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Leviticus 13:3 - Priest examines skin's purity signs

Leviticus 13:3 - ויקרא 13:3

Hebrew Text

וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַנֶּגַע בְּעוֹר־הַבָּשָׂר וְשֵׂעָר בַּנֶּגַע הָפַךְ לָבָן וּמַרְאֵה הַנֶּגַע עָמֹק מֵעוֹר בְּשָׂרוֹ נֶגַע צָרַעַת הוּא וְרָאָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן וְטִמֵּא אֹתוֹ׃

English Translation

and the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague be deeper in appearance than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of żara῾at: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

Transliteration

Ve'ra'a hakohen et-hanega be'or-habasar vese'ar banega hafach lavan umar'eh hanega amok me'or besaro nega tzara'at hu ve'ra'ahu hakohen vetim'e oto.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֣ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֣גַע בְּעֽוֹר־הַ֠בָּשָׂ֠ר וְשֵׂעָ֨ר בַּנֶּ֜גַע הָפַ֣ךְ <b>׀</b> לָבָ֗ן וּמַרְאֵ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ עָמֹק֙ מֵע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְרָאָ֥הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְטִמֵּ֥א אֹתֽוֹ׃
וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֣ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֣גַע בְּעֽוֹר־הַ֠בָּשָׂ֠ר וְשֵׂעָ֨ר בַּנֶּ֜גַע הָפַ֣ךְ ׀ לָבָ֗ן וּמַרְאֵ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ עָמֹק֙ מֵע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְרָאָ֥הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְטִמֵּ֥א אֹתֽוֹ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Signs of Tzara'at

The verse (Vayikra 13:3) describes the process by which a Kohen diagnoses tzara'at (often mistranslated as "leprosy"). According to Rashi, the primary signs are:

  • White hair in the affliction (שֵׂעָר בַּנֶּגַע הָפַךְ לָבָן): Rashi explains that this refers to hair within the affected area turning white, which is unnatural and indicates impurity.
  • The affliction appears deeper than the skin (וּמַרְאֵה הַנֶּגַע עָמֹק מֵעוֹר בְּשָׂרוֹ): The discoloration must penetrate beneath the surface, suggesting a spiritual malady rather than a superficial blemish.

The Role of the Kohen

The Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:1) emphasizes that only a Kohen, not a doctor or layperson, may declare someone tamei (impure). The Kohen serves as a spiritual arbiter, as tzara'at is not merely a physical ailment but a manifestation of spiritual deficiency—often linked to lashon hara (evil speech), as discussed in the Talmud (Arachin 15b).

Symbolism of Tzara'at

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 15:5) teaches that tzara'at is a divine warning, compelling the afflicted to reflect on their actions. The whiteness of the hair symbolizes the unnatural state of sin, while the depth of the affliction represents the internal nature of moral failings. The Sforno adds that the Kohen's declaration of impurity serves as a wake-up call for repentance.

Halachic Implications

The Mishnah (Negaim 3:1) details the examination process, stressing that the Kohen must observe the affliction in natural light to avoid misjudgment. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) further notes that the purification process—involving isolation and eventual offerings—parallels the stages of teshuvah (repentance), reinforcing the spiritual dimension of the affliction.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nega'im 2a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the identification and declaration of leprosy (żara῾at) by a priest.
📖 Sanhedrin 71a
The verse is referenced in a broader discussion about the role of priests in diagnosing skin afflictions and the implications for ritual purity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is 'tzara'at' mentioned in Leviticus 13:3?
A: Tzara'at is a spiritual affliction described in the Torah that appears as discoloration on the skin, clothing, or homes. According to Rashi and the Talmud (Arachin 15b), it is not a medical condition but a supernatural sign of spiritual impurity, often associated with sins like lashon hara (evil speech).
Q: Why does the kohen (priest) examine tzara'at instead of a doctor?
A: The Torah assigns this role to the kohen because tzara'at is a spiritual matter, not a medical one. Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:2) explains that the kohen's inspection follows divine laws, not medical diagnosis. The process teaches humility and repentance, as the afflicted must seek spiritual guidance.
Q: What does it mean that the hair turns white in the affected area?
A: The white hair (שֵׂעָר לָבָן) is one of the key signs of tzara'at, as stated in the verse. Rashi (on Leviticus 13:3) notes that this unnatural change—along with the affliction being deeper than the skin—indicates impurity. The Talmud (Nega'im 2:1) elaborates on these physical signs as markers requiring the kohen's declaration of tum'ah (impurity).
Q: How does this verse apply today without the Temple?
A: While we no longer have the Temple or kohanim to diagnose tzara'at, the Torah's lesson remains. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 16:1) connects tzara'at to moral failings, teaching us to avoid gossip and arrogance. Today, we internalize these values by improving speech and character, as emphasized in Jewish ethical works like Chofetz Chaim.
Q: Why is the affliction described as 'deeper than the skin'?
A: The phrase 'עָמֹק מֵעוֹר בְּשָׂרוֹ' (deeper than the skin) symbolizes that tzara'at reflects an internal spiritual flaw, not just a surface issue. The Sforno explains that this depth shows the problem stems from the person's inner self, requiring sincere repentance. The outer signs are manifestations of deeper moral shortcomings.