Parashat Tazria

(Leviticus 12:1–13:59)

This parasha continues the theme of holiness and purity in the lives of the Israelites. It outlines laws of ritual purity related to childbirth and various skin afflictions known as tzara'at, traditionally translated as "leprosy," though it encompasses a broader range of physical conditions and spiritual symbolism. These laws serve to preserve holiness in the community and the sanctuary by distinguishing between the pure (tahor) and the impure (tamei).

1. Purification After Childbirth

Leviticus 12:1–8

The parashah begins with the laws concerning a woman who gives birth. After childbirth, a woman enters a state of tumah(ritual impurity) for a designated period:

• If she gives birth to a male child, she is ritually impure for 7 days, followed by 33 days of purification for blood.

• For a female child, she is impure for 14 days, followed by 66 days of purification (Leviticus 12:2–5).

At the end of her purification period, she is to bring a burnt offering and a sin offering—typically a lamb and a dove. If she cannot afford a lamb, she may bring two birds (Leviticus 12:6–8). This ritual is not about moral guilt but about restoring ritual cleanliness and reentry into the sanctuary worship life of the community.

2. Laws of Tzara'at (Skin Afflictions)

Leviticus 13:1–59

The majority of the parashah details the procedures for diagnosing and handling tzara’at, a condition that affects skin, clothing, and eventually buildings (expanded upon in Parashat Metzora). These afflictions are not merely medical conditions but are seen as physical manifestations of spiritual or moral issues, such as slander (lashon hara) or pride.

A. Diagnosis of Skin Conditions

• A person with a suspicious skin condition must be brought to Aaron the priest or one of his sons for examination (Leviticus 13:2).

• The priest looks for specific signs: white hair in the sore, the depth of the lesion, or spreading of the condition. Based on these signs, the person may be declared either clean or unclean (Leviticus 13:3–8).

  
  

B. Isolation and Reassessment

• In some cases, the person is quarantined for seven days, after which the priest re-examines the lesion. If it spreads, the person is declared unclean; if it does not, he may be declared clean or quarantined for another seven days (Leviticus 13:4–6).

  
  

C. Various Forms of Tzara’at

• The Torah describes different types of skin issues including:

  • Swelling, scabs, or bright spots (Leviticus 13:2–8)

  • Infections on the head or beard (Leviticus 13:29–37)

  • White patches or discolorations of the skin (Leviticus 13:9–28)

  • Raw flesh or open sores (Leviticus 13:10–17)

In each case, the priest determines the person’s status. If declared unclean, the individual must dwell outside the campand cry out “Unclean! Unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45–46), a visible and vocal signal to others of their status.

D. Contaminated Clothing

• Tzara’at can also affect garments of wool, linen, or leather. The priest inspects the items and may quarantine them. If the contamination spreads, the garment must be burned; if it doesn’t, it may be washed and declared clean (Leviticus 13:47–59).

Parashat Tazria teaches that God is intimately concerned with the physical, spiritual, and communal health of His people. Through the rituals of purification, the Israelites are reminded that holiness permeates all aspects of life—even birth, illness, and clothing—and that restoration is always possible through obedience, humility, and the mediating role of the priest.