Derasha 286 on Vayikra 13:54

TT #286 · Parshas Tazria · Aliyah 7 · Passuk 54

The Complete Passuk

וְצִוָּה֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְכִבְּס֔וּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־בּ֖וֹ הַנָּ֑גַע וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ שִׁבְעַת־יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית׃

English: The priest shall command that they wash the article in which the lesion is found, and he shall isolate it another seven days.

Chabad.org — Chumash, English translation + Rashi for Vayikra 13:54

Source Citation

Torah Temimah cites Sifra (Toras Kohanim) for the division between the priest’s command and the act of washing.

Core Text of Chazal

Core Text — Sifra (Toras Kohanim)
וְצִוָּה הַכֹּהֵן וְכִבְּסוּ. הַצִּוּוּי בַּכֹּהֵן וְהַכִּבּוּס בְּכָל אָדָם

English: The priest gives the command, while the washing may be done by anyone.

Type of Learning

Textual derivation

What Is Learned

The priest issues the command to wash the garment, but the washing itself may be performed by any person.