Commentary for Niddah 109:58
במגע לא איצטריך קרא דלא גרע משכבת זרע
The case of the scapegoat proves the contrary, since it causes uncleanness to others<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The man who carries it away (cf. Lev. XVI, 26). ');"><sup>48</sup></span> while it is itself clean. You also should not, therefore, be surprised in this case<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Zibah. ');"><sup>49</sup></span> where, though the issue carries uncleanness to others,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Sc. the zab. ');"><sup>46</sup></span> it is itself<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Zibah. ');"><sup>49</sup></span> clean. Hence it was specifically stated, 'His issue is unclean'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lev. XV, 2. ');"><sup>43</sup></span> teaching thereby that the issue is unclean. But might it not be suggested that this<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The conveyance of uncleanness by an issue. ');"><sup>50</sup></span> applies only to contact [uncleanness] but not to carriage, this being a case similar to that of a dead creeping thing?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Which also conveys uncleanness by means of contact but not by carriage. ');"><sup>51</sup></span> — R. Bibi b. Abaye replied: There was no need for a Scriptural text as far as contact is concerned, since it<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The conveyance of uncleanness by an issue. ');"><sup>50</sup></span> is not inferior<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In its uncleanness. ');"><sup>52</sup></span> to semen,
Explore commentary for Niddah 109:58. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.