This Shabbat we read two combined Torah portions, Tazria-Metzora. These parashot deal at length with a unique phenomenon described in the Torah – tzara’at, which are marks or changes that appear on the walls of a house, on clothing, or on the body.
The tzara’at described in the Torah is not identical to the medical disease known by that name (leprosy) today. While the medical condition is caused by bacteria, the halachic tzara’at is understood by most commentators as a phenomenon with spiritual meaning. It is not merely a physical issue but an external expression of an internal, moral flaw.
Our sages primarily associated this phenomenon with the sin of leshon hara – speaking negatively about others. As stated in the Talmud, tractate Arachin (15b): “Reish Lakish said: ‘What is the meaning of that which is written (Lev. 14:2), ‘This shall be the law of the metzora’? This shall be the law of one who spreads a bad name.’”
Maimonides summarizes the concept of tzara’at as follows: “The changes described in garments and houses, which the Torah calls tzara’at, are not part of the natural order of the world, but, rather, a sign and a wonder among Israel, intended to warn them against leshon hara. For one who speaks leshon hara, the walls of his house change. If he repents, the house is purified; if he persists in his wickedness until the house is demolished, then the leather items in his house are affected.... If he repents, they are purified; if he persists until they are burned, then his garments are affected.... If he repents, they are purified; if he persists until they are burned, then his skin is affected and he becomes a metzora, set apart and publicly marked, so that he will not engage in the company of the wicked, which is characterized by mockery and leshon hara” (Laws of Impurity of Tzara’at 16:10).
The Torah details extensively the various types of afflictions and how they are treated, yet one particularly surprising principle emerges: Not every person is authorized to determine whether the affliction is pure or impure. That authority is given exclusively to one individual – the kohen. Even if a knowledgeable person can accurately diagnose the condition, his assessment has no practical validity. Only when the kohen declares “pure” or “impure” is the person’s status determined. Even if it is clear that the affliction has disappeared, the person cannot return to normal life until the kohen declares him pure.
Generally, Jewish law allows a person to rule for himself in situations where he clearly knows the law. Only in cases of doubt or complexity must one turn to a halachic authority. Against this background, the question becomes more pronounced: Why, specifically in the laws of tzara’at, does the Torah establish a different rule? Why is the determination dependent specifically on the kohen?
This question leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of these afflictions and the unique role of the kohen in the process of repair.
The kohen as a guide between body and soul
Our sages teach a fundamental principle about human psychology: “A person does not commit a transgression unless a spirit of folly enters him” (Sotah 3a). When a person acts negatively, it means that the material side – impulses and desires – has overpowered his spiritual side. Conversely, when a person corrects his ways, he restores balance: intellect and soul once again guide his choices.
The kohen represents precisely this balance. His role requires a high level of purity, restraint, and constant mastery of the spiritual over the physical. He must focus on sacred service, detach himself from the mundane, and avoid improper thoughts that invalidate offerings. Therefore, he is uniquely suited to identify situations where there is an imbalance between body and soul, and to guide the process of correction.
When a person comes to the kohen and says, “It seems to me that there is an affliction in my house” (Leviticus 14:35), he is not merely seeking a diagnosis but a path to repair. The kohen, through his spiritual experience, can guide the person in transforming a spiritual crisis into an opportunity for growth.
This idea extends more broadly: Physicality tends to expand at the expense of others, while spirituality can grow without diminishing anyone. When a person allows the physical facet to dominate, the nega (affliction) spreads and consumes everything. When the spiritual facet leads, an inner oneg (delight) is revealed, unlimited and even capable of benefiting others.
Halting the spread of the affliction cannot be achieved solely through external treatment; it requires inner transformation. Here, the kohen’s unique perspective becomes essential – the ability to identify the spiritual root of the problem and guide one toward genuine repair. When that repair occurs, not only does the affliction disappear, but in its place a deep and authentic sense of joy spreads within the person.
This is a message for life itself. There is a well-known saying: “When life gives you lemons – make lemonade.” In a person’s inner world as well, moments of failure or difficulty are not the end of the road but an opportunity. When a person knows how to pause, reflect, and correct, he can transform challenge into opportunity for growth. And then he discovers something profound: Often, what appears to be an affliction – a deficiency – is itself the source of the greatest joy.
The writer is rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites.