Vayikra 5:17 · unit 2

Parashas Vayikra · Passuk 5:17 · Unit 2 of 7

Complete Passuk

וְאִם־נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תֶחֱטָא וְעָשְׂתָה אַחַת מִכָּל־מִצְוֺת יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא תֵעָשֶׂינָה וְלֹא־יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֺנוֹ׃

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Kerisos.

Core Text
מִכָּל מִצְוֺת — הָיוּ לְפָנָיו שְׁתֵּי חֲתִיכוֹת, אַחַת שֶׁל חֵלֶב וְאַחַת שֶׁל שׁוּמָן, וְאָכַל אַחַת וְאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ אֵיזוֹ — חַיָּב.

“From all the commandments” — if there were two pieces before him, one of chelev and one of permitted fat, and he ate one and does not know which — he is liable.

In the sugya: Asham talui arises only when there is a defined pair of possibilities (forbidden and permitted) and the person does not know which one he performed. A single object whose status is inherently doubtful does not generate the obligation.

Type of Learning

Diyuk of “achat mi-kol” — one from among a defined pair.

What Is Learned

Asham talui requires a defined pair of possibilities, not an inherently doubtful single object. When two pieces stand before a person — one forbidden, one permitted — and he eats one without knowing which, the liability is generated. A solitary piece of uncertain status does not trigger the same obligation.