Torah Tidbit

Parshahs Tazria (conceives, as in a baby) & Metzora (person carrying skin affliction) – Leviticus 12:1 – 15:33
Much of these two parshahs regards the tzaaras affliction – nasty blemishes or sores that appear on one’s skin, clothing or walls of the house.  Many English versions translate tzaaras as “leprosy”, however close reading of the text reveals some oddities not consistent with the behavior and treatment of a disease – regardless of the “social distancing”:- A priest, not a doctor, determines whether the blemish counts as tzaaras- The priest examines only normally exposed parts of the body (hands, feet, face, neck, etc.) – any other locations don’t count.- Examinations to determine clean/unclean can only be done during daylight hours.  – Tzaaras do not apply to non-jews.- Tzaaaras can be declared clean while it is still present on the body.- If tzaaras appears on a house wall, the owners are given ample opportunity to remove all contents before the house is declared unclean.

Walking the Walk

Recently we’ve talked about how illness is placed upon us as a motivator for self-examination and repentance.  The tazaaras blemishes are a special category, brought upon someone due to their speaking bad of other people.  Although this “illness” applies only to the Jews, it’s lessons are universal and immediately applicable for all mankind.  Don’t gossip.  Don’t take down others to make yourself look better.  
But as we’ve also learned, where a negative directive is stated, there’s positive ones to provide balance.  What might those be in this case?