Misva #584: Not to Remove a Sara’at Infection

The Torah in Parashat Ki-Teseh (Debarim 24:8) commands, “Hishamer Be’nega Ha’sara’at” – that we must “exercise care” with regard to Sara’at infections. This is understood as a prohibition against removing a Sara’at infection from one’s skin, garment or home. If a Sara’at discoloration is seen, one is required to follow the procedure outlined elsewhere by the Torah, and it is forbidden for him to simply remove it. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that Sara’at is intended to serve as a sign of spiritual ills which a person must correct. It is meant to lead the person to prayer and repentance, so that he improves himself. If a person responds instead by just removing the infection, this constitutes a form of rebellion against G-d, as he rejects G-d’s “wakeup call” to repentance, “turning off the alarm” instead of answering the call and working to improve his behavior. This command forbids removing even a portion of the infection, and it applies both before the Kohen inspects the discoloration, and after the Kohen has determined that it qualifies as Sara’at. One who violates this prohibition is liable to Malkut once he removes enough of the infection that the portion which remains amounts to less than the minimum size to qualify as a Sara’at infection. If he removes some of the infection, and the amount which remains is sufficient to qualify as Sara’at, then he is liable to Malkut Mi’de’rabbanan (by force of Rabbinic enactment). If a Sara’at skin infection appears on the skin of an uncircumcised male, on the portion which is to be removed for the Berit Mila, the circumcision is performed even though this involves removing the Sara’at infection. The rule of “Aseh Doheh Lo Ta’aseh” establishes that, in most instances, an affirmative command is to be performed even if this entails violating a prohibition. Therefore, the affirmative command of Berit Mila overrides the prohibition against removing a Sara’at infection. This command applies whenever the laws of Sara’at apply, and is binding in all places, upon both men and women. As mentioned, one who removes a Sara’at infection from his body, clothing or home is liable to Malkut.