Torah Thoughts - Tazria

Torah Thoughts    Tazria

March 28 & 29,2014  Adar2 26 & 27,5774

"When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling, a rash, or a discoloration, and it develops into a scaly affection of the skin of his body, it shall be reported to [or he shall be brought before] Aaron the priest or to one of his sons, the priests. (JPS Tanakh, Leviticus)[5]     

“According to some (such as ArtScroll) the three subdivisions of skin ‘tzaraath’  (affliction) are best left transliterated, rather than translated, because there are no equivalent English terms and any attempt to translate them greatly diminishes the distinctiveness and focus of the Hebrew term.” 

This is in reference to leprosy.  It is not the leprosy we know of today, but more focused on those that were ousted (maybe acted differently, or maybe ill speaking, and telling an exaggerated story!).  Were they different? Yes, of course! These were the people isolated and waiting for a ‘cure’ and blessing from the Kohan (high priests).   With such happenings in such a tight-knit community, to be different, and maybe lack the same belief or a little different spiritually, one may just bring him/herself to being a “leper”. 

Is this much different than today?  Have we evolved?  I think on the exterior or in our speech, it might appear that way, but do OUR actions?  As my mom used to use to say, “Actions speak louder than words!” 

Do you or have you ever ignored your child at times to focus on something YOU could easily do after his/her bed-time, like be on facebook?  Do you yell profane, prejudice names when another driver that YOU think is driving too slowly and it really does not impede you?  My dad drives like a snail, and G-d, I hope no one yells at him or an ill-fated gesture!  Do we have prejudices and treat ALL equally, or NOT?  Do we look at a couple that is together and doesn't fit YOUR criteria and sit in judgment?  Our politicians ‘tell stories’, and make false promises.  

Is this lack of true altruistic being, loving, unselfish attitude, and prejudice? Is this who we are today?  Have we lost our faith in humanity and in others as equals, and has today’s world tainted our feelings and our actions about others to be able to treat another being with respect no matter what race, creed, color, belief, as long as he/she or group does not cause harm to you/us physically or emotionally?

I ask, “Who is the leper?”  WHO IS THE PROVERBIAL LEPER?  Is it the person that might be a true person standing out in the crowd and making an honest effort and showing his/her spirituality and soul? Is it the couple of guys holding hands? Is it the Orthodox Jew who has a beard and wears a Kippah, or a Sikh wearing a turban, or an interracial couple walking down the street hand in hand?  OR, IS THE LEPER THE ONE WHO PASSES JUDGEMENT?

-Amen-