We read this week what can be considered one of the most difficult Parshiot in the Torah. Not only is it difficult to read, but the subject of various types of leprosy and their diagnosis, is not one that generally leads to spiritual enthusiasm. Yet the Rabbis saw in these passages deep moral significance. Leprosy, they contended, based on various stories in the Torah, was a punishment for slander, They even saw in the fate of the leper, banishment and isolation, punishment for seeking to cause dissension between his neighbours. Just as the slanderer sought to separate people from each other; so is he now separated from the rest of society. But even in the process of the diagnosis of the disease we can find a moral lesson. The Torah makes specific distinctions between different types of leprosy and its effect on the body. We are not allowed to jump to conclusions on first sight, but must wait a week or two, in order to ascertain the exact prognosis. We must make exact judgements as to the nature of the disease in each case, before we are allowed to declare a person a leper, burn someone’s garments or destroy their house. How different this is from the activities of the slanderer. Those who defame others, mostly do so using broad generalisations, on the basis of scanty evidence and with little regard for the consequences. The Torah, on the other hand, teaches us the proper mode of criticism. It must be specific, based on fact and proportionate. Investigation and detailed analysis must precede, not follow, any accusation. Acceptable criticism must also have another element, one outlined in the second of our two Parshiot. The leper does not stay banished for ever, but is, by the proper ritual, brought back into society. These ceremonies, according to tradition, also have an educational and moral dimension. The experience of the leper is not meant to destroy him; rather improve him morally and spiritually, and enable him to take his place in society. In this vein, acceptable criticism must never be wholly negative. It must always have at its heart the aim and ability to positively impact on the person or institution criticised. These Parshiot are often read the week before Yom Ha’atzmaut. Israel is far from perfect, but much of the criticism directed against it is unjust, generalised and totally negative. Israel does need, on occasion, to hear the critical voice of the Diaspora. But it should be a voice based of the criterion of our Parshah, and given with love.

ALIYAH BY ALIYAH SYNOPSIS

Rishon	Laws of childbirth and leprosy.
Sheni	Leprosy of the head and face.
Shelishi	Leprosy in garments.
Revi’i	Purification from leprosy.
Chamishi	Purification of the poor leper.
Shishi	Leprosy in houses.
Shevi’i	Laws of bodily issues.
Maftir	The Shabbat and Rosh Hodesh offerings.
Haftorah	II Kings: 7;2-20: Lepers save Samaria.

 

Sidra Statistics

Parshat Tazria -  Metzoria

·               has 67 + 90 = 137 verses;

·               is the  4th + 5th  in Leviticus,  27th + 28th  in the Torah

·               8th + 5th  longest in Leviticus,  48th + 41st  longest  in the Torah  

·                have together 16 pos + 2 neg  = 17  mitzvot.