Nazir 66: Ending on Impurities of Semen, Samuel as Nazirite, Shalom Rav

Before introducing the final Mishna of Masechet Nazir, we listen to the rabbis' conversation regarding the impurity of a zav's semen.  The rabbis understand that while semen is tamei, a zav's discharge carries a particular form of tumah.  This tumah is transferred through 'carrying' if a zav's seminal emission occurs within a short time period following his discharge.    

The rabbis discuss this at some length.  This is one of the only times learning Talmud that I have understood the rabbis' hesitance to share Talmudic learning with women.  Not because I am uncomfortable with the notion of semen as tamei, but because of the continual examination of the discharge that might contaminate one's semen.  Enough to turn my stomach, if only a bit.

The final Mishna of Nazir reminds us that both Samson and the judge Samuel were subject to the declaration that a mora would not touch their heads.  Mora might mean razor.  Then again, it might mean 'fear of flesh and blood'. And so both men may have allowed their hair to grow long, never allowing a razor to touch them and becoming nazirites.  Or was Samuel not to be afraid of people in some context?  

The very end of our Masechet explores two ideas.  The first is the value of responding "amen" to a blessing.  Is that even more important than actually reciting the blessing itself?  There is value to listening without speaking; there is value in the act of affirmation.  The rabbis conclude that saying 'amen' is more important, but that the person reciting the blessing will be rewarded first in the world to come.  

The second idea is what Rabbi Elazar said that Rabbi Chanina said: Torah scholars increase peace in the world, for it is said "and all of your banayich, children, shall be taught of the Lord, and your children will have great peace" (Isaiah 54:13).  Instead of reading Isaiah's word banayich, children, read it as bonayich, builders.  We can take this to mean that Torah scholars build peace for the future generations.

What a lovely note upon which we end our masechet.  Perhaps self-serving, but lovely.