Weekly D'Var Torah

D’var Torah – Tazria- Metzora

by Hayley Haimovitz, Bat Mitzvah

My Torah portion is called Tazria-Metzora and comes from the book of Leviticus. This is one of the seven special portions that are sometimes combined. To make sure that our calendar lines up with the seasons, we add an extra month seven times over nineteen years. During the years without an extra month we must combine some of the Torah portions to ensure that the entire Torah is read throughout the year. Tazria-Metzora is one of these double portions. The portion of Tazria discusses the rituals for purification after a woman gives birth; it also talks about skin diseases and how to ritually cure them. The portion of Metzora continues the discussion of skin diseases and explains how sometimes the disease can spread to infect clothing and even houses.

Jewish tradition understands the skin affliction of tza’arat in many ways; however, most interpreters believe this skin disease was a sign to the people of Israel to warn them against la-shon ha-ra (evil speech). When someone engaged in gossip or hurtful speech they were stricken with this scaley skin disease. To cure the disease they were sent outside the camp and had to remain in isolation for at least 7 days. After 7 days they were checked by the priest and were then allowed to re-enter the camp and had to bring a sin offering to be completely purified.  I think it is interesting to notice that there was no way to heal this affliction with medicine, but it could only be healed from the heart. In this way, you had to heal it from the inside out.

I think being sent outside the camp helped heal this disease because the individuals were forced to be alone and therefore couldn’t engage in gossip. Perhaps, not being able to speak with anyone taught them the power of speech and how important it is to be part of a community.

I agree with the Rabbis in their emphasis on the serious sin of engaging in lashon hara or evil speech. Words can hurt most of all. If someone hurts their body it will heal, but if someone is hurt by words, it can never be healed and may always stay with them. Talking about others behind their back can be mean and hurtful. I think that is why this disease was able to spread to people’s clothing and even to their homes because it showed how destructive gossip can be and how it impacts all aspects of community life.

Unfortunately, I think lashon ha-ra (evil speech) is common in our society today. People who are different are often picked on and talked about.  If someone dresses different or has a unique way of expressing themselves they are often targeted in today’s world and made fun of. Especially, with social media, talking about people and saying unkind things about them is so easy to do; anyone can comment on a posted video; and, the comments can often be mean, hurtful, and untrue, and then those comments can spread like wildfire.

I think this portion of Tazria-Metzora is teaching us to be more accepting and tolerant as a society and to celebrate difference. I think it is also teaching us to mind our own business, to not be critical and judgmental of others and instead to focus on ourselves and our own growth. 

This process of becoming a Bat Mitzvah was a lot of hard work but fun at the same time; I feel proud of everything I learned and accomplished. I most enjoyed doing my mitzvah project where I volunteered with the Jewish Relief Agency also known as JRA. Today, JRA serves over 6,000 diverse, low-income individuals across Greater Philadelphia by relieving hunger, improving lives, and strengthening community. Through a monthly Food Distribution Program, JRA delivers kosher, nutritious food assistance and essential home supplies to thousands of low-income households each month. I really enjoyed packing and delivering boxes for JRA. The people were always so grateful for the food which really put things into perspective. This experience helped me appreciate everything I have. I felt really good doing this mitzvah project because the people were so happy. I am thankful that I could play a part in their happiness by helping to supply them with food and supplies they desperately needed. 

Now that I am a Bat Mitzvah I am excited to be counted as a Jewish adult. I am also really looking forward to celebrating with my friends and family especially because today is my Dad’s birthday. Happy Birthday Dad, I love that we get to share this special day together!

Shabbat Shalom!