From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat, April 12, 2024/4 Nisan 5784
This Sabbath the Torah continues with the rituals of purification for women after childbirth. Also, methods for diagnosing and treating a variety of skin diseases.
In ancient times the priests served not only for religious functions, but for their work as a kind of medical diagnosticians. They diagnosed and offered treatment for various skin diseases. Laws of leprosy, which was one of the dreaded diseases in ancient times. The people that contracted leprosy were called lepers. The lepers were outcasts of society because of their physical impurity and they could not enter the sanctuary to carry out their duties. After the leper was completely healed, the person had to be formally rededicated as an Israelite to the service of G-d. The rabbis believed leprosy as a divine affliction in punishment for slander or falsehoods. The Talmud deemed the slander a hideous capital crime. The slanderer was believed to be one who denies G-d. G-d says of the slanderer:” He and I cannot live together in the world”
(Talmud Arachin 15b).
The people who encourage slander are also guilty. Hence, G-d gave us two ears to hear and one mouth to speak. However, like gossip once heard, the words from the mouth spread.
A story from the town of Chelm: A man goes to his rabbi and says he slandered someone, and he wanted to know how to make amends. The rabbi asks the man if he had a feathered pillow. The man replied, yes. The rabbi told him that the next windy day go with your feathered pillow to the top of the mountain. When you are at the top of the mountain, open up the pillow and let all the feathers out. A few days later there was a windy day. So, the man took his feathered pillow and traveled to the top of the mountain to release all the feathers. The man returned to the rabbi and asked what he needed to do now. The rabbi replied: ‘Go collect all the feathers!”
Most people may be inclined to spread a rumor. You have the choice not to listen. Occasionally as a rabbi I am informed of various issues, and I listen. However, I do my research before forming my conclusion.
As for the lepers in ancient times, the Jewish people set them apart from the tribes. The Jewish people fed them and cared for them. While other groups of people would have their lepers removed, or killed. If lepers traveled near a town, they were chased away!
Each Shabbat the Torah portion is relevant even to the modern era. During the Middle Ages there was the Black Plague in the Middle Ages. Just recently the Covid epidemic that encompassed the world. Each country or an area like our states chose different ways to address the virus and the individuals. Yet, in each area the people that became ill were treated. However, the people that did not get the “shot” because of their health issues or religious reasons were separated from society.
Some individuals probably felt like the lepers felt in not being accepted in various areas of society. Yet, the medical teams and scientists worked to cure all people. The clergy offered prayers and assistance in various ways (not medical nor diagnostic like the priests in ancient times).
Each Shabbat the Torah portion contains concepts and values for the Jewish people to glean insightful spiritual meanings and live moral and ethical lives.
This Shabbat we will have a special visitor from Israel and from the UJFU, and I look forward to meeting with them. The Sabbath service is in person and on Zoom, and I pray you will be able to attend.
Shabbat Shalom v’ Am Ysrael Chai (The hostages are captive by Hamas for more than 6 months, Baruch HaShem, may G-d bring them freedom speedily.)
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
