In this week's
portion there is a continued discussion about pure and impure laws. The
law states that when a woman gives birth, she must be purified. The
purification may include immersing in a mikvah or bringing offerings to
the Holy Temple. The law also says that if the child is male, he must be
circumcised when he is eight days old.
On
a much different note, this portion also discusses the plague of
tzaraat, which is more commonly known as leprosy. This infection creates
white or pink patches on the skin, and can even leave dark red or green
patches on one's clothing. When someone notices these symptoms, the law
says to call for a kohen, or priest, who can determine whether or not
the symptoms are pure or impure. If it is decided that the person has
been plagued with tzaraat, they must be quarantined away from the city
that he or she lives in until recovery. The person's clothing must be
burned if the tzaraat continues to spread.
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