Beyond Fractures: How Congenital Limb Flaws Disqualify

The Gemara examines the connective word in the Torah's list of blemishes to include structural and congenital leg deformities alongside physical breaks.

א֣וֹ אִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ שֶׁ֣בֶר רָ֑גֶל א֖וֹ שֶׁ֥בֶר יָֽד׃

no man who has a broken leg or a broken arm; (Leviticus 21:19)

The Plain Meaning of Broken Limbs

In Parashat Emor, the Torah enumerates physical blemishes that disqualify a kohen (priest) from performing the sacred sacrificial service in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). Among these, the verse identifies anyone with a fracture in his leg or hand.

At the level of פְּשָׁט (plain meaning), this prohibition concerns visible physical trauma. Sforno explains that broken limbs represent blemishes caused by factors external to the body, rather than natural imperfections. Ralbag adds that the Torah specifies hands and feet to teach that a fracture only disqualifies when present on exposed, visible limbs.

א֣וֹ אִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ שֶׁ֣בֶר רָ֑גֶל א֖וֹ שֶׁ֥בֶר יָֽד׃

no man who has a broken leg or a broken arm; (Leviticus 21:19)

The Sages' Query on Congenital Deformities

The literal term שֶׁבֶר (shever) implies an acquired bone fracture. The Gemara asks how we know that congenital, unbroken abnormalities of the leg also render a priest unfit for Temple service.

Specifically, the baraita questions the status of a קִישָׁן (kishan), an עִיקֵּל (ikkel), and a קִילְבָּן (kilvan). Rashi explains that a kishan is someone who knocks his ankles together while walking, while the ikkel and kilvan refer to severe foot curvatures and protruding toes. None of these conditions involve an actual fracture, prompting the Gemara to locate their scriptural source.

שֶׁבֶר רָגֶל — אֵין לִי אֶלָּא שֶׁבֶר רֶגֶל, מִנַּיִן לְרַבּוֹת הַקִּישָׁן וְהָעִיקֵּל וְהַקִּילְבָּן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אוֹ שֶׁבֶר רָגֶל״.

From the verse: 'Broken-footed,' I have derived only that a broken leg disqualifies. From where do I derive to include the kishan, the ikkel, and the kilvan? The verse states: 'Or broken-footed.' (Bekhorot 45a:4)

The Expansive Power of "Or"

The Gemara resolves the question by focusing closely on the seemingly superfluous conjunction אוֹ (o, "or") preceding the phrase "broken leg". By stating "or broken-footed" rather than simply "broken-footed," the verse expands its scope beyond literal breaks.

Malbim explains that the conjunction indicates an extension to all structural defects within that anatomical category. The overarching verse speaks of "a man in whom there is a defect," proving that the Torah cares about the abnormal state of the limb, regardless of whether it stemmed from traumatic fracture or birth.

וממלת "או" שמורה על חלוקה המינית מבואר שכל מין שבר, אף שנשבר אצבעו.

And from the word 'or', which indicates a categorical division, it is clear that any type of fracture is included, even a broken toe. (Malbim on Leviticus, Emor 50:1)

Extending the Derashah to the Hands

The Gemara applies this very same textual mechanism to the latter half of the verse, which reads "or broken-handed". Just as the first "or" broadened leg blemishes, the second "or" extends hand disqualifications beyond broken bones.

The baraita derives from "or broken-handed" that a priest whose fingers are קְלוּטוֹת (kelutot, webbed or attached) above the middle joint and were left uncut is disqualified. The redundant word teaches that unsevered joined digits compromise the integrity of the hand just as severely as a fracture does.

The Resulting Halacha

The halachic ruling derived from this reading establishes that priestly blemishes on the extremities are not restricted to traumatic fractures. Any significant deformity that impairs the natural alignment, structure, or function of the legs or hands disqualifies a priest from the service.

Consequently, knock-kneed gaits, misshapen ankles, flat goose-like feet, and fused digits are halakhically equivalent to broken bones. The word "or" transforms a specific historical injury into a comprehensive anatomical standard for the sanctuary.

The extra connective word 'or' in Leviticus 21:19 expands the disqualification of broken limbs to encompass all congenital structural deformities of the hands and feet.

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