The Law of Blemishes in Our Time

Hello, A. In our time, does a person with a blemish need to show it to a Kohen? B. If he shows it to a Kohen, is the Kohen obligated to declare him impure or not? C. If a Kohen sees a blemish on a person in public, is he required to declare him impure or not?

Hello and blessings, The law of blemishes applies even in our time. The author of Tiferet Yisrael, in his introduction to Nega'im, wrote that he wondered before Rabbi Akiva Eiger why we do not see this law observed even in our time. There are several explanations for this: A. Because we do not have a Kohen [and Israelite] knowledgeable in them and their names (Ra'aviah, Siman Tatmem, and see Sefer HaMitzvot by Maharam Chagiz, Kad). B. Because we do not have the priestly garments, and there is a discussion whether priestly garments are needed in this case. C. Because in our time, the laws of impurity and purity do not apply.

See Torat Kohanim, beginning of Parashat Metzora, and Tosefta Nega'im, Chapter 8, and Rambam, Chapter 11 of the laws of Tzara'at impurity, and Tosafot, Berakhot 5b. Rash ben Haithum, Moed Katan 14b, and see Chazon Ish, Nega'im, Siman 13, Subsection 17.