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Leviticus 13:55 - Impure after washing? Burn it.

Leviticus 13:55 - ויקרא 13:55

Hebrew Text

וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן אַחֲרֵי הֻכַּבֵּס אֶת־הַנֶּגַע וְהִנֵּה לֹא־הָפַךְ הַנֶּגַע אֶת־עֵינוֹ וְהַנֶּגַע לֹא־פָשָׂה טָמֵא הוּא בָּאֵשׁ תִּשְׂרְפֶנּוּ פְּחֶתֶת הִוא בְּקָרַחְתּוֹ אוֹ בְגַבַּחְתּוֹ׃

English Translation

And the priest shall look after the plague is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed its colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is a decay on the inner or outer surface.

Transliteration

Ve-ra'a ha-kohen acharei hukabes et-ha-nega ve-hine lo-hafach ha-nega et-eino ve-ha-nega lo-fasa tame hu ba-esh tisrefenu pechetet hi be-korachto o ve-gavachto.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְרָאָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אַחֲרֵ֣י <b>׀</b> הֻכַּבֵּ֣ס אֶת־הַנֶּ֗גַע וְ֠הִנֵּ֠ה לֹֽא־הָפַ֨ךְ הַנֶּ֤גַע אֶת־עֵינוֹ֙ וְהַנֶּ֣גַע לֹֽא־פָשָׂ֔ה טָמֵ֣א ה֔וּא בָּאֵ֖שׁ תִּשְׂרְפֶ֑נּוּ פְּחֶ֣תֶת הִ֔וא בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹ א֥וֹ בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹ׃
וְרָאָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אַחֲרֵ֣י ׀ הֻכַּבֵּ֣ס אֶת־הַנֶּ֗גַע וְ֠הִנֵּ֠ה לֹֽא־הָפַ֨ךְ הַנֶּ֤גַע אֶת־עֵינוֹ֙ וְהַנֶּ֣גַע לֹֽא־פָשָׂ֔ה טָמֵ֣א ה֔וּא בָּאֵ֖שׁ תִּשְׂרְפֶ֑נּוּ פְּחֶ֣תֶת הִ֔וא בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹ א֥וֹ בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 13:55) is part of the Torah's detailed laws concerning tzara'at (often mistranslated as "leprosy"), a supernatural affliction that could appear on garments, houses, or human skin as a sign of spiritual impurity. The kohen (priest) plays a central role in diagnosing and declaring the status of the affliction.

Explanation of the Verse

The verse describes a scenario where a garment suspected of tzara'at is washed, and after inspection, the kohen observes that:

  • The plague (nega) has not changed its appearance (lo hafach et eino).
  • The plague has not spread (lo pasa).

Despite these observations, the garment is still declared tamei (ritually impure) and must be burned in fire. Rashi (Vayikra 13:55) explains that this ruling applies specifically when the discoloration remains exactly as it was before washing—neither fading nor intensifying. The garment is deemed impure because the plague's persistence indicates it is genuine tzara'at.

The Terms "Pchetet" and "Korachato/Bagabachto"

The verse concludes by describing the affliction as pchetet (a decay or erosion) in either korachato (the inner surface) or gabachato (the outer surface) of the garment. Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 16:1) clarifies that pchetet refers to a deterioration of the fabric's fibers, whether on the side worn against the skin (korachato) or the visible outer side (gabachato). The Talmud (Nega'im 11:4) further notes that these terms emphasize the thoroughness of the inspection—the kohen must examine all parts of the garment.

Spiritual Significance

According to the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 16:6), tzara'at on garments serves as a warning from Hashem, often resulting from sins like arrogance or selfishness. The requirement to burn the garment teaches that one must eradicate the root of spiritual decay, just as fire consumes the impure fabric. The Sforno (Vayikra 13:55) adds that the persistence of the plague after washing symbolizes the stubbornness of sin if not properly addressed through repentance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nega'im 2:4
The verse is referenced in the Mishnah discussing the laws of leprosy (tzara'at) and the priest's examination process, particularly regarding the unchanged appearance of the plague after washing.
📖 Shabbat 133b
The verse is alluded to in a discussion about the priestly duties and the detailed laws concerning leprosy, emphasizing the importance of following the Torah's instructions precisely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 13:55 mean?
A: Leviticus 13:55 discusses the laws of tzara'at (a spiritual skin affliction often mistranslated as 'leprosy'). The verse explains that if, after washing a garment with a suspicious mark, the mark hasn't changed color or spread, the priest declares it impure (tamei) and it must be burned. This teaches us about the Torah's detailed laws for maintaining ritual purity.
Q: Why is the priest involved in checking for tzara'at on clothing?
A: The priest (kohen) serves as a spiritual authority in determining purity and impurity. The Talmud (Arachin 16a) explains that tzara'at on garments or houses (unlike on skin) was a supernatural phenomenon in biblical times, serving as a warning for sins like lashon hara (evil speech). Only a trained kohen could properly evaluate and declare its status.
Q: What does 'it is a decay on the inner or outer surface' mean?
A: Rashi explains this phrase refers to where the mark appears - either on the 'inner' side (the part of the garment touching the skin) or 'outer' side (the visible part). The location helps determine if it's truly tzara'at. This shows the Torah's precision in these laws, as different rules applied based on where the mark appeared.
Q: How do these laws about tzara'at apply today?
A: While we don't have the Temple or functioning priesthood today to implement these laws literally, the Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at) explains they teach eternal spiritual lessons. The association with lashon hara reminds us to guard our speech, and the purification process teaches about repentance. Many see these as metaphors for spiritual 'stains' we must cleanse.
Q: Why does the Torah require burning the contaminated garment?
A: The Talmud (Shabbat 83a) explains that complete burning prevents the impurity from spreading. Metaphorically, just as fire purifies metal, this teaches that sometimes complete removal of negative influences is necessary for spiritual growth. The severity also emphasizes how seriously we should take spiritual contamination.