Tazria-Metzora
She will conceive/Leper — תַזְרִיעַ־מְּצֹרָע
Torah Portion: Leviticus 12:1 - 15:33
Leviticus 13:24-39
13:24 “Or when the body has a burn from fire on its skin, and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white, or white, 25 then the priest shall examine it; and behold, if the hair in the bright spot has turned white, and its appearance is deeper than the skin, it is leprosy. It has broken out in the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. 26 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there is no white hair in the bright spot, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days. 27 The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. 28 If the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn’t spread in the skin, but is faded, it is the swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar from the burn.
29 “When a man or woman has a plague on the head or on the beard, 30 then the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an itch. It is leprosy of the head or of the beard. 31 If the priest examines the plague of itching, and behold, its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall isolate the person infected with itching seven days. 32 On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the appearance of the itch isn’t deeper than the skin, 33 then he shall be shaved, but he shall not shave the itch. Then the priest shall isolate the one who has the itch for seven more days. 34 On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. He shall wash his clothes and be clean. 35 But if the itch spreads in the skin after his cleansing, 36 then the priest shall examine him; and behold, if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest shall not look for the yellow hair; he is unclean. 37 But if in his eyes the itch is arrested and black hair has grown in it, then the itch is healed. He is clean. The priest shall pronounce him clean.
38 “When a man or a woman has bright spots in the skin of the body, even white bright spots, 39 then the priest shall examine them. Behold, if the bright spots on the skin of their body are a dull white, it is a harmless rash. It has broken out in the skin. He is clean.
Today’s Meditation:
This week’s Torah portions primarily focus on leprosy and various diseases, as well as how to manage and care for them. And how to involve the priests at the Temple. They did not have doctors in those days, and Hashem had to explain to them how to take care of themselves—and, importantly, how to prevent others from contracting their disease or infectious condition. If you look at the history books, there are many times when there were plagues that killed thousands of people. Yet, the Jewish communities would have a relatively low death rate. Of course, this made others suspicious of them. In reality, they were following Hashem’s laws regarding disease/infections. That is why it is so important to be obedient and study His Laws. And follow them. They give life and save lives.
Today’s Challenge:
We don't have a priest to turn to when we get sick. But we do have Hashem to go to and His Torah. If we study and follow Torah to the best of our abilities, we will be healthier and happier people. My challenge to you today is to read the Torah daily. Pray and ask Hashem how it applies to your life.
