The Kohen is the only individual which the Torah authorizes to render a decision regarding a person’s tzaraas. This is consistent with the pasuk in Devarim 21:5, “And according to his word, shall be every grievance and every plague.” Indeed, if for some reason the Kohen is not proficient in the area of negaim, plagues, Chazal state in Toras Kohanim, that a talmid chacham, Torah scholar, should be asked to observe the plague and instruct the Kohen “shoteh” in the decision to be rendered. The Kesef Mishneh notes the use of the word “shoteh,” fool, to describe a Kohen who…
