The twin Parashot of Tazriah
and Metzorah present us with a broad cross section of afflictions of
one's body, clothing and home. While these afflict the physical, they are
spiritual in nature; which is why they are diagnosed by a priest, a Kohen, not
a doctor. The cause is generally ascribed to libelous talk. This is why the one
afflicted with tzara'at (inaccurately defined as leprosy) was sent out
of the Israelite camp, a more severe form of isolation than one deemed impure
by having come in contact with a dead body. As he/she tried to isolate the
object of their libel, so shall they be isolated.
But, as we say, G-D
truly works in strange ways. For as depressed as we may be over such occurrences,
there can be an unforeseen silver lining. Imagine the funk you would find
yourself in, if you were told that your home had to be partially or totally
razed due to its walls being afflicted with tzara'at. Yet, there is a
very positive reason why this occurred: as cited by Rashi (14:34), Va'Yikrah
Rabbah relates that for the forty years during which the Jewish people
travelled through the desert, the native tribes in the Land of Canaan, the
Amorites, would bury their valuables in the walls of their homes. After the
Israelites conquered the land, they occupied those homes.
Imagine the joy, the
positive feelings. And then—utter despair! Tzara'at is discovered on a
wall of the home, and it must be torn down. Oh, woe is me! Only to be replaced
once again by the most upbeat of emotions, when the hidden treasure is exposed.
What a powerful lesson—one
must guard their emotions at all times!! Invariably, highs will be followed
by lows. And just as invariably, lows will be followed by highs. Following
every mountain, there might be a valley, but after the valley there will likely
be another mountain.
Shabbat Shalom!
Michoel David ben Dov Ber
4 Adar Bet 5774
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