Parashat Tazria - Metzora
PARSHA OVERVIEW
Tazria
The Torah commands a woman to bring korbanot after the birth of a child. A son is to be circumcised on the eighth day of his life. The Torah introduces the phenomenon of tzara'at (often mistranslated as leprosy) — a miraculous affliction that attacks people, clothing and buildings to awaken a person to spiritual failures. A kohen must be consulted to determine whether a particular mark is tzara'at or not. The kohen isolates the sufferer for a week. If the malady remains unchanged, confinement continues for a second week, after which the kohen decides the person's status. The Torah describes the different forms of tzara'at. A person whose tzara'at is confirmed wears torn clothing, does not cut his hair, and must alert others that he is ritually impure. He may not have normal contact with people. The phenomenon of tzara'at on clothing is described in detail.
Metzora
The Torah describes the procedure for a metzora (a person afflicted with tzara'at) upon the conclusion of his isolation period. This process extends for a week and involves korbanot and immersions in the mikveh. Then, a kohen must pronounce the metzora pure. A metzora of limited financial means may substitute lesser offerings for the more expensive animals. Before a kohen diagnoses that a house has tzara'at, household possessions are removed to prevent them from also being declared ritually impure. The tzara'at is removed by smashing and rebuilding that section of the house. If the tzara’at signs reappear, the entire building must be razed. The Torah details which bodily secretions render a person spiritually impure, and thereby prevent his contact with holy items. And the Torah defines how one regains a state of ritual purity.
PARSHA INSIGHTS
Windbag
“This is the law of the metzora.” (14:2)
Two causes of the spiritual affliction called tzara’at were gossip and slander. The Torah considers these sins very grave. Habitual gossip and slander are equivalent to the three cardinal sins of idol worship, murder and adultery. Someone who habituates himself to this kind of speech forfeits his place in the future world. (Erchin 15b)
Primarily, we are physical creatures. At best, our soul is a lodger in the house of the body. We find spiritual concepts abstruse and difficult to grasp. A blood-strewn battlefield makes more of an impression on us than the silent holocaust of character assassination.
For this reason, the metzora is brought to the kohen. This person, who was so cavalier with his words, who did not understand the power of speech, stands in front of the kohen, and with one word the kohen decides his fate: “Tahor “or “Tamei.” He is pronounced as being either “Pure” or “Impure.” Just one word can return him to the society of man, and just one word can banish him to solitude and ostracism.
“For behold, He forms mountains and creates winds; He recounts to a person his conversation.” (Amos 4:13)
Ostensibly, the first half of this verse has little to do with the second. However, the prophet is answering the question, “Of what importance is a word? Words have no substance.”
“…behold, He forms mountains…”
- Sources: Dubner Magid and Mayana shel Torah in Iturei Torah
