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Leviticus 14:45 - Purifying contaminated homes

Leviticus 14:45 - ויקרא 14:45

Hebrew Text

וְנָתַץ אֶת־הַבַּיִת אֶת־אֲבָנָיו וְאֶת־עֵצָיו וְאֵת כָּל־עֲפַר הַבָּיִת וְהוֹצִיא אֶל־מִחוּץ לָעִיר אֶל־מָקוֹם טָמֵא׃

English Translation

And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and its timber, and all the mortar of the house; and he shall carry them out of the city into an unclean place.

Transliteration

Venatatz et-habayit et-avanaiv ve'et-etzav ve'et kol-afar habayit vehotzi el-michutz la'ir el-makom tame.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְנָתַ֣ץ אֶת־הַבַּ֗יִת אֶת־אֲבָנָיו֙ וְאֶת־עֵצָ֔יו וְאֵ֖ת כׇּל־עֲפַ֣ר הַבָּ֑יִת וְהוֹצִיא֙ אֶל־מִח֣וּץ לָעִ֔יר אֶל־מָק֖וֹם טָמֵֽא׃
וְנָתַ֣ץ אֶת־הַבַּ֗יִת אֶת־אֲבָנָיו֙ וְאֶת־עֵצָ֔יו וְאֵ֖ת כׇּל־עֲפַ֣ר הַבָּ֑יִת וְהוֹצִיא֙ אֶל־מִח֣וּץ לָעִ֔יר אֶל־מָק֖וֹם טָמֵֽא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 14:45) describes the procedure for dealing with a house afflicted with tzara'at (often mistranslated as "leprosy") that cannot be purified. The Torah mandates the complete demolition of such a house, with its materials removed to an unclean place outside the city.

Explanation of the Demolition Process

Rashi explains that the requirement to dismantle the house entirely—stones, timber, and mortar—serves two purposes:

  • Spiritual Purification: The thorough destruction ensures no trace of impurity remains, as the tzara'at may have penetrated deeply into the materials.
  • Public Awareness: The dramatic act serves as a warning to the community about the spiritual consequences of lashon hara (evil speech), which our Sages associate with tzara'at.

Symbolism of the "Unclean Place"

The Rambam (Hilchot Tum'at Tzara'at 16:10) emphasizes that the materials must be taken to a place designated as ritually impure. This teaches that:

  • Impurity must be completely separated from the community's living space.
  • The disposal location's impurity prevents anyone from attempting to salvage and reuse the condemned materials.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Moed Katan 12b) derives from this verse important principles about dealing with impurity:

  • The obligation to remove all materials teaches that partial compliance is insufficient in matters of spiritual purity.
  • The requirement to take materials outside the city establishes that impurity must be removed from areas of human habitation.

Moral Lessons

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 17:6) connects this physical purification process to spiritual repair:

  • Just as the house must be completely cleared of impurity, so must we thoroughly remove negative traits from our character.
  • The public nature of the demolition serves as a reminder that our actions affect the entire community.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Moed Katan 12a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the laws of demolishing a house afflicted with leprosy (tzara'at) and the impurity associated with it.
📖 Sanhedrin 71a
The verse is cited in the context of discussing the laws of a 'rebellious house' (bayit hamenuga) and the procedures for its demolition as prescribed in the Torah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 14:45 mean?
A: Leviticus 14:45 describes the process of dealing with a house afflicted with tzara'at (a spiritual affliction often mistranslated as 'leprosy'). If the affliction spreads after initial purification efforts, the entire house must be demolished—stones, wood, and mortar—and the materials taken to an unclean place outside the city. This teaches the seriousness of spiritual impurity in Jewish law (Rashi, Vayikra 14:45).
Q: Why is breaking down the house necessary for tzara'at?
A: Breaking down the house is necessary because tzara'at is not just a physical condition but a spiritual one, often associated with sins like lashon hara (evil speech). The Torah requires complete removal to prevent the impurity from affecting others and to motivate repentance (Talmud Arachin 16a; Rambam, Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 16:10).
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 14:45 today?
A: This verse teaches that negative influences—whether spiritual, moral, or social—must be completely removed from our lives and communities. Just as the contaminated house was dismantled, we must actively eliminate harmful behaviors or environments (Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 17:7).
Q: Why were the materials taken to an 'unclean place' outside the city?
A: The unclean place (mekom tamei) symbolizes complete separation from the holy community. The Torah emphasizes that impurity must not remain near living spaces, teaching the value of maintaining spiritual and physical cleanliness in Jewish life (Rashi, Vayikra 14:45; Mishnah Negaim 13:11).
Q: Does this law about houses with tzara'at apply today?
A: While the laws of tzara'at on houses do not practically apply today (as they require the presence of the Temple and a Kohen's declaration), the spiritual lessons remain relevant: we must address moral 'afflictions' promptly and thoroughly (Rambam, Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at 11:6; Chazon Ish, Taharot 15:6).