Tzaraath (Hebrew: צָרַעַת ‎ ṣāraʿaṯ), variously transcribed into English and frequently translated as leprosy (though it is not Hansen's disease, the disease known as "leprosy" in modern times [1]), is a term used in the Bible to describe various ritually impure disfigurative conditions of the human skin, [2] clothing, [3] and houses. [4] .

In the Bible, tzaraat is a skin disease that can take many different forms, and in particularly bad cases can manifest itself on one’s clothing, belongings, and house, in addition to the skin. According to the rabbis, tzaraat is caused by sin. This makes it a disease like no others; part medical condition, part spiritual pathology.

2021年4月13日 · The appearance of tzaraas, a leprous spot upon man’s skin necessitated a check by the kohen who would determine whether this rendered him as spiritually impure (Vayikra 13-14). One point worthy of reflection, in the realization that tzaraas was a spiritual rather than a physical malaise, is why this specifically develops upon the skin.

According to many historians, the disease known as leprosy did not exist in the Middle East in the times of the Torah. Although tzaraat was a skin illness, it had a spiritual element to it. In the Tanach, we find quite a few individuals who were plagued by tzaraat.

In modern Hebrew, tzahov means yellow, but what does it mean in the Bible? In Priestly law, impurity is stripped of its mythic origins in the demonic realm but still retains its dangerous, physical presence, and must be mitigated by specific acts of ritual cleansing and banishing, depending on the type of impurity.

2006年2月24日 · Tzara'as is unique in that it is a spiritual disease manifested through a physical appearance. Throughout Rabbinical and Biblical literature, a Metzora is usually looked at as a person who is castigated by HaShem.

2002年6月7日 · Tzaraas was intended to bring the individual and the nation back to G-d. It was intended to motivate Teshuva (repentance). According to the Gemara, Tzaraas was a punishment for Lashon Harrah. Slander is an anti-social and destructive act. It insidiously harms its victim as well as all those involved in the sharing of the slander.

2022年3月29日 · One of the peculiarities of tzaraas is the fact that someone whose body is fully engulfed in the disease is considered tahor (ritually pure). Tzaraas is an affliction that is commonly misidentified as leprosy. In fact, whereas leprosy is a medical condition, tzaraas is the physical manifestation of a spiritual deficiency.

The Hebrew word ‘Tzara’at’ {צרעת} means ‘leprosy’ and a person who becomes ill with leprosy is called in Hebrew ‘Metzora’ {מצורע} – like the name of the weekly Torah portion. This ‘parasha’ discusses this disease within one of the main frameworks of the Book of Leviticus which are the laws of ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’.

When it appears on human flesh, it is at least possible to think of tzaraat as a disease, but this is certainly not the case when it appears on inanimate objects. Moreover, houses and garments stricken with tzaraat are burned, a much harsher treatment …