This week’s Parsha deals with leprosy (Zara’at). The Torah is talking of an illness but not the disease of leprosy known in modern times. When the Torah was translated into Greek by the 72 elders (The Septuagint) they translated “Zara’at” as lepra (the Greek word for skin diseases), and so the connection to leprosy. Biblical Leprosy is a skin ailment and we are told that when anyone has a swelling or a rash, they must be brought to Aaron the Cohen or one of his sons to examine the symptoms and decide whether this person is suffering from the disease.
It is interesting that this investigation of a seemingly health related matter is put in the hands of the Cohen. The Cohen’s function is more in the spiritual world of sacrifices and blessings, surely it would be more suitable for a medical or possibly a more worldly person. Our sages propose that the disease is a punishment for crimes against society, in particular slander (Lashon Hara), also not treating your fellow man with respect, making yourself more important and being rude. Also, the terms used here are not medical terms but the person is deemed either unclean (tamei) or clean (tahor).
The Rambam writes a full portion on the laws of Zara’at and says that even though all can probably see the marks on the skin the decision of clean or unclean is in the hands of the Cohen. There may be scholars and experts. who can analyze the skin condition and recommend however it is the Cohen has to see and pronounce clean or unclean. Even if the Cohen is a minor or simple, the scholar may recommend but the Cohen has to make the announcement and send the person off to solitary. Similarly, with the zara’at of a house the Cohen has to be brought to the location to view and inspect and make the announcement.
The Kli Yakar explains why the Cohen, as a descendent of Aaron is the right person to cleanse one afflicted with Zara’at due to their bad behaviour. Aaron had three fine attributes, speaking only good, humility and being satisfied with what he got. The sin of slander causes conflict and as it says in Pirkei Avot “Be among the disciple of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and drawing them close to the Torah.” A conceited or snobbish attitude was the opposite to Aaron and Moshe who were humble, as noted in the Talmud. The Priesthood did not receive a portion in the Land of Israel and were free from the lust for money and property.
Rav S R Hirsch discusses the topic at length and explains that the Torah is not talking of an infectious disease in the medical sense and the Cohen is in no way to be considered the community health inspector. He even quotes a report by the Royal College of Physicians which concludes that neither biblical nor modern Leprosy are contagious.
Rav S R Hirsh explains that Zara’at is a punishment for crimes against society and the person needs to be taken out of society, to give them time to reflect on their actions, but also to prevent further unpleasantness in society. R Hirsch presents garment leprosy as a more serious indication than physical leprosy. With bodily leprosy the priest puts the person in isolation and he can be cured, with the garment the cloth must be destroyed. He explains that the wearing of clothes presents a person’s character and the company he or she keeps. The plague on the clothing is a warning sign that he or she is keeping bad company.
Rav Gross our Rabbi is a Cohen and was the Chief Rabbi of the Police. At the time the minister wanted to appoint someone else and used an excuse that as a Cohen, he would not be able to perform some of the duties. Rav Gross brought two very prestigious Rabbis who were Cohanim, Rav Shar Yashuv Cohen z”l and Rav Simcha Hacohen Kook z”l to a meeting with the Minister. They persuaded the Minister that the Cohanim also had to deal with many real and difficult issues such as Zara’at and not just be kept at a holy distance apart from the people.
Shabbat Shalom with prayers for all our soldiers and all Israel.