Derasha 90 on Vayikra 13:4

TT #90 · Parshas Tazria · Aliyah 1 · Passuk 4

The Complete Passuk

וְאִם־בַּהֶ֩רֶת֩ לְבָנָ֨ה הִ֜וא בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֗וֹ וְעָמֹק֙ אֵין־מַרְאֶ֣הָ מִן־הָע֔וֹר וּשְׂעָרָ֖הֿ לֹא־הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֑ן וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־הַנֶּ֖גַע שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

English: But if it is a white discoloration on the skin of the body that does not appear to be deeper than the skin and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest shall isolate the affected person for seven days.

Chabad.org — Chumash, English translation + Rashi for Vayikra 13:4

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Sifra (Toras Kohanim) for including qualifying appearances beyond baheres.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Sifra
ואם בהרת. אין לי אלא בהרת, מניין לרבות שאר המראות, ת״ל ואם בהרת.

English: “And if there is a baheres” — I know only baheres; from where do we include the other appearances? Scripture says “and if there is a baheres.”

Type of Learning

Textual inclusion

What Is Learned

Baheres is named as the example, but the Sifra extends the rule to the other qualifying appearances; the verse is not restricted to baheres alone.