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Comforting The III

Shabbat Tazria:
Leviticus 12:1-13:59; Exodus 12:1-20;
Ezekiel 45:16-46:18.

A

t first glance (and even
distress known to the community
second and third glance),
in order that people will pray on his
Parashat Tazria makes
behalf (Moed Katan 5a).
many of us uncomfortable. This is due
The kohen's personal example, to
primarily to its detailed description
visit a person with a physical ailment,
of unusual skin afflictions. We might
reminds us of the power and impor-
further be troubled by the punishment tance of participating in the mitzvah
inflicted on one who is determined
of bikkur cholim, the visiting of the
to have tzara'at, usually translated as
sick.
"leprosy," as such a person is required
Bikkur cholim is one of the acts
to live in isolation from the commu-
of kindness for which God is our
nity for at least seven days.
role model (Sotah 14a). R. Abba ben
It is neither pleasant to
Hanina teaches that the
read about the affliction,
very act of visiting an ill
nor to consider the physical
person removes one 60th
and emotional plight of the
of the pain and suffer-
one afflicted (and subse-
ing (Nedarim 39b). In
quently isolated). But a sec-
Talmud Berakhot 5b, Rabbi
ond look at Parashat Tazria
Yochanan teaches by per-
offers a different, and much
sonal example that visiting
more positive perspec-
and holding the hand of
tive. The one afflicted with
the ill person can bring
tzara'at is personally visited
healing.
by the kohen (priest), first
Rabbi Elliot
Rather than be "turned
to make the diagnosis, and
Pachter
off" by the content of
Special to the
then to recheck the condi-
Parashat Tazria, we should
tion seven days later.
Jewish News
be encouraged to consider
As explained in the
who are the isolated mem-
Conservative movement's Torah com-
bers in our community — includ-
mentary, Etz Hayim (p. 652): The role
ing those who are unable to leave
of the kohen was not simply to diag-
home because of illness or disability
nose the ailment but to reintegrate the — and heed the lessons of our Torah.
person into the community as soon as Following the example of the kohen,
possible. In other words, the kohen's
our goal should be to make anyone's
ultimate goal is not to exclude the
feeling of isolation, a short and tem-
one afflicted, but to enable his or her
porary situation. And falling short of
return.
this goal, our personal contact will go
But even if the kohen's visit after
a long way to bringing comfort. ❑
seven days does not result in a conclu-
sion to the isolation, the very act of
Elliot Pachter is the rabbi of Congregation
visiting the afflicted is a positive ges-
B'nai Moshe in West Bloomfield.
ture. On the same page of Etz Hayim,
it is explained: When the kohen visited
the afflicted person in isolation and
examined the person's sores, the expe-
rience of being cared for by the most
Conversations
prestigious person in the community
What is the connection between
must have helped generate healing
physical and spiritual health? Do
powers in the sick person.
we ever, whether consciously or
The underlying message of Parashat
not, cause another person to feel
Tazria is not merely to isolate one
isolated from the community?
afflicted, but rather to encourage
Try to remember your most posi-
human connection in spite of the
tive experience of bikkur cholim,
affliction. Commenting on Leviticus
either as the patient of visitor,
13:45, the Talmud explains that the
and share this story with your
reason the one with tzara'at cries
friends and family.
out: "impure, impure!" is to make his

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