Every Tuesday I have the distinct pleasure of discussing the weekly parshah with a wonderful group of people. In the middle of a busy week, Jews with varying levels of Torah knowledge and training, come together to discover new depth in portions of the Torah we read again each year. Some participate online via the Facebook Live stream and we all come away a little bit wiser and more inspired as a result.
This week’s double parsha Tazria and Metzrah focuses primarily on a condition called Tzaraat which has received sloppy treatment in translation. Tzaraat is typically translated as Leprosy, but even a rudimentary reading of the parsha renders this translation a non-starter.
Describing vastly different conditions on human skin, wool clothing, leather couches and stone walls it is certainly not within the purview of a dermatologist and our sages unequivocally state that Tzaraat has vanished from this world after the destruction of the Holy Temple.
Maimonides explains that this phenomenon was a “miraculous” manifestation of G-d’s way to guiding a Jew to repentance. So while the word “Tzaraat” is currently used in Modern Hebrew to describe leprosy, it has nothing to do with the subject matter of this week's parsha.
Realizing this grave inaccuracy led our group to briefly discuss the importance of learning beyond translations. While one who lacks proficiency in Biblical Hebrew should never feel excluded from Torah learning - we need to remember this: If our impression of the subject matter leaves us confused, frustrated or uninspired it is because the depth and truth of the concept has been lost in translation or is inaccurately presented. Once we probe the sources and allow the Torah to speak for itself, we will always find the beauty and depth in every, word, sentence and paragraph.
This lesson can be derived from the subject of Tzaraat itself. A person, garment or home that was afflicted by this condition was subject to the severest levels of ritual impurity (another Torah subject that is enormously abused in translation - but that's for another time). And yet, when introducing the laws of Tzaraat pertinent to homes, the Torah uses language indicating that it was a divine gift the Jews should look forward to experiencing!
The Talmudists explain that the Canaanites living in the land before the Israelites arrived hid vast treasures in the walls of their homes, hoping to one day return. However, the divine gift of the Promised Land is eternal and includes everything left behind. Therefore G-d caused the mysterious Tzaraat to appear on these homes, rendering them unfit for habitation and condemned to demolition. When the owners broke down the walls they discovered the hidden treasures and were able to make use of their G-d given wealth.
This teaches us a fundamental truth of reality. Every fault can be a catalyst for perfection and tragedy will ultimately lead us to greater things. Let not our mistakes define who we are rather teach us how to be better. As long as look past the “walls” of our deficiencies and inhibitions we will discover the hidden treasures we all possess.
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