The Law concerning Lepers and Leprosy

The law concerning

Lepers and Leprosy

 

561.                 Not to shave off the hair of the scall (Lev. 13:33 then he shall shave himself, but he shall not shave the nesek; and the) (This command teaches us that we must not disguise the affliction. Many to seem to cover-over or even disguise our problem instead of facing it head-on. By avoiding a mountain do not make us a over-comer. By facing the problem head-on make it much easer to face the next challenge. Today most believers look upon temptation  as something to fear. It is something we must learn to overcome. By shaving off the hair gives the appearance that an affliction is not present).

577.                 That the procedure of cleansing leprosy, whether of a man or of a house, takes place with cedar-wood, hyssop, scarlet thread, two birds, and running water (Lev. 14:1-7 And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 2 “This shall be the Torah of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest, 3 and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look and see, if the leprosy is healed in the leper, 4 then the priest shall command, and he shall take for him who is to be cleansed two live and clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. 5 “And the priest shall command, and he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. 6 “Let him take the live bird and the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. 7 “And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the live bird loose in the open field) (This command teaches us that there are three stage purification process that is unique to a metzora. The first part of the ritual was performed with two birds, outside the camp. It was not a sacrificial service, and the birds did not have to be doves or turtledoves, since they were not offerings. They had to be healthy and Kosher, but that was all. Because cedar wood grows tall and imposing, it represent haughtiness; the crimson tread of wool, dyed with a pigment made from a lowly creature, a type of insect or snail, whose identity is unclear. Thus, it symbolizes the penitent’s newfound humility. Hyssop, a lowly bush symbolizes the same humility; the two birds is single out to indicate that it is treated separately from the three other items that are used in this ritual. The cedar wood and hyssop are tied together with the red thread. Then, that bundle is dipped into the blood-water mixture(laver, red sea) and apply).

578.                 That the leper shall shave all his hair (Lev. 14:9 On the seventh-day he shall shave off all his hair) (This command teaches us that after the ritual had been performed the victim can now shave himself for he is now clean. At this point, the sin had been confessed, the atonement had been made for the sin, the victim is now considered clean).

579.                 Not to pluck out the marks of leprosy (Deut. 24:8 Beware of a tzaraas affliction, to be very careful and to act) ( This command teaches us that there is a prohibits any attempt to cut away the physical symptoms of tzaraas. The affliction of tzaraas is a punishment for slander, gossip, and other forms of selfish and social behavior. The result of Miriam’s unfair criticism of Moses, which resulted in her body becoming covered with tzaraas, shows how seriousl YAHWEH regards such evil speech and therefore this command teaches us always to remember Miriam ordeal).