Pesachim

To that extent1 a zab too is certainly defiled through an accident, in accordance with R. Huna. For R. Huna said: The first discharge2 of a zab defiles [when it is caused] by an accident.3 What is the greater stringency of a leper over a zab? Because he requires peri'ah4 and rending [of garments], and he is forbidden sexual intercourse.5 On the contrary, a zab is more stringent, because he defiles couch and seat,6 and he defiles earthen vessels by hesset?7 — Scripture saith, [instead of] ‘a leper’, ‘and every [kol] leper’8 to include a ba'al keri;9 and a leper is more stringent than a ba'al keri, and what is his greater stringency? As we have stated.10 On the contrary, a ba'al keri is more stringent, because he defiles by the smallest quantity [of semen]?11 — He agrees with R. Nathan. For it was taught, R. Nathan said on the authority of R. Ishmael: A zab requires [a discharge of matter] sufficient for the closing of the orifice of the membrum, but the Sages did not concede this to him. And he holds that a ba'al keri is assimilated to a zab.12 What is the purpose of ‘and every [kol] leper’?13 — Since ‘every one [kol] that hath an issue’ is written, ‘every [kol] leper’ too is written.14 Now [as for] R. Judah. [surely] R. Simeon says well?15 — He requires that16 for what was taught; R. Eliezer said: You might days, but only until evening, while a reptile too defiles until evening only. think, if zabin and lepers forced their way through and entered the Temple Court at a Passover sacrifice which came in uncleanness,17 — you might think that they are culpable; therefore it is stated, [‘Command the children of Israel,] that they send out of the camp every leper’, and every one that hath an issue [zab], and whosoever is unclean by the dead’: when those who are unclean by the dead are sent out, zabin and lepers are sent out; when those who are unclean by the dead are not sent out, zabin and lepers are not sent out. The Master said: ‘"And every [kol] one that hath an issue" is to include a ba'al keri’. This supports R. Johanan. For R. Johanan said: The cellars [under the Temple] were not consecrated; and a ba'al keri is sent without the two camps.18 An objection is raised: A ba'al keri is like [a person defiled through] contact with a reptile. Surely that means in respect of their camp?19 No: [it means] in respect of their uncleanness.20 [You say] ‘In respect of their uncleanness!’ [Surely] uncleanness until evening is written in connection with the one, and uncleanness until evening is written in connection with the other?21 Hence it must surely mean in respect of their camp! — No: after all [it means] in respect of their uncleanness, and he informs us this: that a ba'al keri is like [a person defiled through] the contact of the reptile: just as the contact of a reptile defiles [even] accidentally, so is a ba'al keri defiled [when the semen is discharged] accidentally.22 An objection is raised: that if a man touches it he in turn becomes so unclean as to defile his garments, even if they did not touch it. But a leper, though he too defiles couch and seat, the degree of uncleanness is less, and the man who touches it becomes unclean only in so far that he in turn defiles food and drink, but not his garments, nor can he defile any other utensils by touch. — Rashi. But Maim. and others omit this passage, whence it appears that they do not accept this distinction; v. also Tosaf. a.l. s.v. ifa. one end of a rickety bench and he sits down on the other, causing it to move upwards, as on a see-saw. contrary etc. (ba'al keri) — Lev. XV, 32. Thus a ba'al keri too requires a certain minimum; hence a leper is more stringent, and therefore a leper is mentioned in order to assign a third camp to him. heard these two teachings from his master (Rashi). so is a ba'al keri.