Why the Plague Strikes a Man's House Before His Body

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Tazria 14:1

Another interpretation: "When a person has on the skin of his flesh" (Leviticus 13:2). It is hard before the Holy One, blessed be He, to stretch out His hand against this person. Rather, He forewarns him and strikes his house, as it is said, "And I will put a plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession" (Leviticus 14:34). If he repents, well and good; but if not, He strikes his garment, as it is said, "And the garment in which there is a plague of leprosy" (Leviticus 13:47). If he repents, well and good; but if not, they come upon his body, as it is said, "When a person has on the skin of his flesh" (Leviticus 13:2).

Themes

Biblical References