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Leviticus 13:4 - White spot: pure or impure?

Leviticus 13:4 - ויקרא 13:4

Hebrew Text

וְאִם־בַּהֶרֶת לְבָנָה הִוא בְּעוֹר בְּשָׂרוֹ וְעָמֹק אֵין־מַרְאֶהָ מִן־הָעוֹר וּשְׂעָרָה לֹא־הָפַךְ לָבָן וְהִסְגִּיר הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַנֶּגַע שִׁבְעַת יָמִים׃

English Translation

If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and be not deeper in appearance than the skin, and its hair be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that has the plague seven days:

Transliteration

Ve'im-baheret levana hi b'or b'saro ve'amok ein-mar'eha min-ha'or us'ara lo-hafach lavan vehisgir hakohen et-hanega shiv'at yamim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־בַּהֶ֩רֶת֩ לְבָנָ֨ה הִ֜וא בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֗וֹ וְעָמֹק֙ אֵין־מַרְאֶ֣הָ מִן־הָע֔וֹר וּשְׂעָרָ֖הֿ לֹא־הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֑ן וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֖גַע שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃
וְאִם־בַּהֶ֩רֶת֩ לְבָנָ֨ה הִ֜וא בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֗וֹ וְעָמֹק֙ אֵין־מַרְאֶ֣הָ מִן־הָע֔וֹר וּשְׂעָרָ֖הֿ לֹא־הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֑ן וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֖גַע שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

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Parasha Commentary

Verse Context: Tzara'at (Leprosy) in Torah

This verse (Vayikra 13:4) discusses the laws of tzara'at (often mistranslated as leprosy), a supernatural affliction that manifests on skin, garments, or houses as a sign of spiritual impurity. The Torah outlines specific signs that determine whether a mark is indeed tzara'at, requiring the intervention of a kohen (priest).

Key Elements of the Verse

  • Bright White Spot (בַּהֶרֶת לְבָנָה): Rashi explains that this refers to a mark whiter than an egg's membrane, one of the primary signs of potential tzara'at.
  • Not Deeper than the Skin (עָמֹק אֵין־מַרְאֶהָ מִן־הָעוֹר): The Sifra clarifies that this means the affliction does not appear sunken into the skin, distinguishing it from other types of blemishes.
  • Hair Not Turned White (וּשְׂעָרָה לֹא־הָפַךְ לָבָן): Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 1:6) notes that unchanged hair is a sign that the affliction is not yet confirmed as tzara'at.
  • Seven-Day Quarantine (וְהִסְגִּיר הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַנֶּגַע שִׁבְעַת יָמִים): The Talmud (Arachin 16a) teaches that this period allows for observation, as tzara'at is often a consequence of lashon hara (evil speech) and requires introspection.

Spiritual Significance

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 15:2) connects tzara'at to moral failings, particularly arrogance and slander. The whiteness of the affliction symbolizes the emptiness of pride, while the quarantine period serves as a time for repentance. The kohen's role emphasizes that purity is not merely physical but requires spiritual discernment.

Halachic Implications

Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:2) rules that only a kohen may declare a person tamei (impure) or tahor (pure), underscoring the Divine aspect of the diagnosis. The seven-day waiting period reflects the Torah's caution against rash judgments, teaching that spiritual matters require patience and careful evaluation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nega'im 2a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning leprosy (tzara'at) and the criteria for diagnosing it, particularly focusing on the appearance of the bright spot and the condition of the hair.
📖 Sanhedrin 98a
The verse is referenced in a broader discussion about the signs and symptoms of tzara'at, linking it to spiritual and physical purity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 13:4 mean?
A: Leviticus 13:4 discusses the laws of tzara'at (often mistranslated as 'leprosy'), a spiritual affliction that could appear on a person's skin. The verse describes a white spot that is not deeper than the skin and where the hair has not turned white. In such a case, the kohen (priest) would quarantine the person for seven days to observe if the condition changes, as explained by Rashi and the Talmud (Arachin 15b).
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is part of the Torah's detailed laws on purity and impurity (tumah and taharah). Tzara'at was seen as a physical manifestation of spiritual flaws, such as lashon hara (evil speech), as taught in the Talmud (Arachin 15b). The quarantine process emphasized introspection and repentance, showing the Torah's focus on moral and spiritual growth.
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 13:4 today?
A: Although we no longer have tzara'at today, the lesson remains relevant: we should be mindful of our actions, especially speech, and take time for self-reflection when we notice signs of spiritual decline. The seven-day quarantine teaches the value of patience and seeking guidance from Torah scholars (like the kohen) in matters of personal growth.
Q: Why did the kohen quarantine the person for seven days?
A: The seven-day quarantine (hafsekah) allowed time to determine whether the spot was truly tzara'at or a temporary condition. The Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:2) explains that this period provided clarity, as some skin discolorations could heal naturally. If unchanged after seven days, further examination was required.
Q: What does it mean that the hair did not turn white?
A: White hair in the affected area was a key sign of severe tzara'at (Vayikra 13:3). If the hair remained its normal color (as in this verse), it indicated a milder case requiring observation rather than immediate declaration of impurity. Rashi notes that this detail helped the kohen assess the severity of the condition.