Derasha 187 on Vayikra 13:29

TT #187 · Parshas Tazria · Aliyah 5 · Passuk 29

The Complete Passuk

וְאִישׁ֙ א֣וֹ אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ נָ֑גַע בְּרֹ֖אשׁ א֥וֹ בְזָקָֽן׃

English: If a man or woman has an affliction on the head or on the beard,

Chabad.org — Chumash, English translation + Rashi for Vayikra 13:29

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Sifra (Toras Kohanim) for the rule that a netek does not spread from the head to the beard or vice versa.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Sifra
יָכוֹל לֹא יִצְטָרְפוּ אֲבָל יִפְשׁוּ מִזֶּה לָזֶה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר צָרַעַת הָרֹאשׁ אוֹ הַזָּקָן.

English: Even though head and beard do not combine, could spreading pass from one to the other? Scripture's separate designation excludes that as well.

Type of Learning

Textual derivation

What Is Learned

Even though the head and beard are distinct areas, the rule also bars a netek from spreading from one area into the other.