A man to whom shall occur on the skin of his flesh a skin-lesion (13:2)
"Shall occur" implies happenstance, something out of character; "on the skin of his flesh" likewise indicates that the blemish is superficial, affecting only the most external 'layer' of the person.
Even in describing a seemingly defective individual, the Torah attests to the inherent goodness of man. Any perceptible 'blemish' which he may display is merely a matter of externalities, only a superficial, 'skin-deep' facet of his character.
- Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory
Two market women had gotten into a dispute and were having it noisily out in the study of Rabbi Boruch Mordechai of Babroisk. The Rabbi finally deciphered enough of their arguments to hand down a ruling.
The losing party now attacked the Rabbi with a mouthful of vulgar curses. The Rebbetzin, drawn by the commotion, asked her husband why he didn't throw the vile woman from the house.
"She doesn't mean it," said the rabbi.
The woman's reaction was to let loose a fresh torrent of abuse which made the first round seem mild indeed.
"Tell me," Reb Boruch Mordechai asked the woman, "would you wish to have children like myself?" The woman gazed heavenward: "If only."
"You see," said Reb Boruch Mordechai to his wife, "she doesn't mean it."
