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Leviticus 13:28 - Burn scar or impurity?

Leviticus 13:28 - ויקרא 13:28

Hebrew Text

וְאִם־תַּחְתֶּיהָ תַעֲמֹד הַבַּהֶרֶת לֹא־פָשְׂתָה בָעוֹר וְהִוא כֵהָה שְׂאֵת הַמִּכְוָה הִוא וְטִהֲרוֹ הַכֹּהֵן כִּי־צָרֶבֶת הַמִּכְוָה הִוא׃

English Translation

And if the bright spot stay in its place, and spread not in the skin, and it be somewhat dimmer; it is a swelling caused by the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is a scar of the burn.

Transliteration

Ve'im-tachteha ta'amod habaheret lo-fasta va'or ve'hi keha se'et hamikhva hi vetiharo hakohen ki-tzarevet hamikhva hi.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־תַּחְתֶּ֩יהָ֩ תַעֲמֹ֨ד הַבַּהֶ֜רֶת לֹא־פָשְׂתָ֤ה בָעוֹר֙ וְהִ֣וא כֵהָ֔ה שְׂאֵ֥ת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְטִֽהֲרוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן כִּֽי־צָרֶ֥בֶת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִֽוא׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וְאִם־תַּחְתֶּ֩יהָ֩ תַעֲמֹ֨ד הַבַּהֶ֜רֶת לֹא־פָשְׂתָ֤ה בָעוֹר֙ וְהִ֣וא כֵהָ֔ה שְׂאֵ֥ת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְטִֽהֲרוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן כִּֽי־צָרֶ֥בֶת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִֽוא׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Laws of Tzara'at

This verse (Vayikra 13:28) is part of the Torah's detailed laws concerning tzara'at (often mistranslated as "leprosy"), which is a spiritual affliction manifesting as discolorations or lesions on the skin, garments, or homes. The passage discusses a case where a bright spot (baheret) appears on the skin but does not spread and appears dimmer—indicating it is not tzara'at but rather the scar of a burn (s'eit hamichvah). The kohen (priest) examines it and declares the person tahor (ritually pure).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 13:28) clarifies that the phrase "lo fastah ba'or" ("it has not spread in the skin") means the discoloration remains confined to its original location. He notes that the dimness ("ve'hi keha") is a key sign distinguishing this from actual tzara'at, which typically intensifies in brightness. Rashi further explains that "s'eit hamichvah hi" ("it is the swelling of the burn") refers to a scar from a prior injury, not a new affliction.

Rambam's Halachic Perspective

In Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at (1:6), the Rambam (Maimonides) rules that any skin discoloration resulting from a burn, bruise, or wound cannot be classified as tzara'at, as the Torah explicitly excludes such marks. He emphasizes that the kohen must carefully examine whether the mark is a natural scar or a potential spiritual affliction.

Midrashic Insight

The Midrash (Torat Kohanim 13:28) connects this verse to the broader theme of Divine justice: just as Hashem distinguishes between true tzara'at (a sign of spiritual failing) and harmless scars, so too does He judge with precision, never conflating incidental suffering with punishment. This teaches that suffering is not always indicative of sin—sometimes it is merely a natural consequence of physical injury.

Key Halachic Principles

  • Exclusion of Natural Causes: The verse establishes that marks from burns or injuries are not subject to tum'ah (ritual impurity), as they lack the spiritual dimension of tzara'at.
  • Role of the Kohen: Only a kohen may declare purity or impurity, underscoring the Torah's insistence on spiritual—not medical—discernment.
  • Signs of Purity: A mark that remains static and fades (keha) is inherently non-malignant, unlike tzara'at, which spreads or brightens.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nega'im 7:5
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning skin afflictions (tzara'at), specifically regarding the distinction between a bright spot that spreads and one that remains unchanged, which affects the priest's determination of cleanliness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Leviticus 13:28 talking about?
A: Leviticus 13:28 discusses the laws of tzara'at (often mistranslated as 'leprosy'), specifically a skin discoloration caused by a burn. If the discoloration remains unchanged and doesn't spread, the kohen (priest) declares the person clean because it's simply a scar from the burn.
Q: Why does the Torah specify burns in this verse?
A: The Torah specifies burns to teach that not all skin discolorations are impure tzara'at. Rashi explains that this verse shows that if a mark is clearly identified as a burn scar (not spreading and somewhat faded), it doesn't require the isolation or purification process of actual tzara'at.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 13:28 today?
A: We learn the importance of proper judgment - not all discolorations or imperfections are spiritually significant. Just as the kohen had to carefully examine if a mark was just a burn scar, we must carefully evaluate situations before making spiritual judgments about them.
Q: Why was the kohen involved in examining skin conditions?
A: The kohen served as both a spiritual and medical authority in these matters. The Talmud (Arachin 16a) explains that tzara'at was often a spiritual matter related to lashon hara (negative speech), so the kohen's role connected physical symptoms with spiritual causes.
Q: What does 'somewhat dimmer' mean in this verse?
A: Rashi explains 'somewhat dimmer' means the discoloration is less intense than when the burn first occurred. This fading, along with the mark not spreading, are key signs that it's just a scar and not the spiritually significant tzara'at that would require purification.