Conditions of the skin, clothing and houses in the Torah
Part of Judaic series of articles on
Ritual purity in Judaism
Tumah and taharah
Mikveh
Purification methods
Netilat yadayim
Mikveh
Red heifer
Hefsek taharah
Hagalah
Tevilat Kelim
Hierarchy
Av HaTumah
Midras
Sources of Impurity
Keri
Niddah
Tzaraath
Zav
Zavah
Corpse uncleanness
Tumath eretz Ha'Amim
Prohibition of Kohen defilement by the dead
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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] Skin tzaraath generally involves patches that are white and contain unusually colored hair.[1] Clothing and house tzaraath consists of a reddish or greenish discoloration.[5]
The laws of tzaraath are given in depth in chapters 13–14 of Leviticus, and several Biblical stories describe individuals who have contracted tzaraath.
^ abD. L. Kaplan, "Biblical leprosy: an anachronism whose time has come", J Am Acad Dermatol 1993 Mar;28(3):507-10. doi: 10.1016/0190-9622(93)70071-z.
Tzaraath (Hebrew: צָרַעַת ṣāraʿaṯ), variously transcribed into English and frequently translated as leprosy (though it is not Hansen's disease, the disease...
because of the victory that God brought him. However, Naaman suffered from tzaraath, a skin disease often translated as "leprosy". Naaman's wife had a servant...
God hears and strikes her down with tzaraath. Miriam had to stay outside of the camp for a week due to the tzaraath. During this time, all of Israel waited...
was struck with tzaraath for disobeying God (2 Kings 15:5, 2 Chronicles 26:19–21). Thiele dates Uzziah's being struck with tzaraath to 751/750 BCE, at...
Cushite woman. This criticism displeases God, who punishes Miriam with tzaraath (often glossed as leprosy). Cushites were of the ancestry of either Kush...
Mount) The Torah prescribes rituals addressing the skin condition known as tzaraath and unusual genital discharges in a man or woman (Zav/Zavah), which required...
annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading A person affected by skin disease, or tzaraath This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Metzora...
which lasted for 11 years. Because his father Uzziah was afflicted with tzaraath after he went into the Temple to burn incense, Jotham became governor of...
than a physical one. Once initiated (for the physical signs that initiate tzaraath, zav and niddah, see below) it is generally immeasurable and unquantifiable...
Hebrew-language literist. Kalisher maintained the view that the Torah mentioned Tzaraath is not Leprosy but in fact Vitiligo, Yehuda L. Katzenelson quotes Kalisher's...
and the Hebrew Bible's various sections regarding signs of impurity (tzaraath). Clearly leprotic symptoms are attested in the Indian doctor Sushruta's...
Priestly covenant Roles Priestly Blessing Redemption of the firstborn son Tzaraath (skin disease and mildew) The Torah instruction of the Kohanim Sacrifice...
transmuted into a snake, Moses's hand was temporarily afflicted with "snowy tzaraath", and water was transmuted into blood. In the text, Yahweh instructs Moses...
psoriasis to have been included among the various skin conditions called tzaraath (translated as leprosy) in the Hebrew Bible. The person was deemed "impure"...
ben Manoah writes that the textual order of the zav laws near those of tzaraath and embezzlement (me'ilah), and demonstrate that zav status is incurred...
heifer for the water of purification: Numbers 19 An Israelite healed of tzaraath would be presented by the priest who had confirmed his healing "at the...
text Ebers Papyrus c. 1500 BC in ancient Egypt. Also, the Hebrew word "Tzaraath" from the Old Testament book of Leviticus dating to 1280 BC (or 1312 BC)...
cleanly shaven. The purification process of the metzora (one afflicted with tzaraath) involved the ritual shaving of the metzorah's entire body except for the...
the LORD spoke face to face. Miriam was punished with a skin disease (tzaraath) that turned her skin white. Aaron pleaded with Moses to intercede for...
into contact with a niddah or zavah, or their clothes or articles after tzaraath a Kohen who is being consecrated the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur, after sending...
with the mycobacteria that causes leprosy do not develop the disease. Tzaraath, a Biblical disease that disfigures the skin is often identified as leprosy...
Talmud and Yoreh De'ah suggest that eating meat and fish together may cause tzaraath. Strictly Orthodox Jews thus avoid combining the two, while Conservative...
royal crown. According to the Midrash, Vashti's refusal, due to her having tzaraath unbeknownst to King Ahasuerus, embarrasses him in front of his guests and...
of Moses. After God departs, Miriam appears white with a skin disease (tzaraath, traditionally translated as "leprosy"). Aaron asks for forgiveness and...
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