Derasha 198 on Vayikra 13:31

TT #198 · Parshas Tazria · Aliyah 5 · Passuk 31

The Complete Passuk

וְכִֽי־יִרְאֶ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־נֶ֣גַע הַנֶּ֗תֶק וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵין־מַרְאֵ֙הוּ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן־הָע֔וֹר וְשֵׂעָ֥ר שָׁחֹ֖ר אֵ֣ין בּ֑וֹ וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת־נֶ֥גַע הַנֶּ֖תֶק שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃

English: If the priest examines the netek and its appearance is not deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, he shall isolate the netek for seven days.

Chabad.org — Chumash, English translation + Rashi for Vayikra 13:31

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Sifra (Toras Kohanim) for the inclusion of green and red hair in the relevant hair assessment.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Sifra
וְשֵׂעָר שָׁחֹר. מִנַּיִן לְרַבּוֹת אֶת הַיָּרוֹק וְאֶת הָאָדֹם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר שֵׂעָר.

English: Although the verse specifies black hair, the broader word “hair” includes green and red hair as well for this assessment.

Type of Learning

Textual derivation

What Is Learned

The Sifra reads the general word “hair” to include green and red hairs in this assessment, despite the verse’s earlier specific mention of black hair.