METZORA “infected one”

9 APRIL 2011

Leviticus 14:1-15:33

II Kings 7:3-20

Rom.6:9-23

Last week’s Parasha described the signs of the Metzora (leper), a person afflicted by a spiritual malady which places him or her in a state of ritual impurity. This week’s Torah Portion begins by detailing how the recovered Metzora is purified by the Kohen (priest) with a special procedure involving two birds, spring water in an earthen vessel, a piece of cedar wood, a scarlet thread and a bundle of hyssop. A home can also be afflicted with “leprosy” by the appearance of reddish or greenish patches on its walls. In a process lasting as long as nineteen days, a Kohen determines if the house can be purified or it must be demolished.

Lev 14:2-3 states that this shall be the law of the leper on the day when he is to be pronounced clean: he shall be brought to the priest at a meeting place outside the camp. The priest shall go out of the camp to meet him…

When a person is declared to be contaminated with leprosy, they are sent outside the camp. In order for the priest to perform a cleansing of a leper, he must go outside of the camp to meet him. Yeshua did the same for us. He met us where we were, cleansed us from our sins and set us free.

The coming Passover Holiday is unique because most Jewish households observe it in some form or another. Either they have a full seder, a family dinner or get-together, some kind of discussion, or other remembrance of the season.

Part of the Passover Haggadah includes the story of the “Four Sons”. This is a description of four types of people. First, the wise son. Just as in Deuteronomy 6:20, he asks, “What is the meaning of the testimonies and statutes and judgments which the Lord, our GOD, has commanded you?” We are to expound the answer to him to the very last law and smallest detail.

Next, the wicked son. He says, with an attitude, “What is this service to you?” (Exodus 12:26) He completely excludes himself from anything to do with the service, his family, the community at large, or the holiday itself. Because he excludes himself, our answer is explained as what the Lord did for me, and not for him (Exodus 13:8). If he had actually been with us, he would have been among the un-redeemed.

Then there is the simple son; he is foolish and silly. He asks, “What is this?” According to Exodus 13:14, the proper answer is to explain that by the strength of the hand of the Lord, GOD brought us out of the Land of Egypt, out of the House of Bondage.

Finally we have the son who does not even know what to ask. For him, you yourself must begin explaining from the beginning by saying that because of what the Lord did for me when I came from Egypt… (Exodus 13:8).

Not only does this parable represent the four types of children, but also the types of people in the world. Each represents the different types of attitudes people have towards GOD and His traditions.

In the scriptures we are told to raise up a child in the fear and admonition of the Lord. This is a basic principle found in Judaism to provide our children with the foundation to stay within their faith and heritage. Part of teaching is being an example, as well as speaking about what should be done. We know that GOD taught His people, through Moses, in a unique way. Through the scriptures, He gave us wonderful Feasts and Festivals to remind us of who He is, what He did for us, and what He will do for us in the future.

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z

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