Parshas Tazriah-Metzorah 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Apr 17
- 2 min read
והובא אל אהרן הכהן או אל אחד מבניו הכהנים ... (יג-ב)
Rashi quotes a Chazal: It is a גזירת הכתוב that all matters related to tzara’as must be brought to the Kohen. The Sifsei Chachamim explains that even if the Kohen himself is unlearned and others tell him that the affected individual is טמא, the verdict must still be proclaimed by the Kohen. In פרשת מצורע on the posuk "כנגע נראה לי", Rashi states that even if the מצורע himself is a תלמיד חכם and understands the halachos and applicable dinim, he cannot declare himself טמא but must wait for the Kohen’s pronouncement. The question is why? Why can’t a person who is not a Kohen do the proclamation? What is the possible message being conveyed by this?
There are two common themes running through the many reasons given for tzara’as. A lack of sensitivity exhibited towards others and a dearth of מדות טובות. One of the main steps to be taken to properly rectify these faults is the realization that you are not the only person in the world. (This is NOT what Chazal meant by "בשבילי נברא העולם".) Therefore, to show us that we must deal with others, the Torah requires the entire נגע process to go through another person (specifically Kohanim who are known to be רודפי שלום.)
Later in the parsha (יג, יב) on the posuk, "לכל מראה עיני הכהן", Rashi says that a blind Kohen is invalidated to decide the status of the מצורע. The question arises: why can’t someone with vision tell him and he’ll then be able to make the proclamation of טהור או טמא? Why is it any different than a Kohen who is an am ha’aretz?
Perhaps the machshava is to further this lesson. In life, it’s not about our perspective through a one-sided lens. We all have to see one another, and judge the other individual favorably without passing judgement.
With much siyata d’shmaya, let us work on our interpersonal relationships, especially during these days of Sefiras Haomer.