Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Metzora

Tzara'at: Natural Disease or Divine Punishment?

Among the many mysteries of Tanakh, tzara'at ranks high on the list. What is this malady? Why does a person get afflicted? Is it a natural disease that anyone can contract, or is it a Divinely sent, supernatural phenomenon, meant as punishment for sin? Contrast the understandings of Chazal¹ and Ralbag in the topic of Tzara'at, and debate each position at your Shabbat Table.

Examine all of the instances in Tanakh in which someone is plagued by tzara'at. Can you find a common offense perpetrated by each of those afflicted? If the malady is indeed a punishment, what seems to be the crime?
Why does tzara'at cause impurity? Compare the various cases of impurity in Torah. Is there any common denominator which might explain why specifically these conditions defile a person?

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