The Sedra Metzora 5783

In this week’s Torah portion, we encounter a challenge that many of us face when our modern values collide with the ancient laws of the Torah. Whether it is capital punishment, social rights, or medical ethics, it is often difficult to reconcile our contemporary perspectives with the Divine word. In Parshat Metzora, we discuss Tzaraas, a metaphysical ailment that manifested physically as a result of sin, particularly Lashon Hara. While this disease no longer occurs in our state of exile, the Torah describes how it would first appear on the walls of a home. Rashi shares a fascinating Midrash: when the Jews pulled down these afflicted walls, they discovered treasures hidden by the Amorites. We must grapple with the difficult realities of the conquest of Canaan and understand the deeper logic behind these commandments. I invite you to join me as we explore these complex themes. Shabbat Shalom.