Linguistic Detail as a Source of Law

[And the garment, when there is a plague of leprosy in it, whether it be a garment of wool or a garment of linen (Leviticus 13:47).]

Scripture says: And the garment [rather than simply “the garment”]: I know [that susceptibility to leprosy impurity applies] only to a garment in which are woven three-by-three fingerbreadths of material. How do I know from scripture [that susceptibility to leprosy impurity applies to] a garment in which there are not woven three-by-three fingerbreadths of material? Scripture says: And the garment [and indicates an expanded meaning].

In the case of the garment, I know [that susceptibility to leprosy impurity applies] only about a garment in which there is room for it to spread. How do I know from scripture [that susceptibility to leprosy impurity applies to] a garment in which there is no room for it to spread? Scripture says: And the garment—the words of R. Eliezer.

R. Ishmael said to him, “Look, you say to scripture, ‘Be silent while I expound your meaning!’” R. Eliezer said to him, “Ishmael, you are a mountain-palm [which does not produce fruit].”