ויקרא, פרק י״ג, פסוק מ״ט

The phenomenon of leprosy in garments is a supernatural affliction designed to send a signal to an individual. When an abnormal, unnatural hue appears to grow directly out of the fabric itself, it creates a specific visual condition that requires the intervention of a priest [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that these colors are exceptionally intense, representing the most vivid shades of green or red [רש״י, תורה תמימה, רלב״ג, ביאור יש״ר, רש״ר הירש, הכתב והקבלה, אדרת אליהו, רד״צ הופמן]. This understanding is supported by the fact that darker, faded spots are later declared pure, indicating that impurity requires a bold and distinct color [העמק דבר]. Conversely, a different perspective suggests that the terminology implies weakness, pointing to a faded shade that is not entirely red or green [אבן עזרא, אבי עזר].

Regarding the exact greenish hue, opinions differ on whether it resembles the bright yellow of wax and egg yolks or the brilliant green of a peacock feather and palm leaves [העמק דבר, הכתב והקבלה, רש״ר הירש, רד״צ הופמן]. The affliction does not cause impurity if the spot is a blended mixture of green and red. However, if a garment contains a distinct, pure green spot alongside a separate, pure red spot, these two areas combine to meet the minimum size requirement for impurity, which is the size of a split bean [תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו].

These intense colors can affect a variety of materials equally, including woven fabrics and leather goods [ביאור יש״ר]. The precise criteria exclude attached accessories, meaning the impurity affects only the core garment or leather, rather than protruding threads or attached wooden pieces [העמק דבר, תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו]. When dealing with leather, the rules apply specifically to animal hides [ברכת אשר] that serve a human function, ranging from large tents to small functional items. Unattached items, such as loose sandal straps, do not qualify as functional vessels and therefore cannot contract impurity [רלב״ג, תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו]. Additionally, these laws apply exclusively to leather in its natural state, exempting hides that have been artificially dyed by human hands [רבנו בחיי, רלב״ג].

The affliction is formally classified as leprosy even before a priest examines it. This early classification teaches that the laws of impurity apply universally to any garment, regardless of the owner's social standing. It affects the luxurious clothing of the wealthy, the simple attire of the poor, and even worn-out, patched fabrics [תורה תמימה, אדרת אליהו]. Unlike bodily leprosy, which requires secondary symptoms like white hair or the spreading of the affliction, garment leprosy relies solely on the presence of the vivid color. If this intense hue remains unchanged after a quarantine period, it serves as an absolute sign of impurity [ביאור יש״ר]. Consequently, whenever such an unnatural spot appears, there is an absolute obligation to present the item to a priest for inspection [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מנחת שי].