וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר׃

The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron. Since the priests play an active role in matters of leprosy, God also addresses Aaron, who is the representative of all priests throughout the generations, saying:

אָדָ֗ם כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֤ה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂרוֹ֙ שְׂאֵ֤ת אֽוֹ־סַפַּ֙חַת֙ א֣וֹ בַהֶ֔רֶת וְהָיָ֥ה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ לְנֶ֣גַע צָרָ֑עַת וְהוּבָא֙ אֶל־אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֔ן א֛וֹ אֶל־אַחַ֥ד מִבָּנָ֖יו הַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃

A man or a woman, whether an adult or a child, when he shall have in the skin of his flesh a spot, or a scab, or a bright spot, which are various types of skin discolorations, and it shall become in the skin of his flesh a mark of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the priests, who are the ruling authorities on matters of leprosy.

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֣ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֣גַע בְּעֽוֹר־הַ֠בָּשָׂר וְשֵׂעָ֨ר בַּנֶּ֜גַע הָפַ֣ךְ ׀ לָבָ֗ן וּמַרְאֵ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ עָמֹק֙ מֵע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְרָאָ֥הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְטִמֵּ֥א אֹתֽוֹ׃

The priest shall examine the mark, which is like a white spot on the skin of the flesh. If hair in the mark turned white, which shows that the mark is not superficial but reaches the roots of the hair, so that even the hair turns white as a result, and in addition the appearance of the mark is deeper than the skin of his flesh, although the mark is on the skin, its color or some other quality causes it to appear as though it were sunk deep into the skin, these facts indicate that it is the mark of leprosy in all aspects. Therefore, the priest shall see it and pronounce it impure, a declaration that establishes this person as a leper.

וְאִם־בַּהֶרֶת֩ לְבָנָ֨ה הִ֜וא בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֗וֹ וְעָמֹק֙ אֵין־מַרְאֶ֣הָ מִן־הָע֔וֹר וּשְׂעָרָ֖ה לֹא־הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֑ן וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֖גַע שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

On the other hand, if it is a bright white spot on the skin of his flesh but there are no other symptoms, and its appearance is not deeper than the skin, and its hair did not turn white, the priest shall issue a ruling to quarantine the person with the mark for seven days for a follow-up examination. Some maintain that the priest first marks the boundaries of the initial discoloration.

וְרָאָ֣הוּ הַכֹּהֵן֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒ וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ עָמַ֣ד בְּעֵינָ֔יו לֹֽא־פָשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בָּע֑וֹר וְהִסְגִּיר֧וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית׃

The priest shall examine it, the mark, once again on the seventh day of the quarantine; and behold, if the mark maintained its previous appearance, and the mark did not spread on the skin and grow beyond its original size, then the priest shall quarantine the person with it seven days again.

וְרָאָה֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן אֹת֜וֹ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֮ שֵׁנִית֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ כֵּהָ֣ה הַנֶּ֔גַע וְלֹא־פָשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בָּע֑וֹר וְטִהֲר֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ מִסְפַּ֣חַת הִ֔יא וְכִבֶּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָהֵֽר׃

The priest shall examine it on the seventh day again, for the third time; and behold, the mark has faded, as its whiteness has waned, or at least the mark did not spread on the skin ,

וְאִם־פָּשֹׂ֨ה תִפְשֶׂ֤ה הַמִּסְפַּ֙חַת֙ בָּע֔וֹר אַחֲרֵ֧י הֵרָאֹת֛וֹ אֶל־הַכֹּהֵ֖ן לְטָהֳרָת֑וֹ וְנִרְאָ֥ה שֵׁנִ֖ית אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

But if the scab spread on the skin, the affected area grew, after he was shown to the priest at the end of the first quarantine for the sake of his purification, he shall be examined again by the priest.

וְרָאָה֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשְׂתָ֥ה הַמִּסְפַּ֖חַת בָּע֑וֹר וְטִמְּא֥וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן צָרַ֥עַת הִֽוא׃ (פ)

The priest shall examine; and behold, the scab spread on the skin, the priest shall pronounce him impure: It is leprosy.

נֶ֣גַע צָרַ֔עַת כִּ֥י תִהְיֶ֖ה בְּאָדָ֑ם וְהוּבָ֖א אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

It has been established that in order for the priest to determine that a mark is leprosy, he must find one of two indications: Either white hair, or the spreading of the mark during the days of quarantine. The Torah now presents another sign: A mark of leprosy, when it is on a person, he shall be brought to the priest.

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה שְׂאֵת־לְבָנָה֙ בָּע֔וֹר וְהִ֕יא הָפְכָ֖ה שֵׂעָ֣ר לָבָ֑ן וּמִֽחְיַ֛ת בָּשָׂ֥ר חַ֖י בַּשְׂאֵֽת׃

The priest shall examine; and behold, if there be a white spot on the skin, and it changed its appearance and turned the hair found in it white, or there is a growth of raw flesh in the spot, meaning that on the affected area there appears tissue that looks altogether healthy,

צָרַ֨עַת נוֹשֶׁ֤נֶת הִוא֙ בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וְטִמְּא֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֑ן לֹ֣א יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּ כִּ֥י טָמֵ֖א הֽוּא׃

it is an old, extended leprosy in the skin of his flesh; the priest shall pronounce him impure. The growth of healthy flesh does not render the mark pure; on the contrary, it is an indication that it is old leprosy. He, the priest, shall not quarantine him, since this is unnecessary, as he, the afflicted individual, is immediately declared impure.

וְאִם־פָּר֨וֹחַ תִּפְרַ֤ח הַצָּרַ֙עַת֙ בָּע֔וֹר וְכִסְּתָ֣ה הַצָּרַ֗עַת אֵ֚ת כָּל־ע֣וֹר הַנֶּ֔גַע מֵרֹאשׁ֖וֹ וְעַד־רַגְלָ֑יו לְכָל־מַרְאֵ֖ה עֵינֵ֥י הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

There is a case which contrasts with the previous instances of impurity: And if the leprosy shall erupt, as the discoloration grows larger and larger on the skin, and the leprosy shall cover all the skin of the mark from his head to his feet, for the entire view of the eyes of the priest, meaning that all of the skin exposed to the priest became lighter in color, like the shade of the mark,

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֨ה כִסְּתָ֤ה הַצָּרַ֙עַת֙ אֶת־כָּל־בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וְטִהַ֖ר אֶת־הַנָּ֑גַע כֻּלּ֛וֹ הָפַ֥ךְ לָבָ֖ן טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא׃

the priest shall examine; and behold, the leprosy covered all his flesh, as no exposed portion remains unaffected; he shall pronounce the mark pure. Since it turned white in its entirety, it is pure. A single spot on a person’s skin renders him ritually impure, but if the leprosy erupts over his entire body, he is pure.

וּבְי֨וֹם הֵרָא֥וֹת בּ֛וֹ בָּשָׂ֥ר חַ֖י יִטְמָֽא׃

But on the day that raw flesh appears on him, and some of his flesh regains its natural appearance, only then he shall be impure.

וְרָאָ֧ה הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־הַבָּשָׂ֥ר הַחַ֖י וְטִמְּא֑וֹ הַבָּשָׂ֥ר הַחַ֛י טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא צָרַ֥עַת הֽוּא׃

The priest shall examine the raw flesh and pronounce it impure; the raw flesh is impure: It is leprosy. Paradoxically, if one’s entire body is covered by leprosy, he is pure, but if only part of his body is affected, he is impure.

א֣וֹ כִ֥י יָשׁ֛וּב הַבָּשָׂ֥ר הַחַ֖י וְנֶהְפַּ֣ךְ לְלָבָ֑ן וּבָ֖א אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

Or if some raw flesh appears, so that he is rendered impure, and then the raw flesh is restored and turns white, he shall come to the priest.

וְרָאָ֙הוּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ הַנֶּ֖גַע לְלָבָ֑ן וְטִהַ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֖גַע טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא׃ (פ)

The priest shall examine him; and behold, the skin affected by the mark turned white, the priest shall pronounce the mark to be pure: It is once again pure.

וּבָשָׂ֕ר כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה בֽוֹ־בְעֹר֖וֹ שְׁחִ֑ין וְנִרְפָּֽא׃

The section so far has dealt with a mark that appears on healthy skin. However, a leprous mark can also appear in a different manner: Flesh, when there is in its skin a rash that is healed,

וְהָיָ֞ה בִּמְק֤וֹם הַשְּׁחִין֙ שְׂאֵ֣ת לְבָנָ֔ה א֥וֹ בַהֶ֖רֶת לְבָנָ֣ה אֲדַמְדָּ֑מֶת וְנִרְאָ֖ה אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

on the place of the rash, where the skin has not yet fully mended, there is a white spot, or a white-red bright spot. This new form of leprosy, which is red and white in color, is referred to by the Sages as a patukh . It shall be shown to the priest.

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה מַרְאֶ֙הָ֙ שָׁפָ֣ל מִן־הָע֔וֹר וּשְׂעָרָ֖הּ הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֑ן וְטִמְּא֧וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן נֶֽגַע־צָרַ֥עַת הִ֖וא בַּשְּׁחִ֥ין פָּרָֽחָה׃

The priest shall examine; and behold, its appearance, the appearance of the bright spot, is lower than the skin, and its hair turned white, which, as stated above (verse 3), is one of the indications of impurity, the priest shall pronounce it impure: It is a mark of leprosy, as it erupted in the place where there had earlier been a rash.

וְאִ֣ם ׀ יִרְאֶ֣נָּה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵֽין־בָּהּ֙ שֵׂעָ֣ר לָבָ֔ן וּשְׁפָלָ֥ה אֵינֶ֛נָּה מִן־הָע֖וֹר וְהִ֣יא כֵהָ֑ה וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

But if the priest shall examine it, and behold, there is no white hair in it, and it is not lower than the skin, and it is faded, meaning that its whiteness is relatively weak, and therefore it does not appear to be lower than the skin, and some explain that the word “not” applies to both clauses, for it is neither lower nor faded, then the priest shall quarantine him in a specific place (see verse 4) for seven days.

וְאִם־פָּשֹׂ֥ה תִפְשֶׂ֖ה בָּע֑וֹר וְטִמֵּ֧א הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֹת֖וֹ נֶ֥גַע הִֽוא׃

After seven days he is examined once again, and if it shall spread on the skin, the priest shall pronounce him impure: It is a mark.

וְאִם־תַּחְתֶּ֜יהָ תַּעֲמֹ֤ד הַבַּהֶ֙רֶת֙ לֹ֣א פָשָׂ֔תָה צָרֶ֥בֶת הַשְּׁחִ֖ין הִ֑וא וְטִהֲר֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ (ס)

But if the bright spot shall remain in place, meaning that it stays the same size, and it did not spread, it is a scar of the rash. It is merely the natural consequence of an inflammation and has no significance with regard to ritual purity or impurity, and therefore the priest shall pronounce him pure.

א֣וֹ בָשָׂ֔ר כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה בְעֹר֖וֹ מִכְוַת־אֵ֑שׁ וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה מִֽחְיַ֣ת הַמִּכְוָ֗ה בַּהֶ֛רֶת לְבָנָ֥ה אֲדַמְדֶּ֖מֶת א֥וֹ לְבָנָֽה׃

The verse states a similar case: Or flesh, when there is on its skin a burn by fire, and the healed flesh of the burn became a bright spot, reddish white, or white,

וְרָאָ֣ה אֹתָ֣הּ הַכֹּהֵ֡ן וְהִנֵּ֣ה נֶהְפַּךְ֩ שֵׂעָ֨ר לָבָ֜ן בַּבַּהֶ֗רֶת וּמַרְאֶ֙הָ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן־הָע֔וֹר צָרַ֣עַת הִ֔וא בַּמִּכְוָ֖ה פָּרָ֑חָה וְטִמֵּ֤א אֹתוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת הִֽוא׃

the priest shall examine it; and behold, hair in the bright spot turned white, and its appearance is deeper than the skin, it is leprosy that erupted in the spot of the burn; the priest shall pronounce him impure: It is a mark of leprosy.

וְאִ֣ם ׀ יִרְאֶ֣נָּה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵֽין־בַּבֶּהֶ֙רֶת֙ שֵׂעָ֣ר לָבָ֔ן וּשְׁפָלָ֥ה אֵינֶ֛נָּה מִן־הָע֖וֹר וְהִ֣וא כֵהָ֑ה וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

But if the priest shall examine it, and behold, there is no white hair in the bright spot, and it is no lower than the skin, and it is faded (see verse 21), the priest shall quarantine him seven days.

וְרָאָ֥הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑י אִם־פָּשֹׂ֤ה תִפְשֶׂה֙ בָּע֔וֹר וְטִמֵּ֤א הַכֹּהֵן֙ אֹת֔וֹ נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת הִֽוא׃

The priest shall examine him on the seventh day; if the bright spot has spread on the skin, the priest shall pronounce him impure, because it is a mark of leprosy.

וְאִם־תַּחְתֶּיהָ֩ תַעֲמֹ֨ד הַבַּהֶ֜רֶת לֹא־פָשְׂתָ֤ה בָעוֹר֙ וְהִ֣וא כֵהָ֔ה שְׂאֵ֥ת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְטִֽהֲרוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן כִּֽי־צָרֶ֥בֶת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִֽוא׃ (פ)

But if the bright spot remains in its place and has not spread on the skin, and it is faded, it is not as bright as it was at the outset, it is the spot of the burn; the priest shall pronounce him pure, as it is the scar of the burn.

וְאִישׁ֙ א֣וֹ אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ נָ֑גַע בְּרֹ֖אשׁ א֥וֹ בְזָקָֽן׃

The section has discussed marks found on exposed skin, whether it is hairy or smooth; it now shifts to marks found on areas with a high concentration of hair. A man or woman, when there shall be a mark on a head or on a beard,

וְרָאָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֗גַע וְהִנֵּ֤ה מַרְאֵ֙הוּ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן־הָע֔וֹר וּב֛וֹ שֵׂעָ֥ר צָהֹ֖ב דָּ֑ק וְטִמֵּ֨א אֹת֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ נֶ֣תֶק ה֔וּא צָרַ֧עַת הָרֹ֛אשׁ א֥וֹ הַזָּקָ֖ן הֽוּא׃

the priest shall examine the mark, which might be the symptom of an illness, the result of an accident, or perhaps a sign of leprosy. And behold, its appearance is deeper than the skin, and there is yellow, thin hair in it. The priest shall pronounce it impure: It is a scall; it is leprosy of the head or of the beard.

וְכִֽי־יִרְאֶ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־נֶ֣גַע הַנֶּ֗תֶק וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵין־מַרְאֵ֙הוּ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן־הָע֔וֹר וְשֵׂעָ֥ר שָׁחֹ֖ר אֵ֣ין בּ֑וֹ וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־נֶ֥גַע הַנֶּ֖תֶק שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

When the priest examines the mark of the scall, and behold, its appearance is not deeper than the skin, and yet there is no black hair in it, as would be found on a healthy head, since black is the most common hair color among Jews, the priest shall quarantine the mark of the scall seven days.

וְרָאָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֣ן אֶת־הַנֶּגַע֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ לֹא־פָשָׂ֣ה הַנֶּ֔תֶק וְלֹא־הָ֥יָה ב֖וֹ שֵׂעָ֣ר צָהֹ֑ב וּמַרְאֵ֣ה הַנֶּ֔תֶק אֵ֥ין עָמֹ֖ק מִן־הָעֽוֹר׃

The priest shall examine the mark on the seventh day; and behold, the scall did not spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the appearance of the scall is not deeper than the skin.

וְהִ֨תְגַּלָּ֔ח וְאֶת־הַנֶּ֖תֶק לֹ֣א יְגַלֵּ֑חַ וְהִסְגִּ֨יר הַכֹּהֵ֧ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֛תֶק שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית׃

In this case the mark must be re-examined. He, the quarantined leper, shall be shaved, one must shave the hair surrounding the mark, but the hair growing in the scall itself or along its edges he shall not shave . This enables the priest to examine the edges of the mark and follow its progress. And the priest shall quarantine the scall seven days again, a kind of intermediate stage between impurity and purity.

וְרָאָה֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֜תֶק בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י וְ֠הִנֵּה לֹא־פָשָׂ֤ה הַנֶּ֙תֶק֙ בָּע֔וֹר וּמַרְאֵ֕הוּ אֵינֶ֥נּוּ עָמֹ֖ק מִן־הָע֑וֹר וְטִהַ֤ר אֹתוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְכִבֶּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָהֵֽר׃

The priest shall examine the scall once again on the seventh day; and behold, the scall did not spread in the skin, and its appearance is not deeper than the skin, the priest shall pronounce it pure; and he shall wash his garments and be purified.

וְאִם־פָּשֹׂ֥ה יִפְשֶׂ֛ה הַנֶּ֖תֶק בָּע֑וֹר אַחֲרֵ֖י טָהֳרָתֽוֹ׃

But if the scall did not spread during the period that the leper was quarantined, and yet it shall spread on the skin after his purification,

וְרָאָ֙הוּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖תֶק בָּע֑וֹר לֹֽא־יְבַקֵּ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן לַשֵּׂעָ֥ר הַצָּהֹ֖ב טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא׃

the priest shall examine him; and behold, the scall spread on the skin, and therefore the priest shall not have to inspect for the yellow hair and see whether or not there is any yellow hair in it, as in any case it is impure. The spread of the scall alone is confirmation of the impurity of the mark.

וְאִם־בְּעֵינָיו֩ עָמַ֨ד הַנֶּ֜תֶק וְשֵׂעָ֨ר שָׁחֹ֧ר צָֽמַח־בּ֛וֹ נִרְפָּ֥א הַנֶּ֖תֶק טָה֣וֹר ה֑וּא וְטִהֲר֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ (ס)

But if the scall maintained its appearance after the quarantine, and black hair grew in it, it is a sign that the scall has healed, it is pure. The priest shall pronounce it pure. Although the scall healed and there is no longer any reason for it to be impure, the priest must declare and establish its purity.

וְאִישׁ֙ אֽוֹ־אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂרָ֖ם בֶּהָרֹ֑ת בֶּהָרֹ֖ת לְבָנֹֽת׃

Next, the Torah deals with a case similar to that of a scall with black hair in it, which is not an impure mark: A man or a woman, if there will be in the skin of their flesh bright spots, bright white spots,

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֧ה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂרָ֛ם בֶּהָרֹ֖ת כֵּה֣וֹת לְבָנֹ֑ת בֹּ֥הַק ה֛וּא פָּרַ֥ח בָּע֖וֹר טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא׃ (ס)

the priest shall examine; and behold, the bright spots in the skin of their flesh are faded white, whitish but not pure white, it is a tetter, a certain skin disease , that erupted on the skin, and therefore it is pure.

וְאִ֕ישׁ כִּ֥י יִמָּרֵ֖ט רֹאשׁ֑וֹ קֵרֵ֥חַ ה֖וּא טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא׃

Having presented the halakhot of marks on the flesh and marks on the hairy part of the head, the Torah adds: A man, if the hair of his head falls out for any reason, he is merely bald; he is pure, as baldness in itself has no significance with respect to the halakhot of ritual impurity. Since baldness is more common among men, the verse refers to a man.

וְאִם֙ מִפְּאַ֣ת פָּנָ֔יו יִמָּרֵ֖ט רֹאשׁ֑וֹ גִּבֵּ֥חַ ה֖וּא טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא׃

And likewise, if on the front side of his face the hair of his head falls , he is frontally bald; this too is a natural phenomenon, and therefore he is pure.

וְכִֽי־יִהְיֶ֤ה בַקָּרַ֙חַת֙ א֣וֹ בַגַּבַּ֔חַת נֶ֖גַע לָבָ֣ן אֲדַמְדָּ֑ם צָרַ֤עַת פֹּרַ֙חַת֙ הִ֔וא בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹ א֥וֹ בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹ׃

But when there is on the bald head, or the bald forehead, a reddish-white mark, a white mark with a reddish hue, it is leprosy erupting on his bald head or on his bald forehead.

וְרָאָ֨ה אֹת֜וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה שְׂאֵת־הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ לְבָנָ֣ה אֲדַמְדֶּ֔מֶת בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹ א֣וֹ בְגַבַּחְתּ֑וֹ כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה צָרַ֖עַת ע֥וֹר בָּשָֽׂר׃

The priest shall examine it; and behold, if the spot of the mark is reddish white on his bald head, or on his bald forehead, and it is like the appearance of ordinary leprosy in the skin of the flesh,

אִישׁ־צָר֥וּעַ ה֖וּא טָמֵ֣א ה֑וּא טַמֵּ֧א יְטַמְּאֶ֛נּוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בְּרֹאשׁ֥וֹ נִגְעֽוֹ׃

he is a leprous man, he is impure; the priest shall pronounce him impure: His mark is on his head. This is like the ordinary leprosy of the skin, except for the fact that it lacks the sign of impurity which stems from the color of the hair, as it appears on a bald spot of the head. Even if a small amount of white hair grew on the mark in the bald area, it would not necessarily be a sign of impurity.

וְהַצָּר֜וּעַ אֲשֶׁר־בּ֣וֹ הַנֶּ֗גַע בְּגָדָ֞יו יִהְי֤וּ פְרֻמִים֙ וְרֹאשׁוֹ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה פָר֔וּעַ וְעַל־שָׂפָ֖ם יַעְטֶ֑ה וְטָמֵ֥א ׀ טָמֵ֖א יִקְרָֽא׃

After explaining the various appearances of leprous marks, the Torah addresses the halakhot governing the leper himself: And the leper in whom the mark is, and whom the priest has pronounced as a leper, his garments shall be rent. He must tear his garments, among other reasons, as a sign of mourning. And the hair of his head shall be grown out . Some explain that this means that his hair shall be uncovered. And he shall cover his mouth and his upper lip with his outer garment and shall cry: Impure, impure, thereby informing others of his ritually impure status.

כָּל־יְמֵ֞י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הַנֶּ֥גַע בּ֛וֹ יִטְמָ֖א טָמֵ֣א ה֑וּא בָּדָ֣ד יֵשֵׁ֔ב מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה מוֹשָׁבֽוֹ׃ (ס)

All the days that the mark is on him he shall be impure; he is impure; he shall live alone; outside the camp is his dwelling, where he is cut off almost entirely from human society.

וְהַבֶּ֕גֶד כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ נֶ֣גַע צָרָ֑עַת בְּבֶ֣גֶד צֶ֔מֶר א֖וֹ בְּבֶ֥גֶד פִּשְׁתִּֽים׃

The garment, if there shall be in it a mark of leprosy, whether in a woolen garment, or in a linen garment. This verse is not referring to a spot caused by some external factor or one that can easily be removed through rinsing and the like, but to an abnormal mark growing on the garment through no apparent cause.

א֤וֹ בִֽשְׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ בְעֵ֔רֶב לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖ים וְלַצָּ֑מֶר א֣וֹ בְע֔וֹר א֖וֹ בְּכָל־מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֽוֹר׃

Such a mark might be found not only on a woven garment: Or in the warp, the threads that runs lengthwise in a woven fabric, or in the woof, the threads that run crosswise in such a fabric, at right angles to the warp threads, for linen or for wool, or in leather, used for clothing or as an implement, e.g., a jacket or rug made from the hide of an animal without further processing. The verse concludes the list of materials: Or in anything made of leather, an implement made from, among other materials, leather pieces or strips.

וְהָיָ֨ה הַנֶּ֜גַע יְרַקְרַ֣ק ׀ א֣וֹ אֲדַמְדָּ֗ם בַּבֶּגֶד֩ א֨וֹ בָע֜וֹר אֽוֹ־בַשְּׁתִ֤י אוֹ־בָעֵ֙רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בְכָל־כְּלִי־ע֔וֹר נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְהָרְאָ֖ה אֶת־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃

If the mark was deep green or deep red, an unnatural appearance which is a certain indication that it emerged from the garment itself, and such a spot is found in the garment, or in the leather, or in the warp, or in the woof, or in any implement of leather, it is a mark of leprosy and shall be shown to the priest.

וְרָאָ֥ה הַכֹּהֵ֖ן אֶת־הַנָּ֑גַע וְהִסְגִּ֥יר אֶת־הַנֶּ֖גַע שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

The priest shall examine the mark, and he shall quarantine the mark seven days for observation.

וְרָאָ֨ה אֶת־הַנֶּ֜גַע בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י כִּֽי־פָשָׂ֤ה הַנֶּ֙גַע֙ בַּ֠בֶּגֶד אֽוֹ־בַשְּׁתִ֤י אֽוֹ־בָעֵ֙רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בָע֔וֹר לְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה הָע֖וֹר לִמְלָאכָ֑ה צָרַ֧עַת מַמְאֶ֛רֶת הַנֶּ֖גַע טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא׃

Unlike leprosy of the body, leprosy of clothing cannot be confirmed upon the priest’s first examination, but only after re-examination. He shall examine the mark on the seventh day: If the mark spread in the garment, or in the warp, or in the woof, or in the leather, for any labor that leather is utilized, the mark is a malignant leprosy, it depletes and impairs the item and has no remedy. It is impure, as this is a sign from Heaven that the garment is banned.

וְשָׂרַ֨ף אֶת־הַבֶּ֜גֶד א֥וֹ אֶֽת־הַשְּׁתִ֣י ׀ א֣וֹ אֶת־הָעֵ֗רֶב בַּצֶּ֙מֶר֙ א֣וֹ בַפִּשְׁתִּ֔ים א֚וֹ אֶת־כָּל־כְּלִ֣י הָע֔וֹר אֲשֶׁר־יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ הַנָּ֑גַע כִּֽי־צָרַ֤עַת מַמְאֶ֙רֶת֙ הִ֔וא בָּאֵ֖שׁ תִּשָּׂרֵֽף׃

Therefore, he shall burn the garment, or the warp, or the woof, of wool or of linen, or any leather implement in which there is a mark; the garment or implement is entirely impure, as it is a malignant leprosy; it shall be burned in fire.

וְאִם֮ יִרְאֶ֣ה הַכֹּהֵן֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ לֹא־פָשָׂ֣ה הַנֶּ֔גַע בַּבֶּ֕גֶד א֥וֹ בַשְּׁתִ֖י א֣וֹ בָעֵ֑רֶב א֖וֹ בְּכָל־כְּלִי־עֽוֹר׃

If the priest shall examine the garment or implement at the end of the seven days, and behold, the mark did not spread in the garment, or in the warp, or in the woof, or in any implement of leather,

וְצִוָּה֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְכִ֨בְּס֔וּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־בּ֖וֹ הַנָּ֑גַע וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ שִׁבְעַת־יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית׃

the priest shall command, and in accordance with his instructions they shall wash that in which there is a mark with certain cleansing agents, and he shall quarantine it seven days again.

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

The priest shall examine after the mark has been washed, and behold, the mark has not changed its appearance, its hue remains as it was, and even if the mark did not spread, it is nevertheless impure. Therefore, you shall burn it in fire; it is a depression, a deficiency, a loss, or a cavity. This is the designation of leprosy of clothing, whether it is in its back or its front . Similar terms appear with regard to a person’s head (verses 40–41), where they refer to the back of the skull and its front. In contrast to leprosy of the body, where a person can never become a confirmed leper without the appearance of at least one sign of impurity, in the case leprosy of clothing this is possible, if it retains its appearance after having been washed.

וְאִם֮ רָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵן֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ כֵּהָ֣ה הַנֶּ֔גַע אַחֲרֵ֖י הֻכַּבֵּ֣ס אֹת֑וֹ וְקָרַ֣ע אֹת֗וֹ מִן־הַבֶּ֙גֶד֙ א֣וֹ מִן־הָע֔וֹר א֥וֹ מִן־הַשְּׁתִ֖י א֥וֹ מִן־הָעֵֽרֶב׃

And if the priest examines, and behold, the color of the mark has faded after it has been washed, he shall rip it, the affected area, from the garment, or from the leather, or from the warp, or from the woof.

וְאִם־תֵּרָאֶ֨ה ע֜וֹד בַּ֠בֶּגֶד אֽוֹ־בַשְּׁתִ֤י אֽוֹ־בָעֵ֙רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בְכָל־כְּלִי־ע֔וֹר פֹּרַ֖חַת הִ֑וא בָּאֵ֣שׁ תִּשְׂרְפֶ֔נּוּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־בּ֖וֹ הַנָּֽגַע׃

If it, the mark, shall be seen again in the garment, or in the warp, or in the woof, or in any leather implement, although one cut off and removed the affected area, the mark nevertheless appeared once again in the garment or the leather, it is erupting leprosy, and therefore you shall burn in fire that in which the mark is.

וְהַבֶּ֡גֶד אֽוֹ־הַשְּׁתִ֨י אוֹ־הָעֵ֜רֶב אֽוֹ־כָל־כְּלִ֤י הָעוֹר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תְּכַבֵּ֔ס וְסָ֥ר מֵהֶ֖ם הַנָּ֑גַע וְכֻבַּ֥ס שֵׁנִ֖ית וְטָהֵֽר׃

The garment, or the warp, or the woof, or any leather implement, that you shall wash and the mark leaves them, that is, if due to the laundering, the mark disappears and does not return, it shall be washed again, this time by immersion in a ritual bath, and it shall be purified from its impurity.

זֹ֠את תּוֹרַ֨ת נֶֽגַע־צָרַ֜עַת בֶּ֥גֶד הַצֶּ֣מֶר ׀ א֣וֹ הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗ים א֤וֹ הַשְּׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ הָעֵ֔רֶב א֖וֹ כָּל־כְּלִי־ע֑וֹר לְטַהֲר֖וֹ א֥וֹ לְטַמְּאֽוֹ׃ (פ)

This is the law of the mark of leprosy of the woolen or the linen garment, or the warp, the woof, or any leather implement, to pronounce it pure or to pronounce it impure.