Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'żara῾at' mean in Leviticus 14:54?
A: In Leviticus 14:54, 'żara῾at' refers to a spiritual affliction often mistranslated as 'leprosy.' According to Rashi and the Talmud (Arachin 15b), it is not a medical condition but a supernatural sign of spiritual impurity caused by sins like gossip, arrogance, or stinginess. The Torah provides detailed laws for diagnosing and purifying it.
Q: Why does the Torah discuss 'żara῾at' in such detail?
A: The Torah details 'żara῾at' to teach that physical phenomena can reflect spiritual states. Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzaraat 16:10) explains it as a divine warning to repent from harmful speech or behavior. The intricate purification process (involving a kohen, sacrifices, and isolation) underscores the gravity of ethical conduct in Jewish life.
Q: Does 'żara῾at' exist today?
A: Traditional Jewish sources (Rambam, Hilchot Tumat Tzaraat 1:3) state that 'żara῾at' ceased with the destruction of the Second Temple, as it required a kohen's inspection and Temple rituals. However, the moral lessons—avoiding gossip (lashon hara) and cultivating humility—remain eternally relevant (Arachin 16a).
Q: What is the connection between 'żara῾at' and speech?
A: The Talmud (Arachin 15b) links 'żara῾at' primarily to lashon hara (harmful speech), citing Miriam’s temporary affliction after speaking negatively about Moshe (Numbers 12:10). The affliction’s public nature (on skin, clothes, or homes) mirrors how gossip spreads and damages communities, emphasizing speech’s sanctity.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While 'żara῾at' no longer manifests physically, the verse reminds us to monitor our behavior. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 16:1) compares the kohen’s inspection to self-reflection: just as a kohen examined the affliction, we must examine our actions and correct ethical flaws, especially in speech and interpersonal conduct.
Overview of the Verse
The verse, זֹאת הַתּוֹרָה לְכָל־נֶגַע הַצָּרַעַת וְלַנָּתֶק ("This is the Tora for all manner of plague of żara῾at, and the patch"), introduces the detailed laws concerning żara῾at (often translated as leprosy, though it is not the same as the medical condition) and netek (a patch or bald spot). These laws are found in Parashat Tazria-Metzora (Vayikra 13-14) and are part of the broader system of tum’ah (ritual impurity) and taharah (ritual purity).
Meaning of Żara῾at
According to Rashi (Vayikra 13:2), żara῾at is not merely a physical ailment but a spiritual affliction, often resulting from sins such as lashon hara (evil speech), arrogance, or stinginess. The Talmud (Arachin 16a) elaborates that żara῾at serves as a divine punishment to prompt introspection and repentance.
The Role of the Kohen
The verse underscores that the diagnosis and purification process for żara῾at must be conducted by a kohen (priest), not a physician. Rashi (Vayikra 13:2) explains that the kohen serves as a spiritual arbiter, determining whether the affliction is indeed tamei (impure) or tahor (pure).
The Concept of Netek (Patch or Bald Spot)
The verse also mentions netek, a bald spot that may indicate impurity. The Talmud (Nega’im 6:7) differentiates between natural baldness and netek, which is a sign of tum’ah. Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara’at 8:1) notes that netek follows similar inspection and purification procedures as żara῾at.
Spiritual Lessons
The laws of żara῾at and netek teach profound moral and ethical lessons: