Parsha: Not again

Parsha Tazria-Metzorah

by Rabbi Avi Billet

Issue of April 16, 2010/ 2 Iyur, 5770

This second week after Pesach always carries with it a cycle of emotions. Between the return to post-Pesach reality and the thought that the kids have “only” two months of school until summer, we note the continued passage of time. We are hit with Yom HaShoah, which comes with the realization that as grateful as we are for all the survivors who are still with us, their numbers dwindle with every passing year. And then, this weekend is the preview to the celebrations surrounding the independence of the State of Israel and Yom Ha’atzmaut.

It’s real life; it’s thoughts of future plans, reflection on past tragedies and great moments, with concern for where we are headed, all rolled into one brief time span.

In the echoes of the “never agains,” one merely needs to read a few headlines to see how bad things are in Europe. No, it won’t likely lead to another Holocaust, but what will be the end of the story?

We can be so proud of our people and our resolve, and the wonderful army we have in Israel. But what can we make of how even the United States - which has always supported Israel - is treating Israel and its citizens like pariahs and piranhas?

Perhaps there is an allusion to these questions in our parsha.

In discussing some of the laws of tzara’at, the Torah says (14:34), “When you come to the land of Canaan, which I am giving to you as an inheritance, I will place the mark of tzara’at in houses in the land you inherit.”

On a simple level, this verse seems to imply that houses will become afflicted with the spiritual disease merely upon the arrival of the people. More likely, the verse refers to the idea that once everyone is settled, there will come a time when individuals will notice this strange affliction on the home.

We ought to recall that the Talmud lists a number of causes for the affliction of tzara’at, including l’shon hara (gossip), murder, immorality, illicit oaths, arrogance, theft and stinginess (Erakhin 16a).

Regardless of the cause or effect, and what the outcome will be, before anything is declared by the kohen, before any decisions are rendered, the individual must go home and take action. He must remove everything from the home, lest the items become “tameh” along with the house in the event the house is indeed declared contaminated.

And so, I feel, it is with us. Except that the outside world is playing the role of the kohen, and they have it backwards.

The kohen is supposed to examine, reexamine, and bend over backwards to try his best not to declare the item in question tzara’at.

Please do not misunderstand. The blotch is a divine warning to the person. G-d is saying, “I have my eye on you.” And hopefully the person catches the hint and repairs his ways before he must suffer the degradation and humiliation of real tzara’at.

But the nations of the world that hold Israel to ridiculous standards (only because Israel will actually pay attention, for example, to the president of the United States), typically pass judgment before looking at the reality or the facts on the ground. Boycotts and violent crimes only stem from ignorance - though anti-Semites will claim their victims are guilty of the tzara’at-inducing crimes enumerated by the Talmud.

And it is not too far-fetched to say these things are happening because, “you have come to the land of Canaan,” and “have the audacity to presume you are there to stay forever.”

So what is our task?

I believe it is twofold.

Firstly, the Jewish people must live virtuous lives, because that is what G-d commands of us. A virtuous life could never yield even a warning blotch on a wall, let alone a genuine tzara’at affliction. If we all lived virtuous lives, how could any statements made against us be viewed as anything but pure, unadulterated gossip and slander?

Secondly, the kohen advised to take action, to avoid all of one’s belongings possibly becoming tameh. It is our job to take whatever steps we can to minimize the impact of the tzara’at. Whether this means to call our congressmen or representatives, or to flood the White House with letters and emails, this is a start.

But when we celebrate Israel’s 62nd year and watch the survivors age or disappear, we are the only ones who can assure that, in our lifetime, we continue to say “never again.”