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Tazria (Leviticus 12-13 )

This week we have double Torah reading: Tazria-Metzora. Both Parshiyot deal with the laws of purity and impurity. The following verse and Rashi comment deals with laws of leprosy, a condition that is considered impure.

A very brief comment. Understanding it fully makes us aware of a lack of clarity in the text not usually noticed.

Leviticus 13:12

"And if leprosy breaks out abroad the skin; and the leprosy covers all the skin of the affliction from his head unto his feet, wherever the priest looks."

RASHI

From his head - Rashi: of the man unto his feet.

 

WHAT IS RASHI SAYING?

Because we are working in English, we must clarify something about these words in Hebrew. The Hebrew word "rosho" can mean either "his head" or "its head." The verse says "merosho v'ad raglav," which means either "from his head unto his feet" or "from its head unto its feet." Rashi tells us that the "leprosy covers all the man's skin from his head unto his feet."

Another Point: The main word in this section is "nega." This can be be translated as "plague," as "affliction," or as "sore." Of course the term "plague" implies that this sore is a Divine retribution and not just a naturally caused medical problem.

 

QUESTIONING RASHI

Now, back to the comment itself. This is one of those brief (Type II) comments when Rashi inserts his own words within the words of the Torah. These are meant to help us avoid a misunderstanding.

Which misunderstanding is Rashi helping us avoid here?

Hint: Look closely at the entire verse. Translate it to yourself so that you understand it fully.

Your Answer:

 

A POSSIBLE MISUNDERSTANDING?

Some English translations of the Torah [mis]translate our verse as follows: "If the leprosy will erupt on the skin and the leprosy will cover the entire skin of the affliction from his head to his feet, wherever the eyes of the priest can see it." Does this make sense to you? What do these words mean: "leprosy will cover the entire skin of the affliction ..." How can the leprosy cover the affliction? The "affliction" and the "leprosy" are the exact same thing. They both refer to the same area of the skin that is affected/afflicted. If so, how can the leprosy cover any less than the entire skin? The "cover" is the leprosy and the leprosy is the affliction.

So then what does this verse mean?

Your Answer:

 

UNDERSTANDING RASHI

The Hebrew phrase "v'chitsisah hatzara'as ais kol ore hanega me'rosho v'ad raglav..." is to be translated as follows: "and the leprosy covers all the skin of the person who has the affliction from his head to his feet..." The words in italics are to be added. This is to say that the Hebrew word "nega" does not mean "affliction"; rather, it means "the person with the affliction." If that is the case, then Rashi's comment is precise. He tells us that the words mean "From the head of the man [with the affliction] to his feet." Rashi intends to guard us against the possible misunderstanding that these words might mean "from the head (top) of the affliction to its feet (bottom)." Rather, the correct meaning is that this affliction (the leprosy) covers all the skin of the body of the afflicted person.

Can you find support for this interpretation which translates "nega" as "the person with the affliction" and not just as "affliction" alone?

Hint: Look at other verses in this section.

Your Answer:

 

EVIDENCE FOR THIS INTERPRETATION

An Answer: See the very next verse, where we see that all the skin of the person is covered:

"Then the priest shall see and behold the leprosy has covered all his flesh; he shall pronounce him clean that has the affliction. It is all turned white, he is clean."

Likewise, a previous verse - 13:4 - says:

 

"And if the bright spot ...then the priest shall shut away [the person who has] the affliction seven days."

Here too the word "nega" must mean the person who has the affliction and not just the affliction itself. The priest doesn't shut away "the affliction," rather he "shuts away the person who has the affliction."

 

 

A MORAL LESSON

We see from all this that the Torah equates the affliction ("nega") with the person who has the affliction. This is quite unusual, and the Torah may have done this to teach us something.

In this chapter (Leviticus 14:4), Rashi tells us that the plague of leprosy comes upon a person as punishment for his evil slander ("lashon hara"). We also know that Miriam, after she spoke against her brother Moses, was stricken with leprosy (see Numbers 12:). Several explanations have been offered as to why this punishment is meted out for this crime. Be that as it may, leprosy ("negaim") is the punishment.

A person commits "lashon hara" when he points out a fault of another person and implies that this one fault indicates that the whole character is blemished because of it - what is called "character assassination." The victim's whole character is attacked. One fault = the whole personality. How fitting, then, that the Torah, in its characteristically subtle way, should also equate the one "nega" with the person afflicted with the nega!

 

Shabbat Shalom,
Avigdor Bonchek

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