Shabbos Table

In this parsha, we see the importance of taking responsibility for our own spiritual wellbeing. Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Berlin teaches, “The Torah is like the physician who shows us the necessary caution when we are fit, and when we are sick it displays the necessary means for healing.”

Parsha Tazria-Metzora, the Torah delves into the guidelines for purity and impurity surrounding childbirth and skin ailments. The parsha also provides further detail regarding the purification process for those with skin conditions.

One lesson that can be gleaned from this parsha is the importance of recognizing and addressing our own impurities, both physical and spiritual. Just as the purification process for those with skin conditions required confrontation, we must confront and address our own impure tendencies in order to overcome them.
In everyday life, we often shy away from confronting our own negative behaviors or thought patterns. However, we must take an active role in recognizing these impurities and taking steps towards addressing them. We must purify and cleanse ourselves so that we can live a fulfilling and positive life.

Parsha Tazria-Metzora sends a message of how small acts of disregard or insensitivity towards others can hinder our livelihoods, spiritually or physically. We must therefore consistently seek to understand the meanings behind such unwarranted behavioral patterns, just as the rituals of the purification process symbolize the necessity for introspection. Additionally, contemplating pain or stress brought on by harmful actions, which may limit growth, reminds us of the importance of conducting oneself with careful attention, admiration, and pity towards our fellow beings.

This lesson can be compared to the cleaning of our home. Overtime a home can become dirty, cluttered, and uncomfortable. We notice all the dirt, the piles of disorganized laundry or the dust accumulating under the furniture. At some point, we must address these impurities in order to create a space that we can thrive in. Doing so can transform our home and purify it of all the negative elements. We must apply the same thought process to our personal and spiritual lives.

Additionally, the rabbinical teachings translate the occurrences of tzara’at as stemming from moral defects, such as gossiping or coveting. Therefore, learning from this parsha, teaches to scrutinize one’s behavior both towards others and to one’s self, in turn being mindful of how we treat others and making appropriate changes to ensure moral progress.

The lesson from Parsha Tazria-Metzora reminds us of the necessity of seeking purity, regardless of how difficult the process may be. Just like the purification process in the parsha required patience and determination, so too does our own spiritual purification require perseverance and diligence.

As we move through our everyday lives, it is easy to become distracted and detached from our spiritual wellbeing. However, this parsha reinforces the importance of confronting our impurities, whether physical or spiritual, in order to achieve true purity and realize our full potential.

As Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi states, “Just as a physical blemish is an impediment to one’s spiritual purity, so is a moral blemish within oneself.” Through acknowledging insecurities or impurities we have within ourselves, it starts us on a path towards a more wholesome life full of growth beyond measure.