“Of scaly flesh” (Dt.24:8)— this is an area of livid flesh.2. I might infer only that [the rule applies at the onset of the disease,] before the sign is implicated in uncleanness. But how do I know [to apply it] once the sign has been implicated in uncleanness, and even after the victim is [cleansed and] permitted [to re-enter the camp]? The Teaching states: “To scrupulously follow and do” (Dt.24:8)— [from the onset till its conclusion].
3. I might infer only that [this rule applies] to plague-signs afflicting humans. How do I know that it applies to plague-signs of garments and plague-signs of houses? The Teaching states: “According to all that the levitical Priests instruct you” (Dt.24:8)— [including plague-signs afflicting garments and houses as well].
4. I might infer only that [this rule applies] once the victim is confirmed to be unclean. How do I know that it applies [as well] during the period of quarantine [prior to the declaration]? The Teaching states: “As I commanded them” (Dt.24:8).
5. I might infer only that all the Priests [must agree on a diagnosis]. How do I know that even a diagnosis declared by a minority of them [is valid] ? The Teaching states: “To scrupulously follow” (Dt.24:8)— [even when only some offer an opinion]. “And do” (Dt.24:8)— conduct life as usual [while awaiting the decision], and don’t worry that your plague-sign has fallen out.376Cf. T. Neg. 3:2. It is forbidden to intentionally excise a plague-sign to avoid quarantine, but if it falls off in the course of normal activities, there is no punishment.
(דברים כד ח) הִשָּׁמֶר, בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה.
Pisqa’ 274375H:268-269;JN2:219..
1. “Be careful” (Dt.24:8)—
this is a proscription.
בְּנֶגַע, זֶה שֵׂעָר לָבָן.
“Regarding the plague-sign” (Dt.24:8)—
this is the white hair [in the bright spot].
הַצָּרַעַת, זוֹ מִחְיָה, אֵין לִי אֶלָּא עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִזְקַק לְטֻמְאָה, מִשֶּׁנִּזְקַק לְטֻמְאָה וְאַחַר הַפְּטוּר מִנַּיִן, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לִשְׁמֹר מְאֹד וְלַעֲשׂוֹת.
“Of scaly flesh” (Dt.24:8)—
this is an area of livid flesh.2. I might infer only that
[the rule applies at the onset of the disease,]
before the sign is implicated in uncleanness.
But how do I know
[to apply it] once the sign has been implicated in uncleanness,
and even after the victim is [cleansed and]
permitted [to re-enter the camp]?
The Teaching states:
“To scrupulously follow and do” (Dt.24:8)—
[from the onset till its conclusion].
אֵין לִי אֶלָּא נִגְעֵי אָדָם, נִגְעֵי בְגָדִים וְנִגְעֵי בָתִּים מִנַּיִן? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר יוֹרוּ אֶתְכֶם הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם.
3. I might infer only that
[this rule applies] to plague-signs afflicting humans.
How do I know that it applies
to plague-signs of garments
and plague-signs of houses?
The Teaching states:
“According to all that the levitical Priests instruct you” (Dt.24:8)—
[including plague-signs afflicting garments and houses as well].
אֵין לִי אֶלָּא מִתּוֹךְ הֶחְלֵט, מִתּוֹךְ הֶסְגֵּר מִנַּיִן, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִים.
4. I might infer only that
[this rule applies] once the victim is confirmed to be unclean.
How do I know that it applies [as well]
during the period of quarantine [prior to the declaration]?
The Teaching states:
“As I commanded them” (Dt.24:8).
אֵין לִי אֶלָּא כֻּלָּם, מִנַּיִן אַף מִקְצָתָם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לִשְׁמוֹר. וְלַעֲשׂוֹת – עוֹשֶׂה אַתָּה בָּהּ וְהוֹלֵךְ וְאִי אַתָּה חוֹשֵׁשׁ שֶׁמָּא הָלְכָה לָהּ צָרַעְתּוֹ.
5. I might infer only that
all the Priests [must agree on a diagnosis].
How do I know that even
a diagnosis declared by a minority of them [is valid] ?
The Teaching states:
“To scrupulously follow” (Dt.24:8)—
[even when only some offer an opinion].
“And do” (Dt.24:8)—
conduct life as usual
[while awaiting the decision],
and don’t worry that
your plague-sign has fallen out.376Cf. T. Neg. 3:2. It is forbidden to intentionally excise a plague-sign to avoid quarantine, but if it falls off in the course of normal activities, there is no punishment.