![Ruins overlooking the Dead Sea. Homes like this could be afflicted with tzaraat during Biblical times. [Photo: Wiki Commons]](https://theisraelbible.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ruins_2809390144-e1460380727597.jpg)
TORAH
NEVI'IM
KETUVIM
Chapter 15
Translation and Transliteration of
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1Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, saying:
va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHEH v'-el a-ha-RON lay-MOR
אוַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר׃
2Speak to B'nei Yisrael and say to them: When any man has a discharge issuing from his member, he is unclean.
da-B'-RU el b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL va-a-mar-TEM a-LE-hem, eesh EESH kee yi-HE-yah ZAV mi-b'-SA-ro, zo-VO ta-MAY HU.
בדַּבְּרוּ֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אִ֣ישׁ אִ֗ישׁ כִּ֤י יִהְיֶה֙ זָ֣ב מִבְּשָׂר֔וֹ זוֹב֖וֹ טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא׃
3The uncleanness from his discharge shall mean the following—whether his member runs with the discharge or is stopped up so that there is no discharge, his uncleanness means this:
v'-ZOT tih-YE tu-ma-TO b'-zo-VO, rar b'-sa-RO et zo-VO, o he-kh'-TEEM b'-sa-RO mi-zo-VO, tu-ma-TO hee
גוְזֹ֛את תִּהְיֶ֥ה טֻמְאָת֖וֹ בְּזוֹב֑וֹ רָ֣ר בְּשָׂר֞וֹ אֶת־זוֹב֗וֹ אֽוֹ־הֶחְתִּ֤ים בְּשָׂרוֹ֙ מִזּוֹב֔וֹ טֻמְאָת֖וֹ הִֽוא׃
4Any bedding on which the one with the discharge lies shall be unclean, and every object on which he sits shall be unclean.
kol-ha-mish-KAV a-SHER yish-KAV a-LAV ha-ZAV yit-MA v'-kol-ha-ke-LEE a-SHER ye-SHEV a-LAV yit-MA
דכׇּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֗ב אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁכַּ֥ב עָלָ֛יו הַזָּ֖ב יִטְמָ֑א וְכׇֽל־הַכְּלִ֛י אֲשֶׁר־יֵשֵׁ֥ב עָלָ֖יו יִטְמָֽא׃
5Anyone who touches his bedding shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-ish a-SHER yi-GA b'-mish-KA-vo, y'-ka-BAYS b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATS ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
הוְאִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִגַּ֖ע בְּמִשְׁכָּב֑וֹ יְכַבֵּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
6Whoever sits on an object on which the one with the discharge has sat shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-ha-yo-SHEV al ha-ke-LEE a-SHER ye-SHEV a-LA-yav ha-ZAV, ye-ka-BES be-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATZ ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
ווְהַיֹּשֵׁב֙ עַֽל־הַכְּלִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־יֵשֵׁ֥ב עָלָ֖יו הַזָּ֑ב יְכַבֵּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
7Whoever touches the body of the one with the discharge shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-ha-NO-gay-a bi-v'-SAR ha-ZAV, y'-ka-BAYS b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATS ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
זוְהַנֹּגֵ֖עַ בִּבְשַׂ֣ר הַזָּ֑ב יְכַבֵּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
8If one with a discharge spits on one who is clean, the latter shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-khee ya-ROK ha-ZAV ba-ta-HOR, v'-ki-BES b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATZ ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
חוְכִֽי־יָרֹ֥ק הַזָּ֖ב בַּטָּה֑וֹר וְכִבֶּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
9Any means for riding that one with a discharge has mounted shall be unclean;
v'-kol ha-mer-KAV a-SHER yir-KAV a-LAV ha-ZAV yit-MA
טוְכׇל־הַמֶּרְכָּ֗ב אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִרְכַּ֥ב עָלָ֛יו הַזָּ֖ב יִטְמָֽא׃
10whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until evening; and whoever carries such things shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-kol ha-NO-gay-a b'-KOL a-SHER yi-HE-yeh ta-KH'-taiv yit-MA ad ha-a-REV v'-ha-NO-say o-TAM ye-ka-BAYS b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATS ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad ha-a-REV
יוְכׇל־הַנֹּגֵ֗עַ בְּכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִהְיֶ֣ה תַחְתָּ֔יו יִטְמָ֖א עַד־הָעָ֑רֶב וְהַנּוֹשֵׂ֣א אוֹתָ֔ם יְכַבֵּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
11If one with a discharge, without having rinsed his hands in water, touches another person, that person shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-KOL a-SHER yi-GA bO ha-ZAV v'-ya-DAV lo sha-TAF ba-MA-yim v'-ki-BES b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATZ ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad ha-a-REV
יאוְכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִגַּע־בּוֹ֙ הַזָּ֔ב וְיָדָ֖יו לֹא־שָׁטַ֣ף בַּמָּ֑יִם וְכִבֶּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
12An earthen vessel that one with a discharge touches shall be broken; and any wooden implement shall be rinsed with water.
u-k'-lee-KHE-resh a-SHER yi-GA b'-O ha-ZAV yi-sha-VAYR v'-kol k'-lee-AYTZ yi-sha-TEF ba-MA-yim
יבוּכְלִי־חֶ֛רֶשׂ אֲשֶׁר־יִגַּע־בּ֥וֹ הַזָּ֖ב יִשָּׁבֵ֑ר וְכׇ֨ל־כְּלִי־עֵ֔ץ יִשָּׁטֵ֖ף בַּמָּֽיִם׃
13When one with a discharge becomes clean of his discharge, he shall count off seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in fresh water; then he shall be clean.
v'-khee yit-HAR ha-ZAV mi-zo-VO v'-SA-far LO shiv-AT ya-MEEM l'-ta-ho-ra-TO v'-khi-BES b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATZ b'-sa-RO b'-MA-yim kha-YEEM v'-ta-HAYR
יגוְכִֽי־יִטְהַ֤ר הַזָּב֙ מִזּוֹב֔וֹ וְסָ֨פַר ל֜וֹ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֛ים לְטׇהֳרָת֖וֹ וְכִבֶּ֣ס בְּגָדָ֑יו וְרָחַ֧ץ בְּשָׂר֛וֹ בְּמַ֥יִם חַיִּ֖ים וְטָהֵֽר׃
15:13 And bathe his body in fresh water

Ancient ritual bath found in Qumeran
Chapter 15 discusses the different kinds of impurity that occur as a result of certain types of bodily discharges. As part of the purification process, the person who has become impure must immerse in a ritual bath. This immersion signifies an elevation in spiritual status, and it is no coincidence that water is the means through which this elevation occurs. Water is the source of life, and so it is appropriate to immerse in it during the process of spiritual rebirth and renewal. In addition, the fluid nature of water symbolizes that as spiritual beings, we are never fixed in one place. In life we have ups and downs, but there is always the potential for further growth.
14On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before Hashem at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and give them to the Kohen.
u-va-YOM ha-sh'-mi-NEE yi-KAKH-lo sh'-TAY to-REEM o sh'-NAY b'-NAY yo-NAH u-VA l'-if-NAY a-do-NAI el p'-TAKH o-HAYL mo-ED u-ne-ta-NAM el ha-ko-HAYN
ידוּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֗י יִֽקַּֽח־לוֹ֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י תֹרִ֔ים א֥וֹ שְׁנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יוֹנָ֑ה וּבָ֣א ׀ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֗ה אֶל־פֶּ֙תַח֙ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וּנְתָנָ֖ם אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃
15The Kohen shall offer them, the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. Thus the Kohen shall make expiation on his behalf, for his discharge, before Hashem.
v'-a-SA o-TAM ha-ko-HAYN e-KHAD kha-TAT v'-ha-e-KHAD o-LAH v'-ki-PER a-LAV ha-ko-HAYN lif-NAY a-do-NAI mi-ZO-vo
טווְעָשָׂ֤ה אֹתָם֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן אֶחָ֣ד חַטָּ֔את וְהָאֶחָ֖ד עֹלָ֑ה וְכִפֶּ֨ר עָלָ֧יו הַכֹּהֵ֛ן לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה מִזּוֹבֽוֹ׃
16When a man has an emission of semen, he shall bathe his whole body in water and remain unclean until evening.
v'-ISH kee-tay-TZE mi-ME-nu shikh-VAT-za-RA v'-ra-KHATZ ba-MA-yim et-KOL b'-SA-ro v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
טזוְאִ֕ישׁ כִּֽי־תֵצֵ֥א מִמֶּ֖נּוּ שִׁכְבַת־זָ֑רַע וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֛יִם אֶת־כׇּל־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
17All cloth or leather on which semen falls shall be washed in water and remain unclean until evening.
v'-KOL be-GED v'-KOL-OHR a-SHER yi-HE-yeh a-LAV shikh-VAT-za-RA v'-ku-BAS ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
יזוְכׇל־בֶּ֣גֶד וְכׇל־ע֔וֹר אֲשֶׁר־יִהְיֶ֥ה עָלָ֖יו שִׁכְבַת־זָ֑רַע וְכֻבַּ֥ס בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
18And if a man has carnal relations with a woman, they shall bathe in water and remain unclean until evening.
v'-i-SHA a-SHER yish-KAV ISH o-TAH shikh-VAT-za-RA v'-ra-kha-TZU va-ma-YIM v'-ta-m'-U ad-ha-a-REV.
יחוְאִשָּׁ֕ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁכַּ֥ב אִ֛ישׁ אֹתָ֖הּ שִׁכְבַת־זָ֑רַע וְרָחֲצ֣וּ בַמַּ֔יִם וְטָמְא֖וּ עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
19When a woman has a discharge, her discharge being blood from her body, she shall remain in her impurity seven days; whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening.
v'-i-SHA ki-ti-HEH za-VAH, DAM yi-HEH zo-VAH biv-sa-RAH. shi-VAHT ya-MEEM ti-HEH v'-ni-da-TAH, v'-KOL ha-NO-ge-AH BAH yit-MA ad-ha-a-REV.
יטוְאִשָּׁה֙ כִּֽי־תִהְיֶ֣ה זָבָ֔ה דָּ֛ם יִהְיֶ֥ה זֹבָ֖הּ בִּבְשָׂרָ֑הּ שִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ תִּהְיֶ֣ה בְנִדָּתָ֔הּ וְכׇל־הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּ֖הּ יִטְמָ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
20Anything that she lies on during her impurity shall be unclean; and anything that she sits on shall be unclean.
v'-KOL a-SHER tish-KAV a-LAV b'-ni-da-TAH yit-MA, v'-KOL a-SHER tay-SHEV a-LAV yit-MA
כוְכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּשְׁכַּ֥ב עָלָ֛יו בְּנִדָּתָ֖הּ יִטְמָ֑א וְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־תֵּשֵׁ֥ב עָלָ֖יו יִטְמָֽא׃
21Anyone who touches her bedding shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening;
v'-KOL ha-NO-gay-a b'-mish-ka-VAH y'-ka-BAYS b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATS ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
כאוְכׇל־הַנֹּגֵ֖עַ בְּמִשְׁכָּבָ֑הּ יְכַבֵּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
22and anyone who touches any object on which she has sat shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-kol ha-NO-ge-a b'-kol-k'-LEE a-SHER-tay-SHEV a-LA-yav ye-ka-BAYS b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATS ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
כבוְכׇ֨ל־הַנֹּגֵ֔עַ בְּכׇל־כְּלִ֖י אֲשֶׁר־תֵּשֵׁ֣ב עָלָ֑יו יְכַבֵּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
23Be it the bedding or be it the object on which she has sat, on touching it he shall be unclean until evening.
v'-im al ha-mish-KAV HU o al ha-k'-LEE a-SHER hi-VU o-SHE-vet-a-LA-yav b'-no-g'-o-BO yit-MA ad ha-a-REV
כגוְאִ֨ם עַֽל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֜ב ה֗וּא א֧וֹ עַֽל־הַכְּלִ֛י אֲשֶׁר־הִ֥וא יֹשֶֽׁבֶת־עָלָ֖יו בְּנׇגְעוֹ־ב֑וֹ יִטְמָ֖א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
24And if a man lies with her, her impurity is communicated to him; he shall be unclean seven days, and any bedding on which he lies shall become unclean.
v'-im sha-KHOB yish-KAV EEsh o-TAH u-t'-HI ni-DA-tah a-LAV v'-ta-MAY shi-VA-at ya-MEEM v'-kol ha-mish-KAV a-SHER yish-KAV a-LAV yit-MA
כדוְאִ֡ם שָׁכֹב֩ יִשְׁכַּ֨ב אִ֜ישׁ אֹתָ֗הּ וּתְהִ֤י נִדָּתָהּ֙ עָלָ֔יו וְטָמֵ֖א שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים וְכׇל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ב אֲשֶׁר־יִשְׁכַּ֥ב עָלָ֖יו יִטְמָֽא׃
25When a woman has had a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her impurity, or when she has a discharge beyond her period of impurity, she shall be unclean, as though at the time of her impurity, as long as her discharge lasts.
v'-i-SHA ki-ya-ZUV ZOV da-MAH ya-MEEM ra-BEEM b'-LO et-ni-DA-ta, o ki-ta-ZUV al-ni-DA-ta, kol-ye-MAY ZOV tu-ma-TA, ki-MAY ni-DA-ta, ti-HEH t'-ME-aH hee
כהוְאִשָּׁ֡ה כִּֽי־יָזוּב֩ ז֨וֹב דָּמָ֜הּ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים בְּלֹא֙ עֶת־נִדָּתָ֔הּ א֥וֹ כִֽי־תָז֖וּב עַל־נִדָּתָ֑הּ כׇּל־יְמֵ֞י ז֣וֹב טֻמְאָתָ֗הּ כִּימֵ֧י נִדָּתָ֛הּ תִּהְיֶ֖ה טְמֵאָ֥ה הִֽוא׃
26Any bedding on which she lies while her discharge lasts shall be for her like bedding during her impurity; and any object on which she sits shall become unclean, as it does during her impurity:
kol-ha-mish-KAV a-SHER-tish-KAV a-LA-yov kol-ye-MAY zo-VAH k'-mish-KAV ni-DA-tah yi-HEH-lah v'-kol-ha-ke-LEE a-SHER tay-SHEV a-LA-yov ta-MAY yi-HEH k'-tu-m'-at ni-DA-tah
כוכׇּל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֞ב אֲשֶׁר־תִּשְׁכַּ֤ב עָלָיו֙ כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י זוֹבָ֔הּ כְּמִשְׁכַּ֥ב נִדָּתָ֖הּ יִֽהְיֶה־לָּ֑הּ וְכׇֽל־הַכְּלִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּשֵׁ֣ב עָלָ֔יו טָמֵ֣א יִהְיֶ֔ה כְּטֻמְאַ֖ת נִדָּתָֽהּ׃
27whoever touches them shall be unclean; he shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening.
v'-kol ha-NO-gay-a BAM yit-MA, v'-ki-BES b'-ga-DAV v'-ra-KHATZ ba-MA-yim v'-ta-MAY ad-ha-a-REV
כזוְכׇל־הַנּוֹגֵ֥עַ בָּ֖ם יִטְמָ֑א וְכִבֶּ֧ס בְּגָדָ֛יו וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֖יִם וְטָמֵ֥א עַד־הָעָֽרֶב׃
28When she becomes clean of her discharge, she shall count off seven days, and after that she shall be clean.
v'-im-ta-ha-RAH mi-zo-VAH v'-so-f'-RAH LAH shiv-AHT ya-MEEM v'-a-KHAR tit-HAHR
כחוְאִֽם־טָהֲרָ֖ה מִזּוֹבָ֑הּ וְסָ֥פְרָה לָּ֛הּ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים וְאַחַ֥ר תִּטְהָֽר׃
29On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, and bring them to the Kohen at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
u-va-YOM ha-sh'-mi-NEE ti-KAKH-lah sh'-TAY to-REEM o o-TAYM el ha-ko-HAYN el pe-TAKH o-HAYL mo-ED
כטוּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֗י תִּֽקַּֽח־לָהּ֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י תֹרִ֔ים א֥וֹ שְׁנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י יוֹנָ֑ה וְהֵבִיאָ֤ה אוֹתָם֙ אֶל־הַכֹּהֵ֔ן אֶל־פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃
30The Kohen shall offer the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering; and the Kohen shall make expiation on her behalf, for her unclean discharge, before Hashem.
v'-a-SA ha-ko-HAYN et ha-e-KHAD kha-TAT v'-et ha-e-KHAD o-LAH v'-ki-PER a-LE-ha ha-ko-HAYN lif-NAY a-do-NAI mi-ZOV tu-ma-TA
לוְעָשָׂ֤ה הַכֹּהֵן֙ אֶת־הָאֶחָ֣ד חַטָּ֔את וְאֶת־הָאֶחָ֖ד עֹלָ֑ה וְכִפֶּ֨ר עָלֶ֤יהָ הַכֹּהֵן֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה מִזּ֖וֹב טֻמְאָתָֽהּ׃
31You shall put the Israelites on guard against their uncleanness, lest they die through their uncleanness by defiling My Mishkan which is among them.
v'-hiz-har-TEM et b'-nay yis-ra-AYL mi-tum-a-TAM v'-LO ya-MU-tu b'-tum-a-TAM b'-ta-m'-AM et mish-ka-NEE a-SHER b'-to-KHAM
לאוְהִזַּרְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִטֻּמְאָתָ֑ם וְלֹ֤א יָמֻ֙תוּ֙ בְּטֻמְאָתָ֔ם בְּטַמְּאָ֥ם אֶת־מִשְׁכָּנִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּתוֹכָֽם׃
32Such is the ritual concerning him who has a discharge: concerning him who has an emission of semen and becomes unclean thereby,
zo-TA to-RAT ha-ZAV va-a-SHER te-TZE mi-ME-nu shikh-VAT-ze-RA l'-to-m'-a-ah-BAH
לבזֹ֥את תּוֹרַ֖ת הַזָּ֑ב וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר תֵּצֵ֥א מִמֶּ֛נּוּ שִׁכְבַת־זֶ֖רַע לְטׇמְאָה־בָֽהּ׃
33and concerning her who is in menstrual infirmity, and concerning anyone, male or female, who has a discharge, and concerning a man who lies with an unclean woman.
v'-ha-da-VAH b'-ni-da-TAH v'-ha-ZAV et zo-VO la-za-KHAR v'-la-ne-KE-vah u-l'-ISH a-SHER yish-KAV im t'-me-AH.
לגוְהַדָּוָה֙ בְּנִדָּתָ֔הּ וְהַזָּב֙ אֶת־זוֹב֔וֹ לַזָּכָ֖ר וְלַנְּקֵבָ֑ה וּלְאִ֕ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִשְׁכַּ֖ב עִם־טְמֵאָֽה׃