Leviticus Rabbah on “Leprosy”

6. It is written: [When you come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession,] and I put the plague of leprosy [in a house of the land of your possession] (Leviticus 14:34). R. Ḥiyya taught: And is this good news, that plagues are coming upon them? R. Simeon ben Yoḥai taught: When the Canaanites heard that the Israelites were coming to their land, they got up and hid their wealth in the walls [of their houses] and in [their] fields. The Holy One said, “I did not promise your ancestors that I would bring their children into a wasteland but to a land filled with all that is good, as is written: Houses filled with all that is good, [which you did not fill] (Deuteronomy 6:11). So what did the Holy One do? He would loose a plague on an [Israelite] house so then when he demolishes it, he finds treasure within; his field would be burned so that when ploughing it he would find a treasure.

But who came and told the Canaanites that Israel was about to enter the land? R. Ishmael bar Naḥman said: Joshua ben Nun sent them three proclamations. Whoever wants to leave [the land] should leave. [Whoever wants to] make peace [with Israel] should make peace. And whoever wants to wage war should do so. The Girgashites left. For this reason, they were given land more beautiful than theirs [had been], as it is written: Until I come and take you away to a land like your own (Isaiah 36:17). This [refers to] Africa. The Gibeonites made peace, [as is written:] And the inhabitants of Gibeon made peace [with Israel] (Joshua 10:1). Thirty-one kings waged war and fell.

7. [And I put the plague of leprosy] in a house of the land of your possession (Leviticus 14:34). This [refers to] the Temple [bet ha-mikdash], as the scripture states: Behold, I am about to desecrate my sanctuary [mikdashi], the pride of your might (Ezekiel 24:21).

The one whose house it is shall then come (Leviticus 14:35). This [refers to] the Holy One. Because of My house that lies in ruins (Haggai 1:9).

And he shall tell the priest (Leviticus 14:35). This [refers to] Jeremiah, [as scripture states:] These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth [ . . . ] (Jeremiah 1:1).

Something that appears to me like a plague is upon my house (Leviticus 14:35)—this [refers to] the filth of idolatry. And there are those who say that this [refers to] Manasseh’s idol, as is written: And behold, to the north of the altar gate, this statue of jealousy stood in the entry (Ezekiel 8:5). [ . . . ]

Then the priest shall command that the house be emptied out (Leviticus 14:36). And he took the treasures of the House of the Lord (1 Kings 14:26).

And he shall tear down the house [ . . . ] (Leviticus 14:45). Who destroyed this house [i.e., the Temple] (Ezra 5:12).

And he shall carry [the demolition waste] outside the city to an impure place (ibid.)—that is, Babylon, [as it is written:] And the people he exiled to Babylon (Ezra 5:12). You might think [this exile] would be forever, but the Torah teaches [otherwise:]

And they shall take other stones [and they will bring them in place of the stones . . .] (Leviticus 14:42), [as scripture states:] Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I shall set in Zion a foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone. Whoever trusts shall not make haste” (Isaiah 28:16).

Translated byAaron Samuels.