From: CFRQC@CUNYVM.BITNET (Center for Return)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish
Subject: A Byte Of Torah I,XIX Metzora-HaGadol
Date: 9 Apr 92 06:10:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: CUNYVM.92100.021020CFRQC
Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center


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                                     A                                   BS"D
   Volume I                       B Y T E     The Electronic
     Issue XIX                      O F          Torah Weekly
                                 T O R A H
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                           Dvar Torah of the Week
                           ----------------------

"And it shall be on the seventh day (that) you (the Kohain) shall shave off all
his (the Metzora - the one who has Tzara'as) hair: of his head, and of his
beard, and of his eyebrows; all of his hair shall be shaven." (Leviticus 14:9)

 This verse is puzzling. The Bible first writes a general statement, "all his
hair." The Bible then qualifies which hair by saying, "of his head, and of his
beard, and of his eyebrows." What then does the Bible mean by concluding, "all
of his hair shall be shaven?" The Bible is not coming to retract its previous
position, but rather is coming to qualify it. The Kohain must not only shave
off the hair from the Metzora's head, beard and eyebrows, but he must shave off
the hair from any other place that is exposed (Rashi).
 The Bible specifically mentions these three, because they are limbs that cause
Tzara'as. The hair of the head must be shaven to atone for the desire to
elevate one's conceit above one's fellow man. The hair of the beard must be
shaven, because they are the hairs that surround the mouth which spoke evil
against one's neighbor. The eyebrows must be shaven, because they are the hairs
that surround the eye which looks down upon one's fellow man (Keli Yakar).


                             Mussar of the Week
                             ------------------

"The Kohain shall then order for the person (the Metzora) undergoing
purification there be taken two live ritually-clean birds ... and a hyssop
branch." (Leviticus 14:4)

 This verse is mystifying. Why must the Metzora employ hyssop as part of the
purification process? As seen from before, there exists a tremendous amount of
symbolism in each act performed by the Metzora and the Kohain. Thus it stands
to reason that the inclusion of the hyssop must also have symbolism attached to
it. Hyssop is a plant that grows only a few centimeters off of the
ground (Rashi). This plant represents the humility that one must have. This is
especially appropriate for the Metzora, since he was afflicted with Tzara'as
because he was arrogant (Keli Yakar). What does it mean to be humble? The
notion of humility that is commonly expressed, is a type of self-deprecation.
However, this is an erroneous view of humility. Humility is an understanding of
who you are and where you stand in relation to your fellow human being. There
is no purpose in denying a genius or talent that will be beneficial to society.
As such, this ability must be cultivated and harnessed. However, this does not
give one the right to elevate one's conceit above one's fellow man. Rather, it
places upon a person the responsibility to help other people.

Please direct any comments, questions, etc. back to me here at CFRQC@CUNYVM,
or on internet CFRQC@cunyvm.cuny.edu. In addition, I can be contacted at my
other accnt ZSIQC@CUNYVM. Please pass it on to a friend, and tell me who I
should add to my subscription list. --Zev Itzkowitz
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish