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Leviticus 13:59 - Purifying garments' spiritual stains?

Leviticus 13:59 - ויקרא 13:59

Hebrew Text

זֹאת תּוֹרַת נֶגַע־צָרַעַת בֶּגֶד הַצֶּמֶר אוֹ הַפִּשְׁתִּים אוֹ הַשְּׁתִי אוֹ הָעֵרֶב אוֹ כָּל־כְּלִי־עוֹר לְטַהֲרוֹ אוֹ לְטַמְּאוֹ׃

English Translation

This is the Tora of the plague of żara῾at in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or anything of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.

Transliteration

Zot torat nega-tzara'at beged hatzemer o hapishtim o hashti o ha'erev o kol-kli-or letaharo o letame'o.

Hebrew Leining Text

זֹ֠את תּוֹרַ֨ת נֶֽגַע־צָרַ֜עַת בֶּ֥גֶד הַצֶּ֣מֶר <b>׀</b> א֣וֹ הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗ים א֤וֹ הַשְּׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ הָעֵ֔רֶב א֖וֹ כׇּל־כְּלִי־ע֑וֹר לְטַהֲר֖וֹ א֥וֹ לְטַמְּאֽוֹ׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
זֹ֠את תּוֹרַ֨ת נֶֽגַע־צָרַ֜עַת בֶּ֥גֶד הַצֶּ֣מֶר ׀ א֣וֹ הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗ים א֤וֹ הַשְּׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ הָעֵ֔רֶב א֖וֹ כׇּל־כְּלִי־ע֑וֹר לְטַהֲר֖וֹ א֥וֹ לְטַמְּאֽוֹ׃ {פ}

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Parasha Commentary

Overview of the Verse

The verse (Vayikra 13:59) outlines the laws concerning tzara'at (often mistranslated as "leprosy") that afflicts garments or leather items. Unlike human tzara'at, which is a spiritual affliction often linked to lashon hara (evil speech), garment tzara'at serves as a divine sign requiring purification or condemnation based on the Kohen's examination.

Key Terms and Their Meanings

  • צֶמֶר (wool) and פִּשְׁתִּים (linen): These materials are specified because they are commonly used for clothing. The Torah emphasizes that holiness (or impurity) extends even to one's possessions (Rashi, Vayikra 13:47).
  • שְׁתִי (warp) and עֵרֶב (woof): These refer to the woven threads in fabric. The affliction can appear in any part of the garment's construction (Rambam, Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 16:1).
  • טַהֲרוֹ (to purify) or טַמְּאוֹ (to declare impure): The Kohen's role is decisive—only he can determine the status of the garment (Sifra, Metzora 9).

Spiritual Significance

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 16:6) teaches that garment tzara'at serves as a warning from Hashem. If a person engages in sinful behavior (particularly lashon hara), their possessions may become afflicted before the punishment reaches their body. This is meant to inspire repentance.

Halachic Implications

According to the Rambam (Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 16:10), the laws of garment tzara'at apply only when the Jewish people are fully settled in Eretz Yisrael and the Sanhedrin functions. Today, these laws are not practiced, but they remain a lesson in vigilance over one's speech and actions.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nega'im 11:1
The verse is referenced in the Mishnah within Tractate Nega'im, which discusses the laws of leprosy (żara῾at) in garments, aligning with the biblical instructions on how to determine cleanliness or uncleanness.
📖 Shabbat 28a
The verse is alluded to in a discussion about the materials (wool and linen) mentioned in the context of leprosy in garments, connecting to broader halachic discussions on these materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse about 'tzara'at' on clothing mean?
A: This verse (Leviticus 13:59) discusses the laws of 'tzara'at' (often mistranslated as leprosy) appearing on clothing or leather items. According to Rashi and Jewish tradition, this was a supernatural discoloration that served as a Divine warning for sins like gossip or arrogance. The verse explains the process for a kohen (priest) to examine and declare the item pure or impure.
Q: Why is tzara'at on clothing important in Judaism?
A: Tzara'at on clothing is important because it teaches that spiritual flaws can manifest even in our possessions. The Talmud (Arachin 16a) explains this was a wake-up call to repent from negative speech or pride. Unlike regular stains, this required a kohen's inspection, showing how seriously Judaism takes moral improvement.
Q: How does tzara'at on clothes apply today without the Temple?
A: While we no longer have tzara'at today (as it required the Temple and kohanim), the Rambam teaches its lessons remain relevant. The discoloration appearing first on one's house, then clothes, then body (as described in later verses) shows Hashem gives gradual warnings to correct behavior - a lesson in heeding early signs we need spiritual growth.
Q: What's the difference between wool and linen in these laws?
A: The verse specifies wool and linen because these were the primary fabrics in ancient times. The Midrash notes deeper meaning: wool represents warmth (like Jacob's sheepskin) while linen represents coolness (like Joseph's fine linen coat) - teaching that tzara'at can affect us whether we're in 'heated' conflict or 'cool' complacency.
Q: What does 'to pronounce it clean or unclean' mean practically?
A: As explained in Mishnah Negaim, the kohen would quarantine suspicious stains for 7-14 days. If it spread, the item was burned (Vayikra 13:52); if not, it was purified through washing. This process, done only by a kohen, showed that spiritual status isn't determined by appearances alone, but through Torah-guided judgment.