Parshat Tazria-Metzora: From Destructive to Redemptive

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As fires raged through the beautiful Jerusalem Hills this week—just as we moved from Yom HaZikaron to Yom Ha’atzmaut—many were asking: is this a Divine message, and if so, what are we meant to learn? 

Parshat Tazria-Metzora teaches about tzara’at, a condition that appeared not only on a person’s skin, but also on clothing and even homes. While some interpret skin tzara’at as a physical ailment, the afflictions on garments and houses have no medical basis. For this reason, Rambam explains that they are supernatural signs—stages of spiritual warning. He describes a progression: the lesions appear first on the home, then on clothing, and finally on the person, signaling increasing distance from God—often due to speaking negatively about others.

Yet tzara’at isn’t only a punishment. The Torah teaches that when the people enter the land of Israel they will have tzara’at on their houses.  Surprisingly, Rashi calls this a “besora,” good news, because hidden treasures left in the walls by the previous inhabitants would be uncovered through the affliction. What seemed destructive was actually redemptive. The kohen would then oversee a process of purification—restoring and renewing the home.

We may no longer live in a biblical world of manifest miracles or clear signs of reward and punishment. Yet tzara’at teaches us to listen more closely for God’s messages. As the chilling final words found on Shauli Greenglick’s phone after he fell in Gaza remind us: “God speaks to me much more than I speak to Him.” As we witness the fires on the outskirts of Jerusalem, we are called to reflect inward—on our land, our homes, and ourselves. It is a time to examine how we speak about others, and how, through that process, we might emerge renewed and draw closer to Hashem. Shabbat Shalom -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

Parshat Tazria-Metzora: Speak Positive

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Humankind is created with the gift of speech and communication. How we use this gift can directly impact perception of ourselves, others and our world. This lesson is conveyed in parshat Tazria-Metzora and in daily tefilla.

The skin disease known as tzara’at is associated with lashon ha’ra (evil speech) in Torah: When Miriam speaks badly about her brother Moshe, she gets leprosy. When Moshe’s hand becomes leprous, Rashi explains that this is because he spoke badly about Bnei Yisrael. Similarly, the name parshat “Me-tzo-ra” is linked by the midrash to the phrase “motzi-shem-ra,” spreading evil rumors. Just as the disease spreads across the body, critical and hurtful language spreads negativity and discord, and it can have disastrous consequences.

Using our mouths responsibly is a value expressed in tefillah too. The Amidah prayer closes with the request “Hashem, protect my tongue from bad”. But speech isn’t only about avoiding the negative. The Amidah also opens with the request: אֲדֹנָי שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח וּפִי יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ – “Adonai, open my lips, and let my mouth declare Your praise.” Our prayers are a combination of praise, thanks, and requests for the wellbeing of ourselves, the Jewish people and the world. The focus on speech at the opening and closing of the Amidah is a reminder that in addition to avoiding bad speech and its consequences, using positive language spreads goodness and optimism. Appropriately, the source of the opening verse of the Amidah is Psalm 51, in which King David displays great humility and repentance through his speech. He admits his sins and prays for forgiveness.   

This emphasis on positive words is also seen in tefillat Yom Ha’atzmaut which also cites Tehillim, “Give thanks to God,” and “This is the day that the LORD has made, let us exult and rejoice on it.” This year in particular, amidst all the concern and disagreement, let’s focus on the praise, on speaking about the good in each other and in this precious country, our home. Shabbat Shalom, Chodesh tov and Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameach!! – Karen Miller Jackson

*photo Ben Gurion Declaration of Independence from https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/about/pages/declaration.aspx

Parshat Tazria (& Hachodesh): Renewal

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Is there such a thing as a spiritual ailment? Parshat Tazria suggests that perhaps there is. Tzara’at was a disease which affected not only a person’s body, but also can appear on one’s clothing and one’s home. The interpretations of the biblical description of tzara’at resonate and provide hope after a difficult week in Israel. 

While tzara’at of the skin has been interpreted by some as a physical ailment, the other 2 cases of tzara’at have no medical basis. Perhaps for this reason, Maimonides writes that they are not physical but rather supernatural. Rambam interprets the types of tzara’at as 3 levels of warning or distance from God: the lesion appears first on one’s house, then on one’s clothing and finally on the person him/herself. This view understands tzara’at as punishment or an indicator of a person’s spiritual state. 

However, tzara’at is also connected with goodness and renewal. The Torah teaches that when the people enter the land of Israel they will have tzara’at on their houses. Surprisingly, Rashi teaches that this was a “besora,” good tidings! This is a blessing since the previous owners of the houses hid their jewels in the walls which would be uncovered by Bnei Yisrael. In anticipation of hardship, God provided hidden glimmers of hope and blessings. Additionally, the kohen oversaw a process of renovation and purification which “attones for” and renews the home. 

The antidote to tzara’at provided the ability to emerge renewed and closer to Hashem. This highlights that there will be times of hardship and suffering, especially in the land of Israel, and there will also be renewal and blessings. This cycle – of darkness followed by light – is also reflected in the phases of the moon in parshat HaChodesh, read this Shabbat as well. As we mourn the recent immeasurable loss of life in Israel, we pray that it will be followed by good tidings, blessings and spiritual renewal. Shabbat Shalom – Karen Miller Jackson