Nazir

But on whose [view is this question asked]?  Shall I say on the Rabbis' view? It is obvious that the whole period becomes void! Whilst on R. Eliezer's view any [defilement contracted] after fulfilment renders only seven days void? — The reply is [that R. Eliezer said] this of one who actually becomes unclean after fulfilment, whereas here [the defilement of the depth] occurred before the fulfilment.  [Do we then say that the whole is rendered void] or is this case different since discovery did not come until after fulfilment? — The same passage [answers this question too]. For it says: EITHER [TYPE OF DEFILEMENT] RENDERS IT VOID, making no distinction between them. Our Rabbis taught: If a man finds a corpse lying across the road,  he becomes unclean in respect of terumah,  but remains clean in respect of the nazirite-vow and celebrating the passover.  This is only true if there was no room for him to pass [without actually walking over the corpse], but if there was room for him to pass, he remains clean even in respect of terumah.  [Further], it is only true  if [the corpse] was found whole, but if it was found [with its limbs] broken or dislocated, even though there was no room to pass  we conceive that he may perhaps have passed between the pieces.  If, however, [the corpse] was in a grave, then, even if [its limbs were] broken or dislocated, he becomes unclean because the grave unites it. [Further,] we say this  only of one who was walking on foot, but if he was carrying a load or riding, he becomes unclean,  because it is possible for one walking on foot to avoid either touching [the corpse] or making it vibrate,  or overshadowing it, but it is impossible for one carrying a load or riding to avoid either touching it or making it vibrate or overshadowing it. [Further,] this ruling  applies only to a 'defilement of the depth', but if it was a known [source of] defilement, all three become unclean. A defilement of the depth is one which is not known to anyone [living even] in any part of the world. If, however, someone [living even] at the other end of the world knows about it. It is not [regarded as] a defilement of the depth.  If [the corpse] was hidden in straw or in pebbles, it counts as a defilement of the depth,  [but if] in the sea or by darkness or in a cleft of the rocks, this does not count as a defilement of the depth.  'Defilement of the depth' was held to apply only in the case of a corpse.  [THE LAW REGARDING DEFILEMENT OF THE DEPTH IS] AS FOLLOWS. IF HE GOES DOWN: A [dead] reptile when floating, does not defile.  For it has been taught: If there is a doubt concerning a [source of defilement] floating in a vessel or on the earth,  it is treated as clean. R. Simeon said that in a vessel [the doubtful object] is treated as unclean, whilst on the earth it is treated as clean.