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As we learned on yesterday’s daf, the Mishna (2a) described that mar’ot nega’im – shades of leprous marks – are “two that are four.” That is to say that the two signs of plagues of leprosy mentioned in the Torah (see Vayikra 13:1-2) – a se’et or a baheret – each have toladot – other, lower level signs of this plague – that are similar to them in color. According to the Gemara, a se’et is the color of the white wool of a newly born lamb, and its tolada is the color of the membrane of an egg. A beheret is the intense white color of snow and its tolada is white like the lime plaster of the Temple sanctuary walls.
On our daf, we find that the Sages attempt to offer parallels to this hierarchy by describing the relationship between a king and his underlings. Rava rejects the suggestions made by the other Sages arguing that the only true parallel is the relationship between two kings who are on the same level – like Shevor Malka, the king of Persia, and the Roman Caesar. In response, Rav Pappa asked him which of the two is greater. Rava replied that Rav Pappa’s question makes it sound as though he was living in a forest his whole life, since everyone knows which currency is more widely accepted in the world.
We explore medical therapies in talmud.