Neghaʿim (Hebrew: נגעים, "Blemishes") is the third tractate of the order ofTohorot in theMishnah. It consists of fourteen chapters. Nega'im describes the various forms oftzaraath, aleprosy-like disease described in theParshiyot ofTazria andMetzora in theTorah, which affected people,clothing, and homes. The tractate describes the different types of blemishes symptomatic of the disease, and the various rituals involved in purifying someone who has been affected by it.
This tractate, along withOholot, was considered one of the most difficult tractates;[1] according to a Jewish legend, KingDavid is said to have asked of God that reading theBook of Psalms be considered the equivalent of studying the tractate of Negaim and Oholot.[2]
There is noGemara for Nega'im in either theBabylonian orJerusalem Talmud.
