[Avodah] Why is the tooth different from all other body parts?

[Elazar M. Teitz]

     In discussing tumas meis, the question was asked:

<The exceptions to this rule are the teeth, hair and fingernails and toenails that have become detached from the corpse. Does anyone know WHY the detached tooth doesn't cause impurity?

     It's a g'mara in Niddah (55a). Body parts are compared to bone. Just as bones are present from birth and do not regenerate (nivra imo, v'ein giz'o machalif), so too any body part must have both characteristics to be m'tamei..  Hair and nails regenerate, while teeth are not present at birth.  The g'mara discusses skin and flesh, as regards regeneration.

     Incidentally, the din itself, which is a mishna in the third perek of Oholos, is quoted in the daf yomi of last Shabbos (Nazir 51a), and the peirush HaRosh there quotes the reasons from the g'mara in Niddah.

EMT


 
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