Overview
Leviticus 15 deals with the laws concerning bodily discharges, covering both normal and abnormal emissions from the body. The chapter includes:
Male Discharges: The chapter begins with regulations regarding a man's discharge, whether from an illness or a seminal emission. In both cases, the man is considered ceremonially unclean, and specific cleansing rituals are prescribed, including washing and waiting periods.
Female Menstruation: Instructions are provided for a woman's menstrual flow. During her period, she is deemed unclean, and anyone or anything she touches becomes unclean. The chapter outlines procedures for her purification after the period ends.
Abnormal Female Discharges: Similar to males, any abnormal discharge from a woman renders her and anything she contacts unclean. Rituals for her cleansing are also described, involving a waiting period and specific sacrifices.
Impact on Others: The chapter details how these discharges affect the cleanliness of others, including guidelines for washing and handling contaminated objects. Physical contact with an unclean person requires washing and a period of uncleanliness until evening.
Purification Sacrifices: At the end of the waiting period for both men and women, specific offerings (usually two doves or two young pigeons) are to be brought to the priest, who makes atonement for them.
Leviticus 15 reflects the Israelite understanding of purity and its significance in their relationship with God. The regulations emphasize the need for the community to maintain ritual cleanliness, not only in their worship practices but in everyday life. The chapter highlights the correlation under the Mosaic law between physical health, spiritual purity, and communal harmony.