“This is Parashat M’tzora. This portion functions as a continuation of the previous passages dealing with the deadly disease of tzara’at, commonly called leprosy. During regular years, the two short portions are read together; in leap years they are read separately.

The important lesson that must be appropriated from both Parashat Tazria and from Parashat M’tzora is that the disease of tzara’at could only be diagnosed and treated if it proved to be transitory. The job of the functioning cohen (priest) was to examine the patient, make notes on the condition, wait, reexamine the patient, make more notes, and finally pronounce the findings of his diagnosis. If you were fortunate his verdict was “tahor” (cleansed). For those unfortunate few who ended up with the chronic form of this skin malady their fate was sad indeed: banishment from the community of ritually clean people. The Torah prescribes no cure for chronic tzara’at.”