The presentation of the laws of ritual purity continues in this portion. In particular, the priests are instructed as to the purification rites for a person determined to be afflicted with tzaraat as described in the previous portion. Instructions are also given for dealing with tzaraat in building stones (some kind of mold, blight or rot that showed up in the plaster.) Finally, procedures are set forth which are required when an Israelite, male or female, experiences discharges from the sexual organs. The Torah here seems to be classifying illness and disease as forms of impurity. Thus, they are placed in the realm of religious concern. All these impurities threatened, directly or indirectly, the purity of the sanctuary, which was located within the area of settlement. Therefore, for all Israelites, maintaining a state of purity was of great importance.
