Friday 15 December 2017

Shevuot 16: Shortest Path Out of the Temple, Withdrawal

The rabbis continue to discuss the possibility that one who realizes that he is ritually impure might delay before leaving the Temple.  The rabbis ask questions about whether or not the transgressor is punished with lashes in different circumstances.  One of those examples: one who suspended himself in the air above the azarah.  Just in case we were wondering about whether or not this deliberation was theoretical.

One who realizes that he is tamei must leave by the shortest path out.  What if he walked slowly - heel to toe - on that shortest path?  What if he just walked slowly?  Is he liable or not?  What if a person enters the Talmud abnormally?  

Finally the rabbis discuss transgression of the laws surrounding a woman who is ritually impure, in a state of nidda.  If a man, while in the act of intercourse, realizes that he might be ritually impure as well, is withdrawing enough to avert the punishment assigned?  Withdrawal is pleasurable, too.  He should have known the laws and avoided intercourse, even if it was before his wife's time of being nidda.  The rabbis compare these transgressions to others.  The punishments are used as a guide toward determine these punishments.  

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