Our Parsha of Tazria begins a long section dealing with laws of purity & impurity. We discuss the woman who gives birth & her subsequent 7 or 14 day period of tuma, depending on the sex of the child.

Then the Sedra begins discussing the issue of tzara'at, which is a physical manifestation of a spiritual malady (of the 6 listed in the Talmud, Lashon Hara – speaking ill of others, slander & gossip - is the most well-known). The Kohen, who serves as a spiritual doctor, diagnoses the tzara’at & decides whether it can be removed, or if the patient needs quarantine. Tzara’at can also occur in a garment or a building.