When Moshe Rabbeinu first approached his enslaved brothers and sisters, they ignored him. Rashi notes their breathing was stressfully shallow and short. A person of faith sidesteps anxiety and stress to move forward in life, as did the Jewish people who regained belief after the ten plagues.
A seed needs soil for it to grow. It also needs the gardener to till the soil. The human seed needs the mother’s womb for nurture. The future child’s growth depends on G-d’s blessing. The 3 life elements to life are: G-d, person and seed.
We noted last week a skin condition of former times called Tzara’at. This week we learn that the sufferer, known as the Metzorah (the name of this week’s Parsha), had to be quarantined for the designated specified time of healing. Quarantine is an imposed removal from society for the protection of others. But there are…
Giving birth is the most G-d-like phenomenon that humans display. Yet all aspects of creation are birthed, mature, age, and decompose – only to experience renewal again – the cycle of life. The human has however been assigned the honorable role of tending the garden of Creation and we must be fully responsible ensuring the…
For certain infractions and infectious diseases, people were quarantined outside the camp. Sometimes it is important to self-impose a quarantine – called a personal retreat. The idea of Cheshbon Nefesh (soul-searching) is well practiced in the Hassidic tradition – nightly, weekly monthly, annually. But only an honest assessment can yield positive results and personal growth
Metzora is an ancient illness and its relationship to Lashon Hara — speaking ill of another. When bad things (illness) happen to good people it challenges our faith. Hassidic teachings inform that adversity and challenge are drawn from a much higher good. It allows us to rise to our highest potential Next time you experience…
