Today, I was learning the daily Chumash for the day and I was struck by something so simple , yet so profound (by the way - all are invited to join our daily Chumash zoom 9:05am M-F as we study together the daily portion with a lively group - reply to this email if you want to be added to list).
In this week's Torah portion of Ki Tetzei, the Torah recounts some additional details and prohibitions related to TZAARAT. For those who need a refresher, The sages explain that tzaraat was actually a supernatural biblical skin affliction that would usually come about due to a number of sins, most notably the sin of speaking lashon hara, derogatory speech. White spots would appear on the person. They would then have to go to the local Kohen expert on this condition to determine if it was indeed this tzaraat condition. If it was, the afflicted person would have to be quarantined to allow for personal reflection and better themselves, from which the tzaraat would then fade away.
This week the Torah adds a caution when you think you might have this condition initially:
"Be cautious regarding the lesion of tzara'ath, to observe meticulously and you shall do according to all that the Levite priests instruct you; as I have commanded them, [so shall you] observe to do.
Be cautious regarding the lesion of tzara’ath: that you do not remove any of the signs of uncleanness [e.g., by peeling off the skin], and that you do not cut off a bahereth, bright spot. — [Sifrei 24:140, Mak. 22a]
according to all that [the Levite kohanim] instruct you: whether to quarantine [the person with tzara’ath], whether to make a decisive diagnosis [of tzara’ath], or whether to declare him clean.
Remember what the Lord, your God, did to Miriam: If you wish to take precautions against being stricken with tzara’ath, then do not speak לָשׁוֹן הָרַע [slander, derogatory remarks]. Remember what was done to Miriam, who spoke against her brother [Moses] and was stricken with lesions [of tzara’ath] (see Num. 12:1-16). - [Sifrei 24: 141]
While tzaraat does not appear nowadays post-biblical era, I was super-struck by a very relevant message we can learn from all the above:
When you think you might have a problem or a character flaw, don't try to RIP OFF the SYMPTOMS. The Torah is telling us when we think we have an issue we need to get to the bottom of it.
How?
Step 1) Go to your local spiritual counselor or a mentor (that was the role of the biblical Kohen). Have an outside and objective voice determine if you really have an issue.
Step 2) If there is an issue, your mentor should help you reflect on the root cause and help you get to the bottom.
Step 3) Think about stories of others who had this issue and how they prevailed (like Miriam).
That's it! Then you will be truly healed moving forward.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom/Good Shabbos
Rabbi Yitzi and Rishi Hein