Tazria-Metzora
Reflection by Ronen Gradwohl, graduate of Or HaLev’s Tiferet Teacher Training:
What is the gift in bringing things to the surface?
"In the Torah portions of Tazria and Metzora, we learn about the affliction of tzara’at - a condition that manifests as stains on the walls of a house, on clothing, or on the skin. G-d says to Moses and Aaron, `And I will place an affliction of tzara’at` (Leviticus 14:34), and our Sages, somewhat surprisingly, read the phrase `and I will place` in a positive sense (Leviticus Rabbah 17:6). In fact, they view tzara’at as a gift that God bestows upon the People of Israel.
The Sefat Emet goes even further, teaching that the affliction is not only a gift but also a safeguard for the soul. He explains that tzara’at can be understood as a kind of Divine touch (in Hebrew, negah-affliction-can also be read as nagah-touch), one that awakens us and brings to the surface the hidden negativity within (metzora = motzi ra, `one who brings out evil`). When we become aware of what was previously concealed, we can begin a journey of repair, thereby safeguarding the soul.
Our mindfulness practice can similarly help us notice what lies beneath the surface - patterns of thought, habits, and emotions, including some we might prefer to avoid. As we practice, attention gets subtler and clearer, becoming aware of what is unfolding and perhaps uncovering something that was previously concealed. May this connection lead us on a journey of repair and growth, for both body and soul.”