Rabbi's Corner

This week’s Torah reading consists of the double parshiyot of Tazria and Metzorah.  In Parashat Tazria we find the following: “He who is afflicted with tzara’at shall be brought before a Kohen.” (VaYikra 13:9) Our tradition teaches us that the metzorah (the one who suffers from tzara’at) has this condition because he has committed the sin of lashon hara (evil tongue), engaging in slander and gossip.  Tzara’at (incorrectly translated as “leprosy”) creates a horrific blemish on a person’s soul in the same way it manifests itself on a person’s body.  Our Torah tells us that only a Kohen can determine if a person is actually suffering from tzara’at.  It is this connection with a Kohen, whether the metzorah wants it or not, that can bring about the healing of both the body and the soul.  Our Sages teach us that every mention of a Kohen in the Torah alludes to the true tzaddik of each generation.  Rabbi Natan of Breslov says that when one accepts the advice and instruction of a tzaddik, a person’s heart and eyes are opened both to the truth and the merits of doing t’shuva which can bring about the healing that is so desired.  Perhaps the following Chasidic parable will illustrate his teaching:

 Mendel the “milchiker” (dairyman) barely scraped together a livelihood from his three cows, two of which were well on their way to the endless green pastures of “cow heaven.”  He worked from way before dawn until well after dusk milking the cows, churning the butter, delivering the milk, taking the cows out to pasture, and bringing them back to the barn at night.  Mendel barely had enough to feed and clothe his wife and three daughters.  He had no idea where he would get the wherewithal to put together a decent dowry for his eldest daughter, who had now reached the age of marriage, let alone the other two sisters who were to follow her.  He calculated that he would need at least five hundred crowns (an exorbitant sum!) for each girl.

One evening after dark, a fierce pounding on the front door startled Mendel.  After he opened the door to see who it was, he found three mean-looking policemen standing there.  He was issued a royal warrant to appear in a Bucharest courtroom in seven days.  A large lump formed in his throat.  “W-what did I do w-wrong?” stammered the hapless milchiker.  The police sergeant growled, “Don’t ask questions!  Just show up on time!”  Mendel spent the next seven days praying and fasting as if Yom Kippur was just around the corner.  His heart pounded harder as each day passed.  He had no idea what was in store for him in Bucharest.

On the appointed day, he arrived in court as instructed.  The Judge addressed him: “Mendel Mashevitz from Anatolia, son of Chatzkel, step forward!”  Mendel could barely stand on his wobbly knees.  He winced and held his breath as he prepared for the worst.  The Judge continued: “Your great uncle Moses Mashevitz has died.  You are the next of kin.  The State awards you the inheritance of two thousand crowns of which 500 shall be paid in inheritance tax.  You are thereby granted fifteen hundred crowns.  Case closed!”

Poverty-stricken Mendel the milchiker would never have gone to Bucharest on his own, as he was expecting the worst.  However, the seemingly bad summons proved to be the blessing of his life.  In these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, far too many of Am Yisrael (the People Israel) have been suffering, both those who have suffered from the disease itself and those who have suffered from its lasting effects on their hearts and souls.  While there is absolutely no correlation between COVID-19 and tzara’at, there may still be the need to seek out a “tzaddik” (i.e.- Rabbi) who can provide wise and compassionate counseling and guidance that could hopefully help those who suffer to begin the journey toward the healing of body and soul.  Our Tradition is an endless source of love and healing for those who suffer.  We only have to seek out those who know how to “tap into” this source to begin the healing process.