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Leviticus 13:5 - Seventh-day plague inspection?

Leviticus 13:5 - ויקרא 13:5

Hebrew Text

וְרָאָהוּ הַכֹּהֵן בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וְהִנֵּה הַנֶּגַע עָמַד בְּעֵינָיו לֹא־פָשָׂה הַנֶּגַע בָּעוֹר וְהִסְגִּירוֹ הַכֹּהֵן שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שֵׁנִית׃

English Translation

and the priest shall look on him on the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:

Transliteration

Ve'ra'ahu hakohen bayom hashvi'i ve'hine hanege'amad be'einaiv lo-fasa hanege'a ba'or ve'hisgiro hakohen shiv'at yamim shenit.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְרָאָ֣הוּ הַכֹּהֵן֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒ וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ עָמַ֣ד בְּעֵינָ֔יו לֹֽא־פָשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בָּע֑וֹר וְהִסְגִּיר֧וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית׃
וְרָאָ֣הוּ הַכֹּהֵן֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒ וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ עָמַ֣ד בְּעֵינָ֔יו לֹֽא־פָשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בָּע֑וֹר וְהִסְגִּיר֧וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse in Context

This verse (Vayikra 13:5) is part of the Torah's detailed laws concerning tzara'at (often mistranslated as "leprosy"), a supernatural affliction that could appear on a person's skin, garments, or home. The kohen (priest) plays a central role in diagnosing and determining the status of the affliction, as it carries spiritual and ritual implications.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 13:5) explains that the phrase "וְהִנֵּה הַנֶּגַע עָמַד בְּעֵינָיו" ("the plague in his sight be at a stay") means the affliction has not changed in appearance—it has neither spread nor diminished. The kohen must carefully observe whether the condition remains static. If so, a second quarantine period of seven days is required before a final determination can be made.

The Significance of the Seven-Day Waiting Period

The Talmud (Arachin 16a) discusses the spiritual dimensions of tzara'at, linking it to sins such as lashon hara (evil speech). The two seven-day waiting periods serve as a time for introspection and repentance. The Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 9:2) emphasizes that the quarantine is not merely medical but a process of spiritual purification.

The Role of the Kohen

  • The kohen must be the one to inspect the affliction—not a doctor or another expert (Sifra, Metzora 1:1). This underscores the spiritual nature of the affliction.
  • The repetition of the quarantine ("שִׁבְעַת יָמִים שֵׁנִית") teaches that the kohen must be certain before declaring the person impure or pure (Torat Kohanim).

Symbolism of the Affliction Not Spreading

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 15:5) notes that if the affliction does not spread, it may indicate that the person has begun the process of repentance. The pause in the affliction's growth is a sign of potential spiritual improvement, warranting additional time for reflection before a final ruling.

📚 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) and the priest's examination process on the seventh day.
📖 Arakhin 16a
The verse is referenced in a broader discussion about the signs and procedures related to skin afflictions and their purification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 13:5 mean?
A: Leviticus 13:5 discusses the laws of tzara'at (often mistranslated as 'leprosy'), a spiritual affliction that could appear on a person's skin. The verse explains that if, after the first seven-day quarantine, the priest sees that the affliction hasn't spread, the person must be quarantined for another seven days before a final determination is made.
Q: Why is the priest involved in diagnosing skin afflictions?
A: According to Jewish tradition, tzara'at was not a medical condition but a spiritual one, often caused by sins like lashon hara (evil speech). The kohen (priest) served as a spiritual expert to determine its status, as the Torah assigns this role specifically to the kohanim (Rashi on Leviticus 13:2).
Q: Why does the Torah require a second quarantine of seven days?
A: The second seven-day quarantine allows for further observation to ensure the affliction is truly not spreading. The Torah is cautious in these judgments because declaring someone impure has serious spiritual and social consequences (Mishnah Negaim 3:1). This teaches the importance of careful, patient judgment in all matters.
Q: What can we learn from the laws of tzara'at today?
A: Though we no longer have tzara'at today, the Talmud (Arachin 16a) teaches that it came as a consequence of negative speech and arrogance. The quarantine period served as time for reflection and repentance. Today, we can learn the importance of guarding our speech and using setbacks as opportunities for self-improvement.
Q: Why does the verse say 'the priest shall look' specifically on the seventh day?
A: The seventh day is significant because it completes a full week of observation, mirroring the seven-day cycles found throughout Judaism (like Shabbat). Rashi explains that this shows the importance of proper timing in spiritual matters - we must give adequate time before making important determinations about a person's status.