“This is the law concerning infections of tzara’at in a garment of wool or linen, or in the threads or the woven-in parts, or in any leather item – when to declare it clean and when to declare it unclean.”
Leviticus 13:59
As we continue moving through Leviticus, we find that the same impurities concerning people with tzara’at are also possible for objects. It is in this section we begin to read of discolorations and growths that appear on clothing, fabrics, and leather. With this in mind, we must remember that the point of Leviticus is concerning the clean and unclean, the holy verses unholy according to Adonai. This incompatibility between holy and unholy translates easily into the mixture of clothes of wool and cotton, worship of Adonai and worship of other gods, dairy with meat, and even the marriage of believers with unbelievers. It simply is not to happen; the two shall not touch.
For the item with tzara’at, something still had to be done. The item in question was to be brought before the priest who again would review it and determine if it indeed was infected. If tzara’at was suspected, then for seven days the item would remain in isolation to see if the infection would spread. If it did, the item was to be burned as it was then considered ritually impure. If no spreading was found, then a simple washing of the article would suffice, in addition to another seven days of isolation. If after those seven days the infection reoccurred, the article would be burned. If no return, then the original infected area would be cut off and the remaining piece of the garment considered clean.
In closing today, consider the words of Paul in II Corinthians 6:17. “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.” Let us rid ourselves of the unclean; come away from it and cease touching it, so as to be welcomed.
13:55 – 14:20
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