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Leviticus 13:49 - Color reveals spiritual impurity?

Leviticus 13:49 - ויקרא 13:49

Hebrew Text

וְהָיָה הַנֶּגַע יְרַקְרַק אוֹ אֲדַמְדָּם בַּבֶּגֶד אוֹ בָעוֹר אוֹ־בַשְּׁתִי אוֹ־בָעֵרֶב אוֹ בְכָל־כְּלִי־עוֹר נֶגַע צָרַעַת הוּא וְהָרְאָה אֶת־הַכֹּהֵן׃

English Translation

and if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin; it is a plague of żara῾at, and shall be shown to the priest:

Transliteration

Vehaya hane'ga yerakrak o adamdam babeged o va'or o-vashti o-va'erev o vechol-kli-or nega tzara'at hu vehar'a et-hakohen.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָיָ֨ה הַנֶּ֜גַע יְרַקְרַ֣ק <b>׀</b> א֣וֹ אֲדַמְדָּ֗ם בַּבֶּ֩גֶד֩ א֨וֹ בָע֜וֹר אֽוֹ־בַשְּׁתִ֤י אוֹ־בָעֵ֙רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בְכׇל־כְּלִי־ע֔וֹר נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְהׇרְאָ֖ה אֶת־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃
וְהָיָ֨ה הַנֶּ֜גַע יְרַקְרַ֣ק ׀ א֣וֹ אֲדַמְדָּ֗ם בַּבֶּ֩גֶד֩ א֨וֹ בָע֜וֹר אֽוֹ־בַשְּׁתִ֤י אוֹ־בָעֵ֙רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בְכׇל־כְּלִי־ע֔וֹר נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְהׇרְאָ֖ה אֶת־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Colors of Tzara'at

The verse describes the appearance of nega tzara'at (a leprous affliction) as either yerakrak (greenish) or adamdam (reddish). Rashi (Vayikra 13:49) explains that these colors are not ordinary shades but rather unnatural discolorations that indicate impurity. The Torah specifies these hues to distinguish between ordinary stains and actual tzara'at, which requires priestly inspection.

The Significance of Garments and Skin

The verse mentions that the affliction can appear in garments, skin, warp, woof, or leather items. The Talmud (Arachin 16a) teaches that tzara'at on garments or houses (as discussed later in the parsha) serves as a warning before it appears on a person's skin. This progression suggests that Hashem provides opportunities for repentance before more severe consequences manifest.

The Role of the Kohen

The verse concludes by stating that the affliction must be shown to the kohen. Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:2) emphasizes that only a kohen has the authority to declare a person, garment, or house impure or pure. This underscores the spiritual dimension of tzara'at, as the kohen serves as a divine agent in diagnosing and guiding the afflicted toward repentance.

Symbolism of Tzara'at

Midrash Tanchuma (Metzora 3) connects tzara'at to moral failings, particularly lashon hara (evil speech). The unnatural colors—green and red—symbolize jealousy (green) and shame (red), traits often associated with gossip and slander. The affliction on garments, which are external, hints at the public consequences of sinful behavior.

  • Yerakrak (Greenish): Represents envy, as in the phrase "green with envy."
  • Adamdam (Reddish): Symbolizes embarrassment or bloodshed caused by harmful speech.
  • In Garments: Indicates that sin affects not only the individual but also their surroundings.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nega'im 3:1
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning leprosy (tzara'at) in garments, detailing how to identify the plague and the requirement to show it to the priest.
📖 Shabbat 28a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the materials and colors that can be used for the Tabernacle, drawing a parallel to the colors mentioned in the context of leprosy in garments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the 'greenish or reddish' color in the verse refer to?
A: The verse describes signs of 'tzara'at' (a spiritual affliction often mistranslated as leprosy) appearing in fabrics or leather. According to Rashi, the greenish ('yerakrak') and reddish ('adamdam') colors are specific shades that indicate impurity. The Torah requires these discolorations to be examined by a kohen (priest) to determine if they are indeed tzara'at.
Q: Why does the Torah mention tzara'at appearing in clothing and not just on skin?
A: The Talmud (Arachin 16a) teaches that tzara'at in garments or houses (mentioned later in Leviticus) serves as a warning sign from Hashem for spiritual faults like gossip, arrogance, or stinginess. Unlike skin tzara'at, which affects a person directly, tzara'at in possessions is an earlier, gentler reminder to repent before the affliction reaches one's body.
Q: Why must the discoloration be shown to a kohen (priest)?
A: As Rambam explains (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:2), the kohen has the Torah-given authority to declare something pure or impure. This teaches that spiritual matters require guidance from Torah scholars. The Mishnah (Negaim 3:1) also details how the kohen examines the discoloration under specific conditions (e.g., natural daylight) to avoid errors in judgment.
Q: Does tzara'at in clothing still happen today?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 9:12) states that tzara'at on garments (and houses) ceased when the Second Temple was destroyed, as it was a phenomenon tied to the Divine Presence dwelling among Israel in a revealed way. However, the spiritual lessons about refining our character remain eternally relevant.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 17:6) connects tzara'at to harmful speech, teaching that just as discoloration spreads in a garment, negative speech damages communities. Today, we apply this by being mindful of our words. The Chofetz Chaim emphasizes that repairing speech is how we 'purify' ourselves in the absence of the Temple service.