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Leviticus 14:39 - Priest checks plague's spread?

Leviticus 14:39 - ויקרא 14:39

Hebrew Text

וְשָׁב הַכֹּהֵן בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וְרָאָה וְהִנֵּה פָּשָׂה הַנֶּגַע בְּקִירֹת הַבָּיִת׃

English Translation

and the priest shall come back on the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house;

Transliteration

Veshav haKohen bayom hashvi'i vera'a vehineh pasah hanega b'kirot habayit.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשָׁ֥ב הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑י וְרָאָ֕ה וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בְּקִירֹ֥ת הַבָּֽיִת׃
וְשָׁ֥ב הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑י וְרָאָ֕ה וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בְּקִירֹ֥ת הַבָּֽיִת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse in Context

The verse (Vayikra 14:39) discusses the laws of tzara'at (often translated as leprosy, but more accurately a spiritual affliction) appearing on the walls of a house. This is part of the Torah's detailed treatment of tzara'at, which includes afflictions on people, clothing, and houses. The process involves the Kohen inspecting the house multiple times to determine whether the affliction is spreading.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וְשָׁב הַכֹּהֵן בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי" ("the priest shall come back on the seventh day") indicates a waiting period of seven days after the initial inspection. During this time, the house is quarantined (הֶסְגֵּר), similar to the quarantine for a person afflicted with tzara'at. Rashi emphasizes that the Kohen must personally return to inspect the house—this cannot be delegated—highlighting the importance of the Kohen's role in determining ritual purity.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at (16:1), the Rambam elaborates on the procedure, stating that the Kohen's return on the seventh day is mandatory. If the affliction has spread ("פָּשָׂה הַנֶּגַע"), the house is deemed impure, and the affected stones must be removed. The Rambam connects this to the broader idea that tzara'at is a divine sign, often resulting from sins like lashon hara (evil speech), and serves as a warning to repent.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 17:6) offers a deeper spiritual interpretation: the affliction on the house is a merciful act from Hashem. Before the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisrael, the Canaanites hid treasures in their walls. The tzara'at would force the homeowner to dismantle the walls, revealing the hidden wealth. This teaches that even divine chastisement contains hidden blessings.

Practical Implications

  • The seven-day waiting period underscores the Torah's measured approach—rash judgments are avoided, and time is given for proper evaluation.
  • The involvement of the Kohen highlights the centrality of spiritual leadership in diagnosing and remedying impurity.
  • The spread of the affliction symbolizes unchecked spiritual decay, urging timely corrective action.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Negaim 12b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning the spread of leprosy in houses, particularly the priest's inspection on the seventh day.
📖 Sifra Metzora
The verse is referenced in the midrashic interpretation of the laws of leprosy in houses, emphasizing the priest's role in determining the impurity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 14:39 mean?
A: Leviticus 14:39 describes the process of checking for 'tzara'at' (a spiritual affliction often mistranslated as leprosy) in a house. On the seventh day after initial inspection, the kohen (priest) returns to see if the affliction has spread on the walls. If it has, further steps are taken according to Torah law (Vayikra 14:40-45). Rashi explains this teaches us about Divine supervision - even our homes can reflect spiritual states.
Q: Why is the priest involved in checking houses?
A: The Torah assigns this role specifically to the kohen (priest) because he represents spiritual leadership and discernment. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 71a) teaches that these laws were given to help people reflect on their actions, as tzara'at was understood to come from spiritual failings like lashon hara (evil speech). The kohen's involvement emphasizes this is a spiritual matter, not just physical.
Q: What's the significance of the seventh day in this verse?
A: The seventh day follows the Torah's pattern of meaningful time periods (like creation in 7 days). Rambam explains this waiting period allows for proper observation and gives the homeowner time for introspection. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 17:6) connects this to the concept of repentance - the delay provides opportunity to correct one's ways before more severe consequences.
Q: Does this law about house afflictions apply today?
A: While the detailed laws of tzara'at don't practically apply today (as explained in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 1:3), the spiritual lessons remain relevant. The Chofetz Chaim teaches we should view this as a metaphor - just as homes needed inspection, we must regularly examine our environments and behaviors for negative influences that may 'spread' if unchecked.
Q: What can we learn from the plague spreading in the walls?
A: The Sages teach that the walls represent boundaries in our lives. When negative influences spread beyond their proper boundaries (like harmful speech or unethical behavior), we must take action to remove them. The verse teaches proactive spiritual awareness - we shouldn't ignore small problems that may grow (Talmud Arachin 16a). The physical house serves as a lesson for maintaining spiritual 'homes' (our families and communities).