WEEKLY TORAH
WEEKLY TORAH
For our current Torah Gem
Call 917-747-1110 or email ChadishMD@aol.com
TORAH GEM TO SHARE TAZRIA / METZORA
Monday, April 28th and Tuesday is Rosh Chodesh Iyar. May it bring to us the blessings of Hashem.
"...the Kohain shall look at it and declare him contaminated" [Vayikra 13:3].
Parshat Tazria discusses what a person had to do when he found a white patch on his skin similar to leprosy. For many years, people who read this portion of the Torah assumed that "Tzoraat" was leprosy and the purpose of the quarantine was to isolate the individual and prevent the spread of disease. A careful examination of the text shows that fear of contagion was not the reason that the Kohain isolated the individual.
Tzoraat is really a physical symptom of a spiritual malady; it is a warning sign designed to show the offender that he must mend his ways.
Our sages teach that the primary cause of Tzoraat is the sin of slander. "He must remain alone, and his place shall be outside the camp" [Vayikra 13:46]. The penalty for isolating another person with hurtful words is to become isolated from one's community. Even the word Metzora, says the Talmud in Arachin 15b can be understood as "Motzi Ra" - one who spreads evil. Tzoraat exposes the slanderer in the same way that he/she exposed someone else.
In Judaism, the principle of "Mida Kneged Mida" - measure for measure applies to many situations. In this case, the punishment fits the crime, because the offender is rebuked for his anti-social behavior. He gets to experience the pain he has imposed on others when he is isolated, and hopefully he becomes healed by doing Teshuva.
We find the theme of Mida Kneged Mida throughout the Torah and especially with regard to our Pesach celebration: Pharoah drowned Jewish babies and was ultimately drowned himself. The Ten Plagues were divine retribution for the same type of suffering the Egyptians inflicted on B'nai Yisroel! Even the root of our enslavement can be traced to Yosef's brothers who caused his confinement which led to the Pesach story.
We can apply the idea of "Mida Kneged Mida" in a positive way to beautify our lives. In the merit of your KINDNESS...you'll always have what you need!
Kol Tov! Our best to you...it's all good. Shabbat Shalom, CM
CHADISH FORUM - PLEASE TELL US
This week we learned how the walls of our homes offer insight into our character. What do you see when you visit Jewish homes and look at their walls? How about your digital device?
Send mail to chadishmd@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site