Daily Mitzvah (Rambam)

The 308th prohibition is that we are forbidden from cutting off the signs of tzora'as or burning them in order to change their appearance.1

The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,2 "Be careful regarding the signs of tzora'as."

The Sifri says, "The verse, 'Be careful regarding the signs of tzora'as' constitutes a Biblical prohibition." Similarly, the Mishneh says,3 "Anyone who pulls off signs of tumah or burns healthy skin [within a mark of tzora'as] transgresses a Biblical prohibition," and is punished by lashes, as explained elsewhere.

Footnotes

1.

A white discoloration of the skin does not by itself render the person tameh. Only if it is followed by another sign of tumah — such as the growth of at least two white hairs or the development of a patch of healthy skin within the white area — does he become tameh. Pulling out these white hairs or burning the healthy skin to change its appearance would be covered by this prohibition.

2.

Deut. 24:8.

3.

Negaim 7:4.

The 307th prohibition is that we are forbidden from shaving the hair of a bald patch.1

The source of this prohibition is G‑d's statement,2 "Do not shave the bald patch."

The Sifri says, "What verse teaches us that one who pulls off signs of tumah from within a bald patch transgresses a Biblical prohibition? The verse, 'Do not shave the bald patch.' "

Footnotes

1.

A bald patch (nesek) renders a person tameh when it spreads or when gold-colored hairs grow within it. In order to tell whether or not it has spread, all the hair surrounding the bald area is shaved except for a border two hairs in width. This ring of hair serves as a mark to indicate whether the nesek has spread further.

Some explain that the Rambam considers this prohibition to be removing the gold hairs. Others hold that the prohibition is to cut off the ring of hair, and that cutting the gold hairs is covered by N308. See Kapach, 5731, note 84. Kapach, 5718, note 487. Yad HaLevi, note 1.

2.

Lev. 13:33.