's depth. Shadal's ethical ta'am for issur dam highlights kashrut's character-forming role.

Takeaway

Torah Sheb'al Peh (Malbim) reveals profound halachic principles from textual nuances. Issur dam (Shadal) embodies an ethical imperative against cruelty.