Moed Katan Chart #4
Chart for Moed Katan Daf 7b
THE REQUIREMENTS OF SEPARATION
FOR A METZORA MUSGAR AND A METZORA MUCHLAT
| (A) MUST HE LEAVE THE COMMUNITY (SHILUA'CH) (1)? |
(B) MUST HE SEPARATE FROM HIS WIFE? |
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| 1 | METZORA MUSGAR (2) | No (3) | Yes (4) |
| 2 | TAHOR AFTER HESGER | No | No |
| 3 | METZRORA MUCHLAT (5) | Yes | No (6) |
| 4 | TAHOR AFTER HECHLET | No | Yes |
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FOOTNOTES:
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(1) The same law applies to the requirements of Peri'ah and Perimah, which also apply only to a Metzora Muchlat (Megilah 8b; see Tosfos 7a, and see Insights).
(2) When the Kohen inspects the Metzora Musgar, he must either be Metamei him and render him a Metzora Muchlat (row 3 in chart) or be Metaher him mi'Toch Hesger (row 2). In either case, the ruling of the Kohen will create a leniency with regard to whether the Metzora may be with his wife: whether he becomes Tamei or Tahor, he will be permitted to be with his wife (column B). However, with regard to whether he may be with the rest of the community, if the Kohen is Metamei him he requires Shilu'ach and must be sent out of the three Machanos (3:A in chart). Therefore, according to the opinion that a person prefers to be with his wife rather than with his friends ("Tzavta d'Ishto Adif"), the Kohen is permitted to inspect the Metzora Musgar on Chol ha'Mo'ed, because the Metzora will not suffer (by having to separate from his wife) regardless of what the Kohen rules. In contrast, according to the opinion that a person prefers to be with his friends rather than with his wife ("Tzavta d'Alma Adif"), the Kohen is not permitted to inspect him, because if the Kohen rules that he is Tamei he will suffer (by having to be sent away). (RASHI; see Insights. Compare with footnote 5 below.)
(3) This is clear from RASHI (DH Mar Savar and DH u'Mar Savar). However, the Gemara in Megilah (8b) clearly states that a Metzora Musgar also requires Shilu'ach from the three Machanos, as TOSFOS (7a) and the Rishonim ask on Rashi (see Insights).
(4) This is according to RASHI. According to TOSFOS, a Metzora Musgar is like a Metzora Muchlat and is permitted to be with his wife (see Insights).
(5) When the Kohen inspects the Metzora Muchlat, he must either be Metaher him (row 4) or leave him as a Muchlat (row 3). As the chart demonstrates, if the Kohen is Metaher him he benefits by being able to be with his friends (he may re-enter the Machaneh Yisrael), but he suffers by having to separate from his wife (since he will be prohibited to her until he brings his Korbanos). Therefore, according to the opinion that "Tzavta d'Ishto Adif," the Kohen is not permitted to inspect the Metzora Muchlat on Chol ha'Mo'ed. According to the opinion that "Tzavta d'Alma Adif," the Kohen is permitted to inspect him, because even if the Kohen is Metamei him he will not suffer as a result (because until now he was also Tamei).
(6) This ruling is according to Rebbi and Rebbi Chiya. Rebbi Yosi bar'Rebbi Yehudah, however, argues that a Metzora Muchlat is prohibited to be with his wife.