April 16th: Tazria, Metzora, and Yom Ha’atzma’ut
THIS WEEK IN THE TORAH
Rabbi David E. Ostrich
This is perhaps the yuckiest Torah portion, the one that deals with hideous skin conditions on our bodies and mildew infestations in our homes. As one can imagine, the fear surrounding such afflictions made those suffering from them pariahs. Indeed, part of the priestly procedure was to determine whether the problem was infectious or not. Upon that determination entire families’ fates hung. Could the afflicted hope for healing? Could the afflicted re-enter the family and community? While films such as Ben Hur dramatize the plight of lepers in ancient times, leper colonies persisted until modern times. There were two in the United States, one in Molokai, Hawaii and another in Carville, Louisiana. The Louisiana colony did not close until 1999, and, though no longer legally quarantined, the Hawaii colony still has some residents.
The Torah portion’s therapeutic procedures—both medical and spiritual—represent pathways to return from a kind of living death to full participation in life. Is this not an image which resonates today? Whether recovering from cancer or some other serious disease, the healing process represents a kind of T’chiyat Metim, a “Resurrection of the Dead.” Thus is there a lively conversation when questions arise about the second paragraph of the Amidah—the prayer that praises God Who M’chayeh Hametim/Re-enlivens the dead. While most read the prayer as praying for the Messianic resurrection of the dead, some read the phrase metaphorically as praise to God for the healing power that can bring us back to life—physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually.
Another kind of healing power is celebrated this week: Saturday is Yom Ha’atzma’ut, Israel Independence Day. Think for a moment about the dramatic ups and down of the last few centuries of Jewish life. In Isaiah’s words: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. On those who dwelt in a land of gloom has brightness dawned.” (Isaiah 9.1-2) Or, as Ezekiel describes it, God can take a valley full of dry bones and bring them back to life! God said to Ezekiel, “O mortal, these bones are the whole House of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone; we are doomed.’ Prophesy, therefore, and say to them: ‘Thus said the Lord God: I am going to open your graves and lift you out of the graves, O My people, and bring you to the land of Israel. You shall know, My people, that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and lifted you out of your graves. I will put My breath into you, and you shall live again, and I will set you upon your own soil.’” (37.11-14)
Though we generally focus on the practicalities of current day Zionism—its politics, its relationship with the many Arab polities, and its internal religious dynamics, sometimes it is good to step back and reflect on the miraculous rebirth of the Jewish people. “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
In so many ways, the spiritual energy that fills the world can bring healing. Our Tradition speaks of this healing as both miraculous and practical. God provides the possibilities, and we do our part, channeling divine energy into Tikkun Olam, the Healing of both the Divine and the World. Thus did Ezekiel prophesy: “Oh dry bones, hear the word of the Lord…Who will cause breath to enter you so you may live again!” (37.4-5)