Nazir 50: What Constitutes a Corpse?

If a nazirite comes into contact with a corpse, his/her nazirut is interrupted and s/he must shave and bring offerings.  His/her nazirut must be repeated.  The rabbis are aware that nazirites would be loathe to come into contact with a corpse.  Today's daf looks at what constitutes a corpse.

Here are some bodies that do not count as corpses:

• a miscarried fetus where the limbs have not yet attached to the sinews;
• where less than the majority of the number of bones in the body are present
• where the majority of the structure of bones - the shins, thighs, and spine - is not present
• perhaps where the bones present equal less than a half-kav of matter
• when less than an olive bulk of bones is present
• when less than an olive bulk of liquid is present
• where than liquid has not congealed (for it could be spittle or phlegm and not inner fluid)

The rabbis then consider whether similar rules apply regarding contact with the corpse of an animal.  They also wonder about when a corpse or its liquids no longer impart ritual impurity.  Once an item will no longer be consumed by a dog, it can no longer impart ritual impurity.  

The rabbis also consider the transmission of tamei liquid from one vessel to another.  Pouring does not transfer ritual impurity. Apparently liquid that is more viscous, like honey from Zif and like batter with honey, reverts back to the bowl when poured from above.  It does impart ritual impurity.  

Finally, we learn that dust from a corpse, even that held in the palms of two hands, does not impart ritual impurity.  Nor does melted liquid from a body.  

This daf, though sometimes grotesque, imports significant information for those who consider themselves observant kohanim.  It is imperative that they avoid contact with corpses, or even parts of corpses. But how much of a corpse?  Today's daf can help to reassure kohanim that they can safely access public settings that otherwise might be considered off-limits.