A Kohen who is blind in one eye or whose vision is weak may not examine negaim, because the Torah states: ‘‘as far as the eyes of the Kohen can see.’’ We do not make new windows in a dark house in order to examine its nega.

How is a nega examined? A man is examined [in the position of] someone hoeing and of someone picking olives. A woman [is examined in the position of] someone shaping dough, and of someone nursing her child, and of someone who is weaving on a standing loom who exposes her underarm, for her right arm. R’ Yehudah says: Also [she assumes the position] of someone who is spinning linen for her left arm. Just as he is examined for his nega, so is he viewed for his shaving.

A person may examine any negaim except for his own. R’ Meir says: Also not the negaim of his relatives. A person may annul any vows except for his own. R’ Yehudah says: Also not the vows of his wife that are between her and others. A person may examine any first-born [animals] except for his own.

Everyone becomes tamei from negaim except for gentiles and a resident alien. Everyone is qualified to examine negaim but [declaring] tumah or taharah is in the hands of the Kohen. They say to him: ‘‘Say tamei,’’ and he says, ‘‘tamei;’’ ‘‘say tahor,’’ and he says, ‘‘tahor.’’ Two negaim are not examined simultaneously, whether they are on one person or on two people. Rather, [the Kohen] examines one nega and declares it confined, confirmed, or tahor, and then examines the second [nega]. We do not confine someone confined, nor do we confirm someone confirmed. We do not confine someone confirmed, nor do we confirm someone confined. However, initially, [or] at the end of the week, when [the Kohen] confines [the first nega] he may confine [the second nega], when he confirms [the first nega] he may confirm [the second], when he confines [the first nega], he may declare [the second] tahor, [or] when he confirms [the first nega] he may declare [the second] tahor.