Vayikra 5:2 · unit 2 · Toras Kohanim, Dibbura DeChovah Chapter 13:4

Complete Passuk

א֣וֹ נֶ֗פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּגַּע֮ בְּכׇל־דָּבָ֣ר טָמֵא֒ אוֹ֩ בְנִבְלַ֨ת חַיָּ֜ה טְמֵאָ֗ה א֚וֹ בְּנִבְלַת֙ בְּהֵמָ֣ה טְמֵאָ֔ה א֕וֹ בְּנִבְלַ֖ת שֶׁ֣רֶץ טָמֵ֑א וְנֶעְלַ֣ם מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְה֥וּא טָמֵ֖א וְאָשֵֽׁם׃

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Toras Kohanim (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura DeChovah, Chapter 13:4).

Sefaria — Toras Kohanim (Sifra, Vayikra Dibbura DeChovah, Chapter 13:4)

Core Text — Toras Kohanim · Sifra DeChovah Ch. 13:4

בְּנִבְלַת חַיָּה… — מַה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״טְמֵאָה״? שֶׁיָּכוֹל, אֵין לִי אֶלָּא כֻּלָּהּ; כְּזַיִת מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר ״טְמֵאָה״.

“The carcass of a wild animal…” — why does Scripture say “unclean”? One might think I have only the whole; from where a kezayis? Scripture says “unclean.”

The extra word “temei’ah” is read as a ribbuy that includes even a kezayis of the carcass, not only the whole animal.

What Is Learned: A kezayis of neveilah of an unclean chayah is enough to create the tumah that, with later entry to the Mikdash or eating kodashim be-he’elem, triggers the oleh ve-yored. The verse does not require contact with the entire carcass.