Leviticus 15:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us now shift our focus from physical ailments to the workings of the mind. The mind can become tainted, engaged in unworthy pursuits, failing to direct its energy toward what is genuinely necessary, which leads to a lack of true fruitfulness; instead, it relentlessly seeks the unjust and is drawn irresistibly toward disgraceful actions.

Did the Apostle Paul not remind us that humanity is “created ... for good works?” (Eph. 2:10). Indeed, he did, which implies that individuals have been endowed with a nature oriented towards virtuous endeavors. Is it not true that mankind possesses the capacity for wisdom and knowledge? It could easily perform acts of prudence and valor, along with justice, if it chose to align itself with its divine purpose and adhere to the laws of God.

Yet, if someone disregards this calling and instead becomes foolish and lacking in compassion—misdirecting desires away from what leads to truth, opting instead to pursue improper paths and foster the collapse of a righteous understanding of God—would it not be appropriate to characterize such a person as engaging in a mental outpouring akin to squandering the very capabilities meant to yield fruit for God?

Furthermore, if a person, neglecting justice and shunning the beauty of bravery, indulges in pleasure, would you not view him as similarly afflicted as one who wastes seed, relying on disgraceful ends rather than embracing his inherent goodness and sacrificing spiritual fruitfulness for trivial gains? Indeed, I would.

If he truly were unclean, even the latter vessels would also need to be destroyed like the earthen ones. Additionally, the law views as unclean someone who experiences these occurrences during dreams or who engages in marital relations (Leviticus 15:18), despite the fact that God established the institution of marriage as the very first law. It is written, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). Why then does the law deem the one who has slept to be unclean? Clearly, it teaches moderation in marital relations and emphasizes that the purpose of such union should be celibacy rather than indulgence. Consequently, it labels those who have engaged in sleep as unclean and mandates purification to discourage excessive intimacy. Nevertheless, the divine apostle, addressing the spiritually mature, affirms, "Honorable is marriage, and the bed is not defiled; but God will judge fornicators and adulterers" (Hebrews 13:4).