By Teresa Samtur, WLCJ Recording Secretary
“I am a stranger in this world, and there is a severe solitude and painful lonesomeness in my exile.” — Kahlil Gibran
When I began thinking about this week’s double Torah portion, Tazria-Metzora, I thought I would write about adoption, motherhood, and my adult bat mitzvah. Tazria-Metzora was the Torah portion for that Shabbat. But, oh, how life interferes!
During preparations for Passover, my daughter came down with a sore throat and went to urgent care. Two days later, she went back to urgent care as the virus had infected her left eye and ear. Three days later, Erev Pesach, she woke up, unable to see out of her eye. What scrambling we did that morning trying to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist!
In the waiting room, I tried to reassure her, but of course she was nervous and afraid of losing vision in her eye. Thankfully, after four rounds of eyedrops, the doctor began treatment for a shingles infection on the cornea and pupil. She left the office comforted, knowing her diagnosis and that the doctor was going to examine her eye every day while it healed.
In Tazria-Metzora, we read about the purification rituals for mothers following childbirth and how the Kohen (priest) is to identify tzara’at from other skin afflictions. Tzara’at is thought by the sages to be a leprosy-like skin disease brought on by slandering (lashon hara) someone in the community. A person who thought they had tzara’at went to the Kohen to be examined. If it was tzara’at, the metzora (person afflicted with tzara’at) went outside the camp and into isolation.
The initial isolation period for the metzora was seven days. But were they completely isolated? In Tazria-Metzora, the Kohen is instructed that “the priest shall go outside the camp” to the place where the metzora lived alone while afflicted with tzara’at. There, the Kohen observed the healing and mental well-being of the metzora. Eventually, after repentance by the metzora and purification rituals performed with the Kohen, healing and reintegration into the community was achieved.
My very independent daughter, unable to work, drive, read, watch television, or scroll on her phone, told me she felt isolated. She also asked me, “What did I do to get sick?” Normal reactions, I suppose. She made me think about the metzora and how they felt during their isolation outside the camp.
The metzora knew they had transgressed and knew that asking for forgiveness and repenting would bring healing. But they must have been scared and wondered what would happen when permitted to rejoin the community. In Tazria-Metzora, we learn that reintegration into the community is eased by the Kohen through a series of purification rituals. In the final ritual, the Kohen anoints the head of the metzora with oil and publicly proclaims them pure. That final anointing must have given them confidence to rejoin family and friends.
While tzara’at no longer exists, the alienation, isolation, and hurt feelings caused by lashon hara are still with us. By minding the words that come out of our mouths and by not listening to gossip, we can help prevent the pain and isolation of others. And do not forget those feeling isolated because of health issues or those in mourning. Reach out with a phone call or visit. Let them know you care—it will make them feel less isolated and part of the community again.
I just want to add that while my daughter still can’t drive, her vision improves daily. We are so thankful there is no scarring. We are also thankful for the wonderful care she’s receiving from her doctor and for the equipment and medicines available to treat the eye! Also, please remember to get your shingles vaccine!
Teresa Samtur
WLCJ Recording Secretary
tsamtur@wlcj.org
3080 Broadway, Suite K900, New York, NY 10027 | Phone: 405-870-1260 | info@wlcj.org
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