This week we read the double portions of Tazria & Metzora in the Chumash / Book of Leviticus / Vayikra.
In the previous portion the Torah discusses the laws of ritual defilement imparted by dead animals. In this section, the Torah proceeds to the laws of defilement associated with human beings.
In the second portion Metzora, the Torah discusses the laws associated with someone who is inflicted with Tzara ‘at (Metzora in Hebrew) must undergo in order to be allowed into the Tabernacle again.
One must understand that this affliction is Biblical leprosy not like any skin ailment that one finds today.
Nonetheless, the Hebrew word for Tzara ‘at (Metzora) can be seen as a contraction of the Hebrew phrase for “slanderer” (motzi Shem ra), which literally means “ someone who gives (someone else) a bad name”
This portion therefore highlights for us the need to take extra precaution when engaging with slander against another human being which we are taught affects three people. The slanderer, the one of whom they are speaking and those that listen.
A tall order for us all indeed!
Wishing you and yours a meaningful Shabbat and successful week to follow. With our continued prayers for an everlasting peace in Israel with our much needed Moshiach.