Shalom Chaverim,
This week’s double Torah portion, Tazria-Metzorah is about how we can purify that which has become corrupt. No, it is not talking about governments – corruption in government must be avoided in the first place. But there are naturally occurring things from which we feel we need to cleanse ourselves. Times when we want a new start, to somehow wash our own souls. And there are things – such as childbirth – that we can only guess as to why the Torah insists we need certain purification rituals.
Tazria addresses the purification rituals for mothers following childbirth. Moses and Aaron are also instructed about the procedures for identifying and responding to those infected with leprosy. Metzora describes the purification ritual for people (and homes!) afflicted with skin diseases. Finally, there are instructions in regard to the emission of bodily fluids….This is not one of the most appetizing portions to discuss in intricate detail over Shabbat dinner!
In the context of – necessarily – dealing with so much of the unsightly side of life, we are reminded also to focus on all the positive and more pleasant things in life. For example, childbirth is indescribably painful…one explanation as to why a woman is considered ‘impure’ by virtue of giving birth is that a woman will – naturally – curse God through the pain of childbirth, or swear never to have another child…but everyone agrees that the usual result of childbirth is wonderfully positive: the child! The Torah reminds us this week that on the 8th day we celebrate the Brit Mila circumcision ceremony.
There are songs on the theme of babies and the pure souls they are, about all the good they represent and hope they give. This song, though, captures the hope along with the kind of context our Torah portions confront us with this week. Often bittersweet, life is a complicated business…
Listen here to David D’Or, Tishmor al HaOlam Yeled – Child, Watch Over the World
Watch over the world child –
there are things forbidden to see
Watch over the world child,
if you see, you’ll cease to be.
Hero of the world, child,
with the smile of angels:
Guard/preserve/watch over the world child,
Because we are succeeding no longer…
Watch over the world child,
don’t exaggerate your thinking;
for the more you know, child,
you’ll only understand less.
And at a certain hour
all the doors will shut
and all the love will finish
but you will continue to Wonder…
SHABBAT SHALOM!
Rabbi Michael Schwartz