The Cleansing Touch

[Shimon]

parashas Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1 – 15:33) 5781

“So you are to keep Bnei-Yisrael separate from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when defiling My tabernacle that is in their midst.”

– Leviticus 15:31, Tree of Life Version

The metzora (Biblical leper) contracts tzarras (a skin disease), primarily, as a divine retribution for slander, as well as for other transgressions. However, the so-called plague of leprosy, mentioned in Torah is not the leprosy of more modern times. Rather, it is a category of various skin diseases that need to be determined by the Kohein: for only the Kohein has the authority to make the pronouncement. “Thus the kohen should examine him and pronounce him unclean” (Leviticus 13:3, TLV).

The metzorim were sent outside of the camp. Their ostraciztion was meant to compel them to think about the effects of their transgressions. In the case, of lashon hara, the effect of gossip is to cause others to distance themselves from the one who is slandered. In like manner, the slanderer is punished by being sent away from the community, so that he would have plenty of time in isolation to reflect upon his transgressions.

The leprosy, whiteness of the skin is a sign that shows the manifest appearance of the transgression. Sin may live below the surface of our awareness; there may be visible signs in our lives, even in the case of illness, that we may heed as wake-up calls for teshuvah (repentance).

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of G’d.”

– Kehillah in Rome 3:23, Tree of Life Version

Sending the metzorim sent outside of the camp, hints at an important tenet, according to the Torah. That they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile My tabernacle that is in the midst of them. (Leviticus 15:31). The metzorim were sent to the further reaches of the camp, in the wilderness, demonstrating that their unclean (tamei) status, prevented them from approaching the Tabernacle where the L'RD dwells.

In the center of the camp was the Shechinah, present within the midst of the Mishkan, where the Kohein were gathered. The Levites also, were stationed immediately outside of the Mishkan. Then, the various camps of the rest of the tribes of Israel were encamped around them. Thus, at the furthermost reaches of the camp, far away from the Mishkan, the metzorim were sent. Your iniquities have separated between you and your G’d” (Isaiah 59:2).

How may we attach (deveykus) ourselves to the L’RD, knowing that we are unclean, in the sense that we err in our hearts every day. “For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not (Ecclesiastes 7:20). “Yet, the L’RD is merciful, Who forgiveth all thine iniquity; who healeth all Thy diseases; who redeemeth Thy life from the pit; who encompasseth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thine old age with good things; so that Thy youth is renewed like the eagle” (Psalm 103:3-5).

“The blind see and the lame walk, those with tzara’at are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised and the poor have good news proclaimed to them.”

– Matthew 11:5, Tree of Life Version