A metzorah [a person afflicted with tzara'at- a spiritual illness expressing itself in certain physical manifestations] came to the Rabbi, beseeching him and falling on his knees before him, and saying, "If you are willing, you are able to purify me."
Moved with compassion, the Rabbi stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be purified."
Immediately the tzara'at left him and he became pure. The Rabbi sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and he said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the Levitical priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
But he went out and began to proclaim it profusely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that the Rabbi could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to him from everywhere.
-- This is the life of The Rabbi. --