Commentary for Berakhot 10:8
ואי בעית אימא הא בצנעא הא בפרהסיא
Or if thou wilt, I can say the latter teaching refers to when the plague affects a hidden part of the body and the other to the case where an exposed part is affected. Is not childlessness to be considered [chastenings of love] ?
Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
When the plague affects a part of the body which is normally covered by clothing, it may be regarded as "an altar of atonement"; but when in addition to discomfort there is disfigurement visible to all, the teaching of R. Johanan applies.
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