Metzora and Pesach: Hope for our Home & Homeland

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This week we triumphed over an existential threat that impacted us individually and nationally. Parshat Metzora and Pesach both focus on our homes and homeland as a source of strength, hope and protection. 

The parsha describes the purification process from tzara’at. This was a disease which affected not only a person’s body, but also can appear on one’s clothing and one’s home. However, tzara’at of the home is distinguished from that of the body and clothes as it only can appear once the people enter the land of Israel. While tzara’at is generally thought of as a punishment, when it appears on a home it can be seen in a positive light. Rashi teaches that it was a “besora,” good tidings, or a blessing, since the previous owners of the houses (Canaanites) hid their jewels in the walls which would be uncovered by Bnei Yisrael. Additionally, the kohen oversaw a process of renovation and purification which “attones for,” and renews the home. Establishing a home in Israel may entail hardship, but God provides hidden glimmers of hope and blessings. 

The home also plays a key role in the story of Pesach. Before they leave Egypt, God commands Bnei Yisrael to put blood on their doorposts. Rashi, citing the Mekhilta, explains that the blood was put on the inside of the doorpost, “as a sign for you.” And, God would see the people of Israel involved in performing mitzvot and would then protect them. The blood on the doorposts teaches that by fostering commitment in our individual homes, we will merit God’s national protection.

This Pesach, many homes are incomplete. Some have lost loved ones, some are still healing, some are away defending our homeland and some are still held captive, may Hashem redeem them. May this Pesach bring strength, nechama and renewal to our individual homes and may God see our commitment to our homeland and reward us with protection and salvation. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher ve-Sameach –Karen Miller Jackson

Tazria: Words that Hurt/Words that Heal

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One of the most unique traits of humankind is that we are created with the gift of speech and communication. How we use this gift can directly impact perception of ourselves, others and our world. 

The skin disease known as tzara’at, described in parshat Tazria, is associated with lashon ha’ra (evil speech) in Torah: When Miriam speaks badly about her brother Moshe, she gets tzara’at. When Moshe’s hand becomes leprous, Rashi explains that this is because he spoke badly about Bnei Yisrael. Just as the disease spreads across the body, critical and hurtful language spreads negativity and discord, and it can have disastrous consequences.

Speech is also a key element in the Pesach story. When the people were in Egypt, the midrash teaches that they had forgotten their language and that “speech was in exile.” The redemption, the Exodus, is characterized through Israel rediscovering their voice, through speech and song. Hence, Hasidic writings emphasize that Pesach can be read as “peh-sach,” “the mouth speaks.” And, the key mitzvah of the holiday is speaking – telling the story of redemption. This may also relate to Elijah’s connection with Pesach. He is harshly critical of Israel when he proclaims to God, “the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant…” In the Talmud, Elijah returns transformed and corrects false negative perceptions of the people. Rav Kook writes that he “perceives every spark of holiness in this world and redeems it.”  

This imperative of the parsha and Pesach feels particularly resonant for our world today. People have been moving further apart in their beliefs, making it harder to be able to disagree and debate ideas civilly. Also, we have seen how negative speech about the State of Israel quickly reverberates around the world. As it says in Mishlei: “There is blunt talk like sword-thrusts, but the speech of the wise is healing.” Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson