Kiddushin, Daf Samekh Vav, Part 5

Introduction

We now discuss the second part of the baraita from above how do we know that if a priest is discovered to have a blemish, all of his previous service at the altar is rendered unfit?

בעל מום דעבודתו פסולה מנלן

אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל דאמר קרא (במדבר כה, יב) לכן אמור הנני נותן לו את בריתי שלום כשהוא שלם ולא כשהוא חסר והא שלום כתיב אמר רב נחמן וי"ו דשלום קטיעה היא

How do we know that the service of a priest with a blemish is [retroactively] invalid?

R. Yehudah said in the name of Shmuel: For the verse said, Therefore say, I hereby grant him my covenant of wholeness (read as shalem) (Numbers 25:12): when he is whole, but not when he is lacking.

But shalom [peace] is written! R. Nahman: The vav of shalom is broken off [in the middle].

This is a rare case in which the amoraim make a midrash on the way a letter is written. The letter vav in the world shalom is broken in half (look in a tikkun and you will see). This allows us to read it as if the word says shalem and not shalom. The verse can now be read as if it says that the descendants of Aaron are given the covenant only if they are whole meaning not blemished. If they are blemished, all of their earlier sacrifices are rendered invalid.