Derasha 91 on Vayikra 13:4

TT #91 · 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 Shevuos 6b for the definition of baheres as the strongest white appearance.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Shevuos 6b
אָמַר אַבַּיֵי, אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְאִם בַּהֶרֶת לְבָנָה הִיא״ — הִיא לְבָנָה, וְאֵין אַחֶרֶת לְבָנָה.

English: “White” — it is white, and no other is white in this respect; hence baheres is strong white like snow.

Type of Learning

Definition

What Is Learned

The Gemara identifies baheres as the most intensely white of the four appearances, like snow; the other appearances are not white to the same degree.