Shabbos Parashas Tazria-Metzora - 5780

Shabbos Parashas Tazria-Metzora - 5780

Rabbi Hal Miller

This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification, he shall

be brought to the Kohen. The Kohen shall go forth to the outside of the

camp, the Kohen shall look and behold, the tzaraas affliction had been

healed from the metzora. [Vayikra 14:2-3]

In verse 2 the Torah tells us that the metzora must be brought to the Kohen,

but in verse 3, it says that the Kohen must go out to the metzora. Who is

going where? Why the contradiction?

Rashi says that the direction to the Kohen here is to go out to where the

metzora was sent when he was sent out of the triple camp layout, because

the metzora is not allowed to reenter. That explains 3, but not 2 where the

metzora is to be brought to the Kohen.

Many commentators say, in one form or another, that the two meet in some

neutral place, whether midway between them or otherwise. Ramban, for

example, puts the burden on the metzora since he can only be purified by

word of the Kohen, and even says that he should be brought to the Kohen

even against his will. That explains 2 but not 3.

Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that the combination teaches about mussar,

the ethical lessons. When someone has done wrong, such as the metzora,

and wishes to make amends, he should go to a teacher, who in those days

was a Kohen. At the same time, a teacher should not wait to be approached

but should proactively seek out the one who needs him.

Onkelos translates verse 2 as "It is brought to the Kohen", which Saadiah

Gaon explains to mean, "It is not the afflicted individual who is brought to the

Kohen, rather the matter." This gets around our problem.

Nachshoni writes that verse 2 puts the burden on the metzora. Verse 3 says

that if the metzora does not come, then the burden shifts to the Kohen to

have the metzora brought, but the Kohen himself still goes part of the way.

The nega, the tzara'as that afflicted the metzora, was brought on in part by

pride. Here, our verses show that both the metzora and the Kohen must get

past pride and step forward.