Why Covering the Lips? Unpacking This Ancient Command

The Torah instructs the metzora to cover his lips, stating "and he shall cover his mustache."

How exactly does one do this, and what is the reason behind it?

According to Rabbi Hirsch, the idea is to pull down the head covering over the mouth, thus also covering the eyes. He interpreted the Talmud in Moed Katan, which says "and he shall cover his mustache" as indicating a head covering that drops down to the mouth.

Walking around like this might be challenging. Perhaps the fabric is not completely opaque, like a modern chiffon, or maybe the person looks downward, seeing only the ground. It's not pleasant to be a metzora.

But why specifically cover only up to the mustache and not the mouth?

Some commentators suggest that the mouth should remain uncovered so the metzora can call out "Unclean, unclean" to warn others to keep away. In medieval times, a special hat with a bell attached served a similar purpose by alerting people to keep their distance.

However, this explanation feels a bit forced. After all, "Unclean, unclean" can still be called out with a covered mouth.

Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra offers a different interpretation, suggesting that covering the mustache means from below rather than above. Instead of a head covering, it involves a scarf from the chin to the mustache, ensuring the mouth is covered to prevent the metzora's saliva from affecting others.

Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin, on the other hand, explains that the mouth covering is symbolic: since the metzora spoke lashon hara, using his mouth to harm others, his lips are now sealed. This reflects the Midrash, which states "his lips are sealed."

May we be spared from lashon hara and the troubles that follow.