1)

Why does the Torah not add the words "Daber el B'nei Yisrael"?

1.

Ramban (in 13:1): Because it is not necessary to warn Yisrael about Taharah or the Kohanim about bringing Korbanos on their behalf, since the Yisrael would be only too pleased to become Tahor and the Kohanim to bring the Korbanos. 1


1

Refer to 13:1:1:1.

2)

What are the connotations of the word "Metzora"?

1.

Rosh (citing Erchin, 15b) and R. Bachye: It is the acronym of 'Motzi (Shem) Ra' 1 - Lashon ha'Ra - for which he is punished on his body whether he speaks on purpose or inadcvertently. 2


1

Maharsha (Ibid.): Even though Tzara'as comes for any one of the seven sins listed there, it seems that someone who transgresses the other six sins achieves his atonement in the form of a Musgar, and it is Lashon ha'Ra exclusively which causes the sinner to become a Muchlat, who requires shaving and birds - and a Korban.

2

See R. Bachy who elaborates.

3)

"Zos Tih'yeh Toras ha'Metzora". What are the implications of the word "Tih'yeh"?

1.

Menachos 5a: It implies that the Kohen must follow the exact procedure as the Torah presents it and that, if he inadvertently changes something - for example, he places the oil on the Metzora before placing the blood of the Korban - if possible, he must correct it. 1

2.Menachos 19a: It implies that the four species used in the purification ceremony - the cedar-wood, the hyssop, the crimson thread and the two birds - are all crucial to the Metzora's purification, as if the Torah had written 'Chukah'. 2


1

See Torah Temimah note 1.

2

See Torah Temimah note 2.

4)

What are the implications of "Zos Tih'yeh Toras ha'Metzora"?

1.

Sifra: "Zos", 'precludes Bamos from (some of) the Dinim of Taharas Metzora'; 1 "Tih'yeh", incorporates nowadays (some of) the Dinim of Taharas Metzora; 2 and "Toras" incorporates the era of the Beis-Hamikdash all the Dinim of Taharas Metzora.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 3.

2

Shaving and birds (Torah Temimah and Oznayim la'Torah). See Torah Temimah, note 3, who elaborates.

5)

Why does the Torah insert the 'Hey" in "Toras ha'Metzora"?

1.

Nedarim, 37a: To include a Katan in the Din of Taharas Metzora. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 4.

6)

What is the significance of the words "be'Yom Taharaso"?

1.

Rashi: It comes to forbid declaring a MetzoraTahor (or Tamei - Sifra) at night. 1


1

See Torah Temimah, note 7.

7)

Why does the Torah insert "Vehuva el ha'Kohen after "be'Yom Taharaso" and not before it?

1.

The Sifra: It teaches us that, unlike a Zav who may only begin his purification after seven days, the purification ceremony of a Metzora begins immediately. 1


1

See ha'Torah ve'ha'Mitzvah and the Sifra, where the Chachamim argue with Munbaz, who requires a Metzora to wait seven days before beginning his purification ceremony.

8)

Why does the Torah insert "Vehuva el ha'Kohen" before "Veyatza ha'Kohen el mi'Chutz la'Machaneh"?

1.

Based on the explanation of the Oznayim la'Torah: Because, the Torah is speaking about fixing a place close to the walls of the town where the Kohen will be able to examine the Metzora; 1 And, since the Kohen is more important than the Metzora, it is befitting for the Metzora to arrive there first and wait for the Kohen, and not the other way round. 2


1

Refer to 14:2:152:2.

2

See also Oznayim la'Torah, who elaborates.

9)

Why is the Metzora obligated to leave all three camps and to live alone, more tan any other Tamei person?*

1.

Refer to 13:45:152:1 & 2.

2.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because Lashon ha'Ra (for which reason a Metzora must leave the camp) is coonsidered a graver sin than the three cardinal Aveiros - Avodah-Zarah, Giluy Arayos and Shefichus Damim; 1 this in turn, because a. since it appears such a minor infringement, the speaker downplays it and never regrets it, and b. because, as a result, he sins over and over again. 2


1

See Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Zos Toras'.

2

See Oznayim la'Torah DH 'Zos Toras', who elaborates.

10)

Why does the Torah say "Toras ha'Metzora"?

1.

Rosh (citing Erchin, 15b): This is the law of a Motzi Shem Ra. 1 Tanchuma (1) - this teaches that there is a Bris, that anyone who speaks Leshon ha'Ra will be stricken with Tzara'as. 2

2.

Refer to 14:57:2:2 & 3 and the note there.

3.

Kerisos, 9b: To teach us that a Metzora who is stricken a number of times is only obligated to bring one set of Korbanos. 3


1

Maharsha (Ibid.): Even though Tzara'as comes for any one of the seven sins listed there, it seems that someone who transgresses the other six sins achieves his atonement in the form of a Musgar, and it is Lashon ha'Ra exclusively which causes the sinner to become a Muchlat, who requires shaving and birds - and a Korban.

2

We do not see Metzora'im nowadays. Perhaps, the person receives a spiritual blemish called Tzara'as, or he will get Tzara'as in another incarnation (heard from R. Meir Eliyahu). Refer to 14:2:1.2:1**.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 5.

11)

What do we learn from "ve'Huva el ha'Kohen"? Others do not bring him. Everyone distances from him! Also, he may not enter the Machaneh, and the next Pasuk says that the Kohen leaves the Machaneh to see him!

1.

Ramban, Moshav Zekenim: He may not delay. On the day he is healed, [if he does not go by himself] he is brought Bal Korcho 1 (against his will).

2.

Seforno and Bechor Shor: If he is far from the Machaneh, they bring him close to the Machaneh (so that the Kohen can go and see him in a respecable manner and without too much trouble - Seforno). 2

3.

Rosh (13:9), Da'as Zekenim: We read "ve'Huva" like 'v'Hu Va' (he comes by himself).

4.

Tosfos ha'Shalem (12): They bring the Metzora's words to the Kohen, that it appears that the Nega departed.


1

Ramban: And the same applies to a Zav (see later, 15:23) and Zavah (15:28).

2

Perhaps it is permitted to come close to him when it appears that the Nega departed. Alternatively, if they see that he is not going to the Kohen, it is a Mitzvah for them to bring him. (PF). Refer also to 14:2:4:1.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

12)

Rashi writes that "b'Yom Taharaso" precludes being Metaher a Metzora at night. We should know this already from "b'Yom Hera'os"!

1.

Moshav Zekenim: We need one to teach about a Musgar, and one for a Muchlat. 1


1

Sifsei Chachamim discusses why we do not learn from "b'Yom Tzavoso." Seemingly, that discusses Korbanos Mizbe'ach. Here, the birds he brings are not Korbanos! (PF)

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