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Leviticus 13:25 - Priest detects hidden impurity?

Leviticus 13:25 - ויקרא 13:25

Hebrew Text

וְרָאָה אֹתָהּ הַכֹּהֵן וְהִנֵּה נֶהְפַּךְ שֵׂעָר לָבָן בַּבַּהֶרֶת וּמַרְאֶהָ עָמֹק מִן־הָעוֹר צָרַעַת הִוא בַּמִּכְוָה פָּרָחָה וְטִמֵּא אֹתוֹ הַכֹּהֵן נֶגַע צָרַעַת הִוא׃

English Translation

then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in appearance deeper than the skin; it is a żara῾at broken out of the burn: and the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of żara῾at.

Transliteration

Ve'ra'a ota hakohan ve'hine nehepakh se'ar lavan ba'baheret u'mar'eha amok min-ha'or tzara'at hi ba'mikhva parakha ve'time oto hakohan nega tzara'at hi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְרָאָ֣ה אֹתָ֣הּ הַכֹּהֵ֡ן וְהִנֵּ֣ה נֶהְפַּךְ֩ שֵׂעָ֨ר לָבָ֜ן בַּבַּהֶ֗רֶת וּמַרְאֶ֙הָ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן־הָע֔וֹר צָרַ֣עַת הִ֔וא בַּמִּכְוָ֖ה פָּרָ֑חָה וְטִמֵּ֤א אֹתוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת הִֽוא׃
וְרָאָ֣ה אֹתָ֣הּ הַכֹּהֵ֡ן וְהִנֵּ֣ה נֶהְפַּךְ֩ שֵׂעָ֨ר לָבָ֜ן בַּבַּהֶ֗רֶת וּמַרְאֶ֙הָ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן־הָע֔וֹר צָרַ֣עַת הִ֔וא בַּמִּכְוָ֖ה פָּרָ֑חָה וְטִמֵּ֤א אֹתוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת הִֽוא׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Signs of Tzara'at

The verse describes the process by which a kohen (priest) identifies tzara'at (often mistranslated as leprosy) in a burn wound. According to Rashi (Vayikra 13:25), the key indicators are:

  • White Hair (Se'ar Lavan): The presence of hair that has turned white within the affected area is a primary sign of impurity.
  • Deeper Appearance (Amok min ha'Or): The spot must appear sunken or deeper than the surrounding skin, indicating an internal affliction.

The Role of the Kohen

Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:1) emphasizes that only a kohen has the authority to declare a person tamei (ritually impure) or tahor (pure). This underscores the spiritual dimension of tzara'at, as it is not merely a medical condition but a divine sign requiring priestly discernment.

Spiritual Implications of Tzara'at

The Talmud (Arachin 16a) teaches that tzara'at is a punishment primarily for lashon hara (evil speech). The affliction appearing in a burn wound suggests that even physical injuries can become spiritually significant if they result from or lead to sinful behavior. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 15:5) further connects tzara'at to arrogance, as the swelling and discoloration symbolize the inflated ego of the sinner.

The Process of Tumah and Taharah

The verse concludes with the kohen declaring the person tamei. The Sforno (Vayikra 13:25) explains that this declaration is not merely diagnostic but serves as a call to repentance. The afflicted individual must undergo a period of isolation and introspection before purification can be achieved, as detailed in later verses.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nega'im 2a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding leprosy (tzara'at) and the priest's examination of skin afflictions.
📖 Sanhedrin 98a
The verse is referenced in a broader discussion about the signs and interpretations of tzara'at as a spiritual affliction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse Leviticus 13:25 mean?
A: This verse describes the process where a priest examines a skin discoloration (called 'baheret') that appears after a burn. If the hair in that spot turns white and the spot appears deeper than the surrounding skin, the priest declares it 'tzara'at' (a spiritual skin affliction), rendering the person ritually impure.
Q: Why is the priest involved in diagnosing skin afflictions?
A: In Jewish tradition, tzara'at is not just a physical condition but has spiritual significance. The Torah assigns the kohanim (priests) to diagnose it because they were trained in distinguishing between pure and impure conditions, as explained in the Talmud (Arachin 3a) and Rambam's Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at).
Q: What is the significance of hair turning white in the affected spot?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Nega'im 4:4), the whitening of hair is one of the key signs that the affliction is tzara'at. This change indicates a deeper spiritual irregularity, as the whiteness symbolizes a departure from the natural state, requiring the priest's attention.
Q: Does tzara'at still apply today?
A: Since the destruction of the Temple, the laws of tzara'at are not practically applied today, as they require a kohen's examination in the Temple context. However, the Talmud (Arachin 16a) teaches that tzara'at historically came as a consequence of lashon hara (negative speech), reminding us to be mindful of our words even now.
Q: What can we learn from this verse today?
A: While we no longer have tzara'at, the Torah's emphasis on spiritual purity teaches us to be aware of our actions and speech. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 16:1) connects tzara'at to moral failings, reminding us to refine our character and avoid harmful behavior.