There is a difference between whether טמא (uncleanness) comes on the uncleanness of a corpse - then no prefix will come afterwards - and whether it comes on the uncleanness of the soul – then the prefix ב will come afterwards and it is referring to uncleanness that is the opposite of holiness, as when it refers to immorality and disgusting acts, like ויטמאו במעשיהם (Thus were they defiled with their works)⁶¹⁰. Or from a topic that is sick and disgusting, like prohibited foods.

footnotes: ⁶¹⁰ Psalms 106:39.

And any place where the prefix ב comes on the uncleanness of a corpse, there will be a homiletical interpretation.

And sometimes the prefix ל comes on the uncleanness of a corpse, and then it means to say that one may defile oneself for the same thing, like לאביו ולאמו וכו' יטמא (for his mother, and for his father… may he defile himself)⁶¹¹.

footnotes: ⁶¹¹ Leviticus 21:2-3.