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.

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 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.

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.

Tzaraat ("Leprosy"): A supra-natural bodily affliction (often mistranslated as leprosy). A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults! When is a person full of energy and life? It is when they follow G‑d’s word and plug into the G‑dly energy. Is Tzaraat Leprosy? (Q & A)

Tzara'at is a biblical disease that involved discoloration of one's skin, home, or clothing. Once confirmed by a priest's inspection, it renders the subject ritually impure, requiring them to leave the camp for a period, undergo further inspection, and then a purification process.

2022年3月28日 · Tzaraat is characterized by a whitening or splotchy bleaching of the skin, raised manifestations of scales, scabs, infections, and rashes. The manifestation of tzaraat is termed a nega (נגע), or ‘affliction’. The Israel Bible explains tzaraat as follows:

2023年4月19日 · 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. Purification from the skin disease tzaraʿat (Leviticus 13–14) offers the starkest example of such a ritual.

2021年4月14日 · Why is partially infected skin impure but fully infected skin pure? Mary Douglas’ insight into the polluting power of anomalies helps us make sense of this counterintuitive rule. Miriam Shut Out From the Camp (detail), James Tissot, c. 1896-1902. The Jewish Museum.

In the Jewish folklore, the biblical ‘Tzara’at’ is known as a ‘spiritual disease’ – meaning it was caused by spiritual reasons such as ‘evil gossiping’, for example, as happened to Miriam, Moses’ sister (Numbers 12:1-13). In the old Jewish literature there is a saying which explains the Hebrew name of our weekly Torah portion.