Derasha 219 on Vayikra 13:39

TT #219 · Parshas Tazria · Aliyah 5 · Passuk 39

The Complete Passuk

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֧ה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂרָ֛ם בֶּהָרֹ֖ת כֵה֣וֹת לְבָנֹ֑ת בֹּ֥הַק ה֛וּא פָּרַ֥ח בָּע֖וֹר טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא׃ ס

English: the priest shall examine them. If the spots are dull white, it is a harmless bohak that has appeared in the skin; he is clean.

Chabad.org — Chumash, English translation + Rashi for Vayikra 13:39

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Sifra (Toras Kohanim) for the pure status of bohak.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Sifra
בֹּהַק הוּא טָהוֹר הוּא. מְלַמֵּד שֶׁבֹּהַק טָהוֹר.

English: 'It is bohak; he is clean' teaches that bohak is pure.

Type of Learning

Textual derivation

What Is Learned

The pale spots called bohak are not themselves a source of impurity.