Community Rabbi Corner, April 24, 2020
Rabbi Simeon Cohen
Temple Beth Shalom
Livingston, NJ
Parashat Tazria-Metzora
Temple Beth Shalom
Livingston, NJ
Parashat Tazria-Metzora
One of the most common refrains we hear these days is that we are living through “unprecedented times.” While it is certainly true that we have not experienced anything akin to this current pandemic in over a century, it is also true that humanity is no stranger to outbreaks of infectious disease. The Spanish Flu in 1918. The Great Plague of London in 1665. The Black Death in the 1340s and 50s. And of course, tzaarat, the infectious skin disease that we read about in this week’s double parsha, Tazria-Metzora.
Just as with our current pandemic, one who was diagnosed with tzaarat (called a tzarua) was sent chutz l’machane—outside the camp—into a period of forced quarantine. As we read in Leviticus 13, “As for the person with a leprous affection, his clothes shall be rent, his head shall be left bare, he shall cover over his upper lip and he shall call out, 'Impure! Impure!' He shall be impure as long as the disease is on him. Being impure, he shall dwell apart; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13:45-46)
Just as we are doing now, those afflicted with tzaarat were obligated to cover their faces, dwell apart from their community, and inform their family, friends, and neighbors that they had contracted a highly contagious, communicable disease. As Ecclesiastes teaches, there truly is nothing new under the sun.
Just as we are doing now, those afflicted with tzaarat were obligated to cover their faces, dwell apart from their community, and inform their family, friends, and neighbors that they had contracted a highly contagious, communicable disease. As Ecclesiastes teaches, there truly is nothing new under the sun.
The Talmud records a profoundly significant debate about why the tzarua was obligated to announce his state of impurity. One opinion argues that the announcement was simply to warn others to avoid contact, so that they would not contract the disease themselves. But another opinion says that the announcement was not a warning, but rather, a cry for help. The tzarua must “inform the public of his distress so that they can pray for mercy on his behalf.” (Babylonian Talmud, Moed Katan 5a)
At this incredibly challenging time, when so many people are suffering either physically or spiritually, let us embrace the words of our sages. If someone confides in you that they are struggling with loneliness, anxiety, or even the virus itself, do not understand their words as a warning to stay away; rather, understand them as a cry for help. Although we must remain physically distant, we have an obligation to do everything in our power to not avoid contact. In fact, we have an obligation to treat those who are suffering with compassion. Reach out to those who need support. Do what you can to help those in need. Pray for mercy on behalf of those who are suffering.
As Tazria-Metzora reminds us, we are not the first human beings to be challenged by disease, nor are we the first Jews to confront solitude. Just as our ancestors overcame tzaarat, so too will we overcome this modern-day plague. But doing so will be much easier if we confront our monumental challenges as a unified, supportive, and compassionate community. We should never be a community who avoids the afflicted. Rather, we should only be a community who fully and wholeheartedly embraces the afflicted. Shabbat shalom.
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