Tazria-Metzora:
A bar mitzvah planner's worst nightmare.
It
could be a bar mitzvah planner’s worst nightmare. The
double Torah portion Tazria-Metzora is all about skin
diseases. (See Leviticus 13 for processes set forth below).
The classic commentators teach us that “tzaraat,” usually
translated as leprosy, is a spiritual, rather than a
physical ailment. It is a Divine punishment, warning the
“metzora” (afflicted person) to mend his or her ways. Among
the causes of tzaraat are slander, bloodshed, false oaths,
pride, robbery and selfishness. The metzora is required to
be isolated from society, so that he or she has the chance
to experience the pain inflicted on others and to repent.
(Artscroll Chumash, 610).
The priest diagnoses tzaraat. The metzora goes into
quarantine. He or she dresses as a mourner to encourage
repentence. The metzora declares to his fellows,
“Contaminated. Contaminated,” so his sin will not spread to
others. (Artscroll Chumash, 617). After the priest conducts
a purification process, the tzaraat is allowed to return to
the community.
One cause of tzaraat—pride—is demonstrated in the story of
Uzziah, King of Judah, from 792 to 740 B.C.—about 200 years
after the time of King Solomon. (2 Chronicles 26, 2 Kings
15; Archeological Study Bible, Zondervan, 650). Uzziah went
on the throne at age 16 and was a great king—at first.
During this time, the northern Kingdom of Israel and the
southern King of Judah, expanded to the bounds of the great
Kingdom of David and Solomon. With more than 300,000
troops, Uzziah waged war on the Philistines. He expanded
the nation to the south and southwest. He built Eilat. He
constructed towers throughout the land. He was a patron of
agriculture. He built cisterns and planted vineyards.
Uzziah strengthen the defenses of Jerusalem. He built
towers. He built war machines which hurled arrows and
stones.
But pride and greatness went to his head. He entered the
Temple to burn incense upon the incense altar—a duty only
allowed the priests.
Azariah
the the Kohen went after him, along with 80 strong Kohanim
of HASHEM. they stood next to King Uzziah and said to him,
"It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to HASHEM, but
it is for the Kohanim, the descendents of Aaron, who are
consecrated, to burn incense. Leave the Temple, for you
have been treacherous, and this will not bring you honor
from HASHEM, God. Uzziah became enraged, and he already had
a censer in his hand for burning incense. As he was
becoming enraged with the Kohanim, a leprous growth
appeared on his forehead in the presence of the Kohanim in
the Temple of HASHEM, near the incense Altar. Azariah, the
chief Kohen, and all the other Kohanim turned to him, and
behold he was leprous on his forehead! So they rushed him
away from there; He, too, hastened to leave, for HASHEM had
afflicted him. King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his
death. He dwelt in his leprosy in a place of asylum for he
was banished from the Temple of HASHEM.
(Artscroll Tanach, 1993-1994).
Tradition teaches that Uzziah lived out his life separated
from the people. A house was constructed for him in a
cemetery, because a metzorah is like a dead person. His son
took charge of the royal house and judged the people. His
burial was also a punishment. He was buried in the fields
adjoining the royal tombs. He was buried near---but not
with his ancestors. (Artscroll Kings, 345).
The text concludes:
"For they said, He is a leper." (Artscoll Tanach, 1994).
The story of Uzziah is inconsistent with the practices set
forth in Leviticus. There is no evidence that Uzziah
repented. There was no report of a purification process. He
remained separated from the people for the rest of his
life.
Why the departure?
One possibility is that Uzziah was treated more harshly
because a person with greater responsibilities and status
should be held to a higher standard.
What does this portion teach us? Rather than shun an ill
person who is sick or “contaminated,” we should approach
and offer to help. Rather than impose isolation, we should
break through isolation.
The reverse of Tazria-Metzora is a good lesson for today.
It makes the portion less of a nightmare for the bar
mitzvah planner.
Eikev
Pinchas
P'dukei
Shoftim
Miketz
Bechukotai
Terumah
Tazriah-Metzora
Lech Lecha
Va-era
Re'eh
RH2
Vayeira
