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Leviticus 13:45 - Outcast's lament: why isolation?

Leviticus 13:45 - ויקרא 13:45

Hebrew Text

וְהַצָּרוּעַ אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ הַנֶּגַע בְּגָדָיו יִהְיוּ פְרֻמִים וְרֹאשׁוֹ יִהְיֶה פָרוּעַ וְעַל־שָׂפָם יַעְטֶה וְטָמֵא טָמֵא יִקְרָא׃

English Translation

And the diseased man in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and the hair of his head shall grow long, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.

Transliteration

Vehatzaru'a asher-bo hanega begadav yihyu frumim verosho yihye faru'a ve'al safam ya'ate vetame tame yikra.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַצָּר֜וּעַ אֲשֶׁר־בּ֣וֹ הַנֶּ֗גַע בְּגָדָ֞יו יִהְי֤וּ פְרֻמִים֙ וְרֹאשׁוֹ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה פָר֔וּעַ וְעַל־שָׂפָ֖ם יַעְטֶ֑ה וְטָמֵ֥א <small>׀</small> טָמֵ֖א יִקְרָֽא׃
וְהַצָּר֜וּעַ אֲשֶׁר־בּ֣וֹ הַנֶּ֗גַע בְּגָדָ֞יו יִהְי֤וּ פְרֻמִים֙ וְרֹאשׁוֹ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה פָר֔וּעַ וְעַל־שָׂפָ֖ם יַעְטֶ֑ה וְטָמֵ֥א ׀ טָמֵ֖א יִקְרָֽא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Laws of the Metzora (Leper) in Vayikra (Leviticus) 13:45

The verse describes the required behavior of a person afflicted with tzara'at (often mistranslated as leprosy), a spiritual affliction resulting from sins such as lashon hara (evil speech), arrogance, or stinginess (Arachin 16a). The Torah mandates four outward signs of mourning and repentance:

  • Torn Garments (Perumim) - Rashi explains this serves as public notification of his impurity, preventing others from contracting ritual impurity through contact. The Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 10:6) adds that this mirrors mourning practices, humbling the sinner.
  • Unkempt Hair (Parua) - The Talmud (Moed Katan 15a) compares this to the state of an onen (mourner after a death), symbolizing the spiritual death caused by sin. The Sforno notes this reflects the disarray of one who neglected proper speech.
  • Covered Upper Lip - The covering (often understood as a veil) represents silence, rectifying the sin of improper speech (Midrash Tanchuma, Metzora 3). The Chizkuni connects this to the mourning gesture of covering the mouth.
  • Proclaiming "Tamei, Tamei" - The repetition emphasizes warning others of impurity (Rashi). The Ramban teaches this public declaration encourages introspection and repentance, as the Metzora must acknowledge his state before being purified.

Spiritual Significance According to Chazal

The Talmud (Arachin 15b) states tzara'at comes primarily for lashon hara, as the Metzora's isolation mirrors the social division caused by malicious speech. The outward signs parallel the inward damage:

  • Torn clothes recall how speech "tears apart" relationships (Tiferet Yisrael).
  • Uncovered hair reflects the exposure of private matters through gossip (Malbim).
  • The covered lip directly atones for the misuse of speech (Kli Yakar).

Halachic Applications

The Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 10:7-8) codifies these laws, noting the Metzora remains in this state until a Kohen declares him pure. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 334) extends some mourning practices to all tum'ot (impurities) as reminders of mortality and the need for repentance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Moed Katan 15a
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the laws of mourning, comparing the behavior of a mourner to that of a metzora (leper).
📖 Niddah 61a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws of ritual impurity, specifically regarding the metzora.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that a person with tzara'at (skin disease) must tear their clothes and let their hair grow?
A: According to Rashi and the Talmud (Moed Katan 15a), tearing clothes and letting hair grow are signs of mourning. This teaches that tzara'at was often a spiritual consequence (like for speaking lashon hara - evil speech), so the person must show humility and repentance, similar to a mourner.
Q: Why does the Torah say a person with tzara'at must cover their upper lip and call 'Unclean, unclean'?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 10:6) explains that covering the lip symbolizes silence (to repent for harmful speech), and calling 'Unclean' warns others to keep distance to prevent spiritual impurity. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 16:3) adds that this public declaration encourages the person to seek help and prayers from the community.
Q: Is tzara'at the same as modern leprosy?
A: No. Traditional Jewish sources (Rambam, Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:1; Talmud Arachin 16a) emphasize that tzara'at was a supernatural affliction caused by spiritual failings (like lashon hara), with unique symptoms (white patches, spreading). It required a kohen's diagnosis, not a doctor, and could even affect houses or clothing—unlike any natural disease.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the laws of tzara'at today?
A: The Talmud (Arachin 15b) teaches that tzara'at comes primarily from lashon hara (harmful speech). Even though we no longer have tzara'at today, the message remains: words have power, and we must guard our speech. The outward signs (torn clothes, etc.) remind us to fix internal flaws through teshuvah (repentance).
Q: Why does the Torah say 'טמא טמא' ('Unclean, unclean') twice?
A: Rashi (on this verse) quotes the Talmud (Moed Katan 5a) that the repetition means the person must announce their impurity both to warn individuals and public groups. Alternatively, the Midrash (Sifra) says it emphasizes the need to declare it consistently—not hiding one's spiritual state.