Tzaraas (tzaraat, tsaraas, tsaraat; Hebrew צרעת) was a disease mentioned in Tanach and other Jewish sources, starting in Leviticus chapters 13–14.

Although the term is commonly mistranslated leprosy, tzaraas was not leprosy. It affected primarily the afflicted person's skin, but sometimes his clothes and/or house. It is traditionally believed to have come not through natural means but as a punishment for sin, and to have been cured not through natural means but through repentance and forgiveness. There are no reported recent cases.

Causes of tzaraas

The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud Arachin 16a) notes:

Rabbi Sh'muel b. Nachmeni said: Rabbi Yochanan said: Afflictions [of tzaraas] come for seven things: for lashon hara, for murder, for a vain oath, for illicit sexual intercourse, for pride, for theft, and for stinginess.

However, other midrashim add other reasons, and one source says tzaraas appeared only as punishment for lashon hara.

Midrash Rabbah states:

So is it when tzaraas plagues come upon man: First they come upon his house. If he repents, it requires only the removal [of affected stones]; if not, it requires tearing down the entire house. Then the plagues come upon one's clothes. If he repents, they require washing; if not, they require burning. Then the plagues come upon his body. If he repents, he undergoes purification; if not, "he shall dwell alone" [Leviticus 13:46].

Tzaraas of garments

Tzaraas can appear upon any article made of wool, linen, or leather, not only garments; however, as most such items are garments, this form of tzaraas is commonly referred to as that of garments.

Tzaraas of houses

If tzaraas were to appear upon the bricks of a house, everything in the house would be removed from the house, and a kohen would then examine the bricks. Depending on the severity of the tzaraas, the bricks may need to be removed, or the house demolished.

Tzaraas of houses is viewed by some as a punishment, by others as a reward or blessing, as follows.

It may be a punishment for stinginess. Suppose someone's neighbors ask him for the use of some item — a tool, perhaps — and he replies that he has no such item. Tzaraas may appear upon his house, so that all of his posessions are laid outside (see above), his neighbors will be able to look and see that he does indeed have whatever he would not lend them.

On the other hand, Rashi has said that tzaraas of houses was a blessing on the Israelites when they entered Canaan in the thirteenth century BC. The Canaanites had hid their gold and other valuables in the walls of their houses. When tzaraas appeared on a house and the bricks were removed, the homeowner would find the treasures that had been hidden.

Tzaraas of persons

To be written

Tzaraas today

To be written

Notable people afflicted with tzaraas

To be written

See also

• Leprosy (which tzaraas is not)