Parsha Tazria-Metzora Day 1 (Part 2): Leviticus 13:1-23 (Study Notes)
Parsha Tazria-Metzora Day 1 (Part 2): Leviticus 13:1-23 (Study Notes)
(Leviticus 13) Various forms of Skin Affections
After discussing the state of a woman after giving birth, we are immediately told about various skin affections and infections that can grow in wounds. While we can skip past the order of informmation given, we must understand that in Hashem’s wisdom, the order of information matters.
When we pause and consider why the discussions and commands about leprosy are given after the information about the birth of seeds, it follows the pattern in creation. Havah is the mother of all living. Her seeds, however, were born after her being was changed due to sin. This changed body is capable of developing diseases, illnesses, and death.
Thus, by pondering the order of information given here in Leviticus, we can understand better the isolation period of a woman after birth for the reasons stated above. And we can also consider that the new mother needs to be sure that one of the conditions listed below do not form in the wounds that might occur while giving birth.
The various forms of skin affections discussed in this chapter are commonly considered to be outward manifestations of sins in a person’s life. While this can be true (given some of the curses mentioned in Deuteronomy 27-28 that can occur for not keeping mitzvot) we must be careful not to categorize every affliction or disease as being due to sin.
We only need to remember the story of Job to know that sometimes a person is allowed to be afflicted with disease as a testing of his or her faith. In Job’s case, Satan asked Hashem if he could test Job because Satan was convinced that Job only served Hashem because of the blessings he received.
Upon Hashem’s approval, Satan afflicted Job with destruction and disease. Still, Job did not curse Hashem, and in the end Job’s faith was approved by Hashem as genuine and Job was blessed more abundantly than before the allowed testing.
Too, we can remember Moshe Rabbeinu. One of the signs that Moshe Rabbeinu was to show the Hebrews in Egypt was his hand turned leprous. He was to put his hand in his coat and when he removed his hand from his coat, the leprosy would be healed. This illness was to illustrate that Hashem had indeed sent Moshe Rabbeinu to free the Hebrews. It was in no way the same type of leprosy that befell Moshe’s sister, Miriam, when she and Aaron spoke badly about Moshe Rabbeinu in the wilderness.
We can learn from Miriam, however, that even when a skin affliction is due to sin, a miraculous messiah figure is not needed for healing. Rather, teshuvah while in exile was enough. After seven days, Miriam was healed. She rejoined the camp, and everyone moved forward.
Too, as we read these passages, we can learn about the various ways that Hashem’s perfect world of Gan Eden changed when the sin of Genesis 3 occurred—nothing stayed the same. All of Hashem’s creation changed for the worse. While we study the various negative affects, may we also remember that one day, prayerfully soon, all illness, affliction, pain, suffering, sorrow and death are promised to end. May we see the coming of moshiach, Hashem, and the restoration of global shalom and healing speedily in our days.
(Leviticus 13:2) Skin Rashes & Discoloration
We learn that in the giving of the original Torah, priests acted much like the community doctors. When a person is suspected of having a skin affection, he or she must be reported to the priest. Moshe Rabbeinu provides the skin conditions that must be reported as:
Swellings (like boils)
A rash
A discoloration.
(Leviticus 13:3-5) Priestly Examination
Upon receiving a report, a priest is to examine the community member’s affected area of their skin. If the affected area:
Has a white hair AND
The affected area appears deeper than the skin,
THEN the person is pronounced unclean by way of a leprous affection. The term leprosy is here used to describe many different medical conditions. From eczema, psoriasis, melanomas and more.
The ancient world did not have advanced medical diagnoses as we do today. So, simple signs were used to determine whether an individual should be separated or not. In this way, the Jewish community kept illness from spreading, as keeping the camp where Hashem dwelt among them clean for His holiness sake was of utmost importance. The added benefit of community well-being was also a blessing from such examinations.
(Leviticus 13:4) Clean or Unclean Skin Rash or Discoloration?
If upon examination, the affected area is:
A white patch that
Does not appear deeper than the skin AND
Does not have a white hair
THEN the person is to be isolated for seven days and reexamined by the priest on the eighth day. If upon reexamination:
The affection spread: the person is unclean with leprosy.
The affection faded: the person is pronounced clean.
There is no spreading but also no change in color: the person is to be isolated another seven days. After the second isolation, they are to be reexamined by the priest, who will again uphold the above stated determinations.
(Leviticus 13:18-23) Scars vs. Infection
If you have ever had a cut, you know that without proper care, the cut can easily become infected with bacterial infections both minor and serious, like cellulitis. If you or a loved one have ever had a wound while living in a communal living space, one of the main modern medical infections that is monitored closely for is MRSA. The following examinations are likely in such a category of skin affections.
After a wound has healed, the affected person must examine the affected area. If the area shows:
White swelling
White discoloration with red streaks
THEN the person must be seen by a priest.
If upon examination the priest determines that the skin of the affected area is:
lower than the rest of the skin (indicating a type of necrotic condition), AND
The hair on the skin turned white
THEN the person is unclean by way of a leprous affection.
If upon examination the affected skin:
Has no white hair,
Is not lower than the skin, AND
The white swelling with red streaks has faded,
THEN the person must be separated for seven days and reexamined again on the eighth day. If upon reexamination the affected area:
Spread: the person is pronounced unclean by way of leprosy.
Remains unchanged and has not spread: the person is pronounced clean and the affected area is considered normal scar tissue.
Since all of this can seem mundane, let me describe a real world experience to put it all in perspective.
Back in 2018, I was working for an emergency animal hospital. One day I was bitten by a very old dog who clearly had not had his oral hygiene needs cared for in a while. After seeking immediate medical attention, I was sent home with antibiotics and was told I should be ok, since it is cat bites that usually cause infections not bites of dogs. Needless to say I was given a list of signs to watch for, much like the lists provided above.
For a week, things seemed like they were on the mend. Then suddenly, one day I awoke with the skin of my affected hand so swollen that the flesh appeared extra white, with red splotches. The skin was painful even to a drop of water.
Examining my arm of the affected side, there were red streaks leading to the lymph node in my elbow, which had swelled to the size of a golf ball. This sign specifically I knew was most worrisome. I immediately went back to the hospital that saw me initially. They ran blood work and immediately admitted me to the hospital for treatment of systemic sepsis.
Having experienced such a skin affliction, the signs and lists provided in scripture became real and clear. Such a situation shows how good our God is—to those without a regular doctor or medical care, He provides us with enough information for us to know when the body He created is out of order and in need of attention.
While Hashem used my situation for other of His purposes that I will not go into here, it is clear that even in our times of sickness, He is the great and one True healer.
One day, may it be speedily in our days, we will not need such laws for determining sickness because all illness will cease to exist when the days of moshiach arrive and the wisdom of Hashem will cover the earth as water covers the sea.
From such wisdom, righteousness will reign through mitzvot keeping, which is the promised key to eternal blessings. May we see that day without delay, to the glory of Hashem!