Shmini 5780

Question: Why is drinking wine equated with issues of טומאה וטהרה?

Approach: The next few chapters all deal with issues of situations whereby a person is prevented to enter the מקדש and the various rules associated with those items (e.g. touching נבלות ושרצים, יולדת, צרעת, זב), and these are seemingly brought here after having discussed the situations which prevent a כהן from entering the מקדש. First the rules surrounding not entering with ripped clothes or without having had a haircut are referenced due to the demise of נדב ואביהוא, and so the rules regarding being drunk are then brought, and finally the rules for the rest of the nation expounded.

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