daf bit: Nazir 49

[cellio]

If a nazarite becomes ritually impure, he must shave, wait to become ritually pure, and start over. What are the things that can make him ritually impure? The mishna says contact with a corpse or parts (or derivatives) thereof. What is contact? Touching, being under the same roof as, or being above or below a corpse (without an intervening roof). (49b)

This list has a lot in common with contact forbidden to kohanim. I don't know if that's just a similarity or if there is some causal link; I could imagine seeing priests as being akin to nazarites in that they are dedicated to ritual service, though most are not actual nazarites. (The bit about being above a body without a roof intervening is why some kohanim will not fly over graveyards. I have no idea if floors on multi-story buildings count as roofs; does a kohein have to worry about the apartment below his?)

Comments

Re: Tumah 101

[zevabe.livejournal.com]

A non-Jewish corpse does not convey tumah through method 3. I believe it also does not convey tumah through carrying. However, touching a non-Jewish corpse will convey tumah. This is problematic for kohanim wishing to be doctors, as touching a corpse is almost inevitable in first year anatomy courses.

Corpses to Israel for burial:
Additionally, being on the plane taking the corpse would be similarly problematic, depending on how connected the passenger cabin is to the luggage compartment.