[If a metzora] enters a synagogue, a partition is made for him ten handbreadths high [for an area] four cubits wide. He enters first and leaves last. Anything that requires a fastened cover to curtail [tumah] in the tent of a corpse, requires a fastened cover to curtail [tumah] in an afflicted house; and anything that requires only a covering to curtail [tumah] in the tent of a corpse, requires only a covering to curtail [tumah] in an afflicted house, these are the words of R’ Meir. R’ Yose says: Anything that requires a fastened cover to curtail [tumah] in the tent of a corpse, requires only a covering to curtail [tumah] in an afflicted house, and anything that requires only a covering to curtail [tumah] in the tent of a corpse is tahor in an afflicted house, even if it is uncovered.

How do we make a metzora tahor? He brings a new earthenware pitcher, places in it a quarter [of a log] of ‘‘living water,’’ and brings two wild birds. [The Kohen] slaughters one of them over the earthenware vessel onto the ‘‘living water,’’ digs [a hole], and buries [the bird] in front [of the metzora]. He takes cedar wood, eizov, and red wool, and binds them together with the end of the wool. Then [the Kohen] brings the tips of the wings and the tip of the tail of the second [bird] near [the cedar wood, eizov, and red wool], dips and sprinkles [them] seven times on the back of the metzora’s hand. Some say: On his forehead. And so, too, would [the Kohen] sprinkle on the outside of the lintel of an afflicted house.