Articles [Special Issue: Religion and Physical Contact]
Uncleanness of Objects and Contour According to the Mishnah Sedarim Tohoroth
2022 Volume 96 Issue 2 Pages 79-102
Details
2022 Volume 96 Issue 2 Pages 79-102
Judaism is filled with the concept of contact, which is redefined only by “uncleanness.” The purpose of this paper is to understand the Jewish viewpoint of the world, by comprehending the rabbinic concept of uncleanness, mainly in the Mishnah Sedarim Tohoroth. Past literature on this issue clarifies the lack of focus on Levitical uncleanness, even in Jewish studies. This is due to the prevailing medieval assumption that the destruction of the second Temple rendered Levitical laws as outdated and that such laws would wipe out legalistic images of Judaism.
We can draw the following preliminary conclusions:
1. The law of cleanliness and dirt covers aspects of food, shelter, and clothing in ordinary life. Mishnaic Law deals with humans and materials, equally.
2. Unlike the narratives, we find no reference to moralistic sin in the Mishnaic description of uncleanness for the ailing.
3. Uncleanness is defined in terms of objects with clear surfaces. Contour not only refers to physical shape, but also to its usages and purpose. Liquid and skin diseases invading contour can be considered dirty.
These remarks indicate Rabbinic Judaism's sensitivity towards the surface or contour of objects. Objects with their own clean contour should make contact without invasion.
