The
Parshah of Tazria continues the discussion of the laws of Tumah
v'Taharah, ritual impurity and purity.
A woman giving birth
should undergo a process of purification, which includes
immersing in a mikvah (a naturally gathered pool of water) and
bringing offerings to the Holy Temple. All male infants are to
be circumcised on the eighth day of life.
Tzaraat ("leprosy")
is a supra-natural plague, which also can afflict garments. If
white or pink patches appear on a person's skin (dark red or
green in garments), a Kohen is summoned. Judging by various
signs, such as an increase in size of the afflicted area after a
seven-day quarantine, the Kohen pronounces it tameh (impure) or
tahor (pure).
A person afflicted
with tzaraat must dwell alone outside of the camp (or city)
until he is healed. The afflicted area in a garment is removed;
if the tzaraat spreads or recurs, the entire garment must be
burned.