Discover and learn every week, "5 Facts" written on the weekly Parshah that you can share at your Shabbos table.

1.     What type of Cohen can’t issue a ruling regarding tzaraat?

• According to one opinion in the Talmud we learn from here that a Cohen who is blind or even only blind in one eye, cannot issue a ruling regarding tzaraat. (Sanhedrin 34b, Rashi in Niddah 5a)

2.     What are the 7 sins that cause tzaraat?

• These are the 7 sins that cause tzaraat: malicious speech, bloodshed, unnecessary or vain oaths, sexual crimes, pride and haughtiness, robbery, stinginess and avoiding charity. The seven sins are alluded to by the Torah having 7 chapters that discuss these laws. So too, the words “negah tzaraat/leprosy mark” appear 7 times. (Siftei Cohen)

• There are 7 transgressions that can cause one to become a Metzora: Lashon hara, murder, false testimony, immorality, haughtiness, stealing, poor business practices. (Erkin 16a)

4.     What happens to a person who doesn't repent before his death?

• One who does not repent before one’s death is left alone in the next world, as all the righteous souls flee from such a person. His soul is sent to the “fourth chamber”, known as “Tit Hayaven/quicksand” in a place called “Nega Tzaraat”, where souls suffer tremendously. (Meam Loez: Reshit Chochma, Yad Yosef)

5.     How many houses in history were afflicted with tzaraat?

• The Talmud teaches that there has never been a house afflicted with tzaraat nor will there ever be one in the future. We see from here that the mitzvot are for us to study, and we are rewarded for doing so, even if, for whatever reason, they won’t be practiced. (Sanhedrin 71a)