Study Moed Katan folio 7B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
it is with regard to a suspected metzora who is already in his second week of quarantine. One Sage, R' Meir, holds that the matter depends upon the discretion of the priest; if he is found ritually pure, the priest declares him pure, and if he is found ritually impure, the priest can remain silent.
The Talmud proceeds to analyze the baraita. The Master said that R' Yehuda HaNasi said: The statement of R' Yosei appears correct with regard to a confirmed metzora, and the statement of R' Meir appears correct with regard to a quarantined metzora. The Talmud raises an objection: But isn’t the oppos
The Talmud answers: This is a dispute between tanna’im in accordance with the opinion of R' Yehuda HaNasi. One Sage, the author of the latter baraita, holds that the company of the world at large is preferable to the metzora. Consequently, the priest may examine a confirmed metzora during the Festi
And one Sage, the author of the baraita (7a), holds that the company of his wife is preferable to the metzora. Consequently, the priest may not examine a confirmed metzora on the Festival, because if he declares that his symptoms have subsided, the metzora will begin his 7 day purification process,
The Talmud asks: Is this to say that a confirmed metzora is permitted to engage in sex with his wife? The Talmud answers: Yes, and so too it is taught in a baraita: With regard to a metzora who is counting his 7 days, it is written: “But he shall remain outside his tent 7 days” (Leviticus 14:8). Thi