The Torah in Parashat Shemini (Vayikra 11:29) establishes that eight species of Sherasim (rodents) are to be regarded as Tameh (ritually impure). The Sefer Ha’hinuch, in discussing this Misva, elaborates at length on the general topic of Ta’ameh Ha’misvot – the reasons underlying the Torah’s commands. He explains that the human mind is very limited, and thus incapable of fully comprehending the infinite wisdom of G-d. As such, we can never hope to gain a complete understanding of the reasons for G-d’s commands. Even Moshe Rabbenu, the greatest prophet who ever lived, did not achieve perfect wisdom, reaching just short of the “50 th level of understanding.” And Shlomo Ha’melech, the wisest man who ever lived, said about the depth and wisdom of Torah, “Rehoka Mimeni” – its complete understanding remained unattainable. G-d is the source of all wisdom, and so we limited human beings cannot possibly fully grasp His Torah. Nevertheless, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, we should strive to understand as much as we can, and it is for this reason that he wrote this book – in an attempt to uncover the reasons for the Misvot that we can understand with our limited intellect. With regard to the laws of Tum’a, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes, we must assume that objects which impart Tum’a must have some adverse spiritual effect upon a person, causing, in his words, “the fountains of the intellect to malfunction.” We, of course, do not really understand the nature of the human soul, and therefore, we do not understand why certain things cause a degree of contamination to the soul. We must rely upon G-d, who created us, and obviously knows what is beneficial and what is detrimental for us, to determine the sources of Tum’a from which we should try to abstain. It is for our benefit that the Torah imposed certain restrictions upon those who come in contact with sources of Tum’a, in order to discourage us from such contact and thereby preserve the pristine condition of our souls. The eight Sherasim listed by the Torah have the status of “Ab Ha’tum’a,” which means that they transmit Tum’a to people and utensils which come in direct contact with them. Only their carcasses emit Tum’a; touching a live Sheres does not result in Tum’a. One becomes Tameh only by directly touching the dead Sheres, and not if he carries it without touching it (such as if he carries a basket which turns out to contain the remains of a Sheres). The remains of a Sheres impart Tum’a only in the size of an “Adasha” – a lentil. Small pieces of several different species of Sherasim can combine to this minimum required amount and impart Tum’a. A person who became Tameh through direct contact with any of the Shemona Sherasim is forbidden from eating hallowed food, such as Teruma (the gift to a Kohen from agricultural produce) or sacrifices, and from entering the Bet Ha’mikdash. He must first divest himself of his impure status through immersion in a Mikveh. This law, assigning Tum’a to one who comes in direct contact with any of the Shemona Sherasim, applies in all places, to both men and women, and in all times. Even nowadays, one who touches one of these creatures becomes Tameh. The Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that although there is no prohibition against touching a Sheres, nevertheless, it is proper to refrain from doing so, as it is beneficial for the soul to avoid impurity. Rabbenu Bahya (Spain, 1255-1340), in his Torah commentary (Vayikra 11:30), raises the question of why the snake is not included among the creatures which impart Tum’a. The snake is the most detestable of all creatures, having lured Hava to sin in Gan Eden, thus giving rise to all the problems and pain which mankind has endured ever since. How could it be that other creatures emit Tum’a, but snakes do not? Rabbenu Bahya answers based on the principle, “Deracheha Darcheh Noam Ve’chol Netivoteha Shalom” – “Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace” (Mishleh 3:17). Torah life is meant to be pleasant an