spirit

J E W I S H

torah portion

F A M I L Y

S E R V I C E

ANNUAL EVENT

Uncovering The Past.
Strengthening The Future.

Sandy Muskovitz Danto, Chair

An evening with

Seeking The Spiritual

I

Parshat Tazria/
Metzora: Leviticus
12:1-15:33; II Kings
7:3-7:20.

n the midst of the Book of
Leviticus, the Torah spends two
parashiyot focused on the dis-
ease tzara’at.
No ordinary disease, tzara’at can-
not only effect a person’s skin but
also clothing and even the stones
of a house. While tzara’at is often
translated as leprosy, it is
most likely not that disease.
so I can revert to my cor-
In fact, if we consider
rupt behavior, consider the
the fact that our tradition
bird that has been freed,
ascribes spiritual reasons for
which remains alive and
this malady, it is no surprise
would be able to return.
that tzara’at doesn’t match
Thus, if you renege on your
up cleanly with any disease
repentance, you will end up
known to modern medicine.
with a relapse of tzara’at.”
Rabbi Steven
While there are a variety
It seems to me that there
Rubenstein
of explanations within our
is a profound insight in the
tradition as to the cause
Midrash Tadshe’s under-
of tzara’at, the most com-
standing of this ritual. When
mon one is that tzara’at is caused by
we are spiritually sick, we feel a great
speaking slander and gossip. This is
sense of relief when we are healed.
a clear sign of the seriousness with
When we act badly and suffer the
which our ancestors took the issue
effects of that bad behavior, we just
of proper speech. Still, it is a very
want to emerge from that suffer-
unusual cause for disease.
ing. And when it is over, we want to
Unusual also is the manner in
bury it like the bird in this ritual. We
which a person is healed of the dis-
want to get rid of the pain. But our
ease. The Torah gives a very specific
sense of relief can blind us to the
course of inspections by the priest,
possibility that the pain can return
waiting periods, isolation and cleans- as a result of future bad behavior —
ing rituals as part of the purification
it can return just as the bird that at
process. When the sufferer of tzara’at
first flew away.
is finally free of the disease, he is
Ultimately, the Torah is teaching us
instructed to bring two birds as part
of the importance of guarding against
of a ritual: One bird is to be slaugh-
a recurrence of this spiritual illness. If
tered; the other is set free.
we do this properly, perhaps the bird
The Torah doesn’t explain the
that is released can then become a
meaning behind this ritual, but a
positive symbol of our own freedom
lesser-known midrashic work called
to avoid past pitfalls. •
Midrash Tadshe tries to uncover the
Steven Rubenstein is rabbi at Congregation
meaning in these details. I’d like to
Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield.
thank Professor Alan Cooper of the
Jewish Theological Seminary from
whom I recently learned this inter-
CONVERSATIONS
pretation.
Why do you think Jewish tradition
The Midrash Tadshe claims that,
sees slander and gossip as such
“God provided the birds as a sign for
severe problems? The priest
those who bring them: Observe how
functions in a healing role in the
one bird is slaughtered and buried
Torah. While doctors play a critical
in the earth; just as it is impossible
role in healing in our society today,
for this bird to move from its place,
can you think of three other people
so is it impossible for the tzara’at to
in your life who play a healing role
recur. Lest you say that the condi-
— whether professionally or not?
tion has gone away never to return

Jennifer Teege

Internationally acclaimed author of

My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me:

A Black Woman Discovers Her Family’s Nazi Past

Speaker sponsored by the Reva Stocker Lecture Series.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2017

CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK
7 P.M. PROGRAM

Event $18 | Students $5
For registration and sponsorship information, go to
jfsannualevent.org or call 248.592.2339

Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

jn

April 27 • 2017

49