The meaning of these terms is obscure, but they may suggest that tzaraat consists of an abnormal skin texture as well as color. However, rabbinic interpretation almost universally concluded that these three terms refer to different shades of color (white like wool or like snow, etc.) rather than different textures. [ 13 ]

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.

Tzaraat was an affliction of the skin (or clothing or house) discussed extensively in the Bible (notably the Torah portions of Tazria and Metzora) that would cause the sufferer to become impure and be isolated or “quarantined” from the community. Many have speculated as to the exact nature of this malady, which is commonly translated as ...

Tzaraat ("Leprosy"): A supra-natural bodily affliction (often mistranslated as leprosy).

2023年4月19日 · [1] For a discussion of what disease the term might be referring to, see Yitzhaq Feder, “Tzaraat in Light of Its Mesopotamian Parallels,” TheTorah (2017). For another suggestion, see Chaim Trachtman, “Tzaraat as Cancer,” TheTorah (2016).

For tzaraat is something that is separated from this world. And that is indicated since the one with tzaraat is evicted from the encampment of Israel, and does not have a relationship to the world…

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 …

Despite its lengthy coverage of tzaraat, biblical “leprosy,” the Torah omits discussion of its cause, its infectiousness, and its treatment. Comparison to the Mesopotamian rituals pertaining to a strikingly similar disease, Saḫaršubbû , shows that these omissions were far from accidental.

The weekly Torah portion’s name is “Metzora” {מצורע}(‘LEPERS’) and it is found in Leviticus 14:1–15:33 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.

Original Word: צָרַעַת Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: tsara`ath Pronunciation: tsah-rah-ath Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-rah'-ath) Definition: Leprosy, skin disease Meaning: leprosy Word Origin: Derived from the root צָרַע (tsara), meaning "to strike" or "to scourge." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G3014 (lepra): Used in the New Testament to describe leprosy ...