Post by Mark on Apr 25, 2009 5:58:02 GMT -8
What a strange combination that we should read and discover as we consider the portions of 
for this week: the conception and destruction of life, presented together here as if though they flow like a single thought. The process of birth is sacred and beautiful to me. I’ve been in the presence of that moment more than a few times. It never changes. It never becomes familiar. I’ve been in the presence of one man as he breathed his last breath. I suppose, in much the same way, I couldn’t imagine it ever being casual or mundane.
There is more time, more paper, invested by our Lord in the upon the subject of leprosy than any other single subject. It would seem that our mortality, and our being confronted with it, is instrumental in the cohesive message Adonai is compelled to send us. It’s important that we be reminded, that we be faced with how we come into this world and immediately turn to understand what it means for us to leave it.
Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
(James 4:13-14 KJV)
It’s important to take stock and look into ourselves, peering through the looking-glass of God’s Word. It is anticipated that we won’t find pleasure in the thing that we see- yet somehow understand that God does (find pleasure in us).
The process of participating in bringing a new child into the world is joyous but agonizing. By the time my second son was born both my wife and I were on oxygen. The process of leaving this worldly husk is somehow both grueling yet peaceful. Somehow they are the same. Somehow they are both equally and vibrantly a demonstration of God’s love for us.
I think the lack of balance between birth and leprosy is that we can easily understand how birthing is a beautiful, while painful experience. The other end is harder for us. We don’t understand. I really, probably, don’t want to understand… we just want it to go away, to be over.
If our heart’s desire is to grow closer to understanding the ways of Adonai, it is important to begin to see things the way that He sees things- and the condition of our mortality is very much a part of that.
Leviticus 12:1-15:33
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Leviticus 12:1 KJV)
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and borne a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. (Leviticus 12:2 KJV)
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (Leviticus 12:3 KJV)
The uncleanness of the woman is interrupted by the blood-letting of her son. This cannot be but prophetic. This is significantly posted against the accusations that the Hebrew faith is female suppressive. In other cultures, the woman is not even invited to the ceremony. Here, all other circumstances are placed on hold. After eight days, the woman is still experiencing blood loss from the birth; yet, she is still invited to participate in the ceremony.
Much is made about the rite of circumcision, fortunately or unfortunately, which creates a matter of confusion in the Pauline epistles. Often, in correspondence, the measure of emphasis placed upon a subject is a response to the emphatic nature of the discussion. We find that in Acts 15, the matter of circumcision was such a deal that there were those coming into the congregations, claiming to possess authority to teach on behalf of the saints in Jerusalem, that circumcision was necessary for one to be saved. It is unfortunate that Paul’s discussion is taken out of this context so as to appear that he is condemning the biblical rite of circumcision ("circumcision is nothing, uncircumcision is nothing…") when, in context, he is trying to keep the matter in perspective, particularly among people groups who tend to run toward extremes.
A Jew is in essence "circumcised" even if, for whatever reason, his
physical foreskin has not yet been removed. Thus the verse says,
"On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised"--
the flesh need to be circumcised, but, spiritually, the Jew is always
"circumcised". (Alshich)
Said Rabbi Yitzchak: The law of the man and the law of the beast
are equal. The law of man is that "On the eighth day shall be
circumcised"; and the law of the beast is, "From the eighth day
onward it shall be accepted as a fire offering to G-d" (Leviticus
22:27). (Midrash Rabbah)
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. (Leviticus 12:4 KJV)
But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. (Leviticus 12:5 KJV)
Talmud states that if the man produces semen before the woman comes to full arousal, then the child will be female; but if the woman is satisfied then the child will be a son. Talmud says a lot of eye-brow raising stuff. Yet, if we see past the modern sense of impropriety in the speculation, we understand, with the value of a male son, how much emphasis is placed upon caring for the woman and nurturing her in the intimate relationship.
Responsively, if this premise was a common understanding, it bears legitimacy that the wife be "left alone" for a greater period of time after the birth of a daughter. commands sensitivity in the man curbing his desire for his wife sexually and seeing to her needs in other areas, learning to express his love for her with greater variety.
And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: (Leviticus 12:6 KJV)
Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. (Leviticus 12:7 KJV)
And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean. (Leviticus 12:8 KJV)
She must offer a sin offering for bringing new life into the world? One of the ancient teachings is that this is because, during the agonies of childbirth, a woman vows never to have sexual relations again!
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron, saying, (Leviticus 13:1 KJV)
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests: (Leviticus 13:2 KJV)
It’s commonly taught that leprosy is a representation of sin; but less known is the Hebraic understanding that it is the particular sin of lashon hara: evil speech. This stems from Miriam becoming leprous when raising accusation against Moses (Numbers 12:10).
Our Sages say that the occurrence of tzaraat was confined to biblical times, implying that later generations are not of the spiritual caliber that allows for this supra-natural affliction.
The reason for this can be understood from the opening words of the's description of the metzora. "Shall occur" implies a happenstance, something out of character; "in the skin of his flesh'' likewise indicates that the blemish is only superficial, affecting only the most external layer of the person. In other words, we are speaking of one whose inner being is free of imperfection, and in whom any "blemish" or malady exists only on the outside.
Thus the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98b) describes Moshiach as a metzora, signifying that the messianic age is a time in which evils which have infested the world and mankind rise to the surface, so that they can be decisively overcome and cured
(The Lubavitcher Rebbe)
And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean. (Leviticus 13:3 KJV)
If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days: (Leviticus 13:4 KJV)
And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more: (Leviticus 13:5 KJV)
And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean. (Leviticus 13:6 KJV)
But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest again: (Leviticus 13:7 KJV)
And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a leprosy. (Leviticus 13:8 KJV)
There are some interesting parallels in the description of leprosy when we consider lashon hara. It is our inclination to believe that it is only skin deep; but when we look at it closely, it goes much deeper- down into the depths of our being. It is also inclined to spread, infecting our entire bodies, and not only us, but potentially those around us. Yet, also interesting, is that the casual diagnosis may be wrong- that what is first suspected as evil speech may be something different altogether.
When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest; (Leviticus 13:9 KJV)
And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising; (Leviticus 13:10 KJV)
It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he is unclean. (Leviticus 13:11 KJV)
And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh; (Leviticus 13:12 KJV)
Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean. (Leviticus 13:13 KJV)
But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean. (Leviticus 13:14 KJV)
And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: for the raw flesh is unclean: it is a leprosy. (Leviticus 13:15 KJV)
Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest; (Leviticus 13:16 KJV)
And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: he is clean. (Leviticus 13:17 KJV)
"Raw flesh" is the Hebrew word "khay": which means that which is alive. The idea is that it is red or burning or glossy, in such a way that it almost seems a separate living thing that is attached to the rest of one’s body. Such is the character of evil speech. It takes on a life of its own when allowed to fester. Conversely, the word "white" refers to the morter used to make bricks, which is cool to the touch and becomes part of that which is around it. We can often discern the motive in a thing when we identify the inevitable conclusion- if it leads to unity and reconciliation, then it is not evil speech, though sometimes it can be hard to bear. At the same time, what can seem pleasant and radiant may inevitably burn and consume us from within.
The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed, (Leviticus 13:18 KJV)
And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be showed to the priest; (Leviticus 13:19 KJV)
Evil speech festers and causes pain.
And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil. (Leviticus 13:20 KJV)
But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower than the skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days: (Leviticus 13:21 KJV)
And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague. (Leviticus 13:22 KJV)
But if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not, it is a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. (Leviticus 13:23 KJV)
Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white; (Leviticus 13:24 KJV)
Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy. (Leviticus 13:25 KJV)
But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days: (Leviticus 13:26 KJV)
And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: and if it be spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy. (Leviticus 13:27 KJV)
And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is an inflammation of the burning. (Leviticus 13:28 KJV)
If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard; (Leviticus 13:29 KJV)
Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scurf, even a leprosy upon the head or beard. (Leviticus 13:30 KJV)
And if the priest look on the plague of the scurf, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scurf seven days: (Leviticus 13:31 KJV)
And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scurf spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scurf be not in sight deeper than the skin; (Leviticus 13:32 KJV)
He shall be shaven, but the scurf shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scurf seven days more: (Leviticus 13:33 KJV)
And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scurf: and, behold, if the scurf be not spread in the skin, nor be in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean. (Leviticus 13:34 KJV)
But if the scurf spread much in the skin after his cleansing; (Leviticus 13:35 KJV)
Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scurf be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean. (Leviticus 13:36 KJV)
But if the scurf be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scurf is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean. (Leviticus 13:37 KJV)
If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots; (Leviticus 13:38 KJV)
Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean. (Leviticus 13:39 KJV)
And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean. (Leviticus 13:40 KJV)
And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he is forehead bald: yet is he clean. (Leviticus 13:41 KJV)
And if there be in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy sprung up in his bald head, or his bald forehead. (Leviticus 13:42 KJV)
Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh; (Leviticus 13:43 KJV)
He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head. (Leviticus 13:44 KJV)
And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. (Leviticus 13:45 KJV)
Would that we had such evidences today of those who would go about spouting lashon hara. If only we could identify them from a distance, that their mouths would be covered and that they could only but speak in the way which clearly describes who they are.
To what may the tongue be compared? To a dog tied with an iron chain and locked in a room within a room within a room, yet when he barks the entire populace is terrified of him. Imagine if he were loose outside! So the tongue:
it is secured behind the teeth and behind the lips, yet it does no end of damage. Imagine if it were outside! (Yalkut Shimoni)
Evil talk kills three people: the speaker, the listener, and the one who is spoken of. (Talmud, Erachin 15a)
The speaker obviously commits a grave sin by speaking negatively of his fellow. The listener, too, is a partner to this evil. But why is the one who is spoken of affected by their deed? Are his negative traits worsened by the fact that they are spoken of? Indeed they are. A person may possess an evil trait or tendency, but his quintessential goodness, intrinsic to every soul, strives to control it, conquer it, and ultimately eradicate its negative expressions and redirect it as a positive force. But when this evil isspoken of, it is made that much more manifest and real. By speaking negatively of the person's trait or deed, the evil speakers are, in effect, defining it as such; with their words, they grant substance and validity to its negative potential. But the same applies in the reverse: speaking favorably of another, accentuating his or her positive side, will aid him to realize himself in the manner that you have defined him. (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)
A man once came to see Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch and proceeded to portray himself as a villain of the worst sort. After describing at length his moral and spiritual deficiencies, he begged the Rebbe to help him overcome his evil character. "Surely,'' said the Rebbe, "you know how grave is the sin of lashon
harah, speaking evilly of a human being. Nowhere, to my knowledge, does it say that it is permissible to speak lashon harah about oneself."
All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. (Leviticus 13:46 KJV)
Why is the metzora different from all other ritually impure persons in that the said, "He shall dwell alone; outside the camp shall his habitation be"? With his gossip and slander, he separated a husband from his wife, a man from his neighbor; therefore said the : "He shall dwell alone." (Talmud, Erachin 16b)
The Psalmist compares slanderous talk to "Sharp arrows of the warrior, coals of broom" (Psalms 120:4). All other weapons smite from close quarters, while the arrow smites from the distance. So is it with slander: it is spoken in Rome and kills in Syria. All other coals, when extinguished, are extinguished without and within; but coals of broom are still burning within when they are extinguished
without. So is it with words of slander: even after it seems that their effects have been put out, they continue to smolder within those who heard them. It once happened that a broom tree was set on fire and it burned eighteen months--winter, summer and winter.(Midrash Rabbah)
Evil talk is like an arrow. A person who unsheathes a sword can regret his intention and return it to its sheath. But the arrow cannot be retrieved. (Midrash Tehillim)
The role of the priest as one who is to declare one unclean and to thus banish a person from the camp is ironic. The priest is one whose job by definition is to bring reconciliation, to draw people near. The contrast in this position makes him all the more appropriate the choice for such a position. By the nature of his role in the community, to discard a person must be the farthest thing from what he would be inclined to do. He will never become jaded to assume one’s guilt. He will exhaust the farthest possibilities of doubt before exacting condemnation. Would that we could be so in our discretion concerning lashon hara- that we could always assume the best and must be convinced beyond all doubt that our brother is truly unclean.
The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment; (Leviticus 13:47 KJV)
Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woolen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin; (Leviticus 13:48 KJV)
I think one of my favorite simple pleasures in life is to publicly read "in the warp or in the woof…" The warp is the woven fabric itself. The woof is the binding that joins two pieces together.
And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be showed unto the priest: (Leviticus 13:49 KJV)
And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days: (Leviticus 13:50 KJV)
And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. (Leviticus 13:51 KJV)
"Fretting" is the word "mah-ar" which means bitter or painful. Lashon hara can extend to physical evidences which embitter our memories against those whom we love (or should love). If an object in your possession serves as a reminder of bitterness you harbor against another, it should be burned.
He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woolen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire. (Leviticus 13:52 KJV)
And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; (Leviticus 13:53 KJV)
Then the priest shall command that they wash the thing wherein the plague is, and he shall shut it up seven days more: (Leviticus 13:54 KJV)
And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his color, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without. (Leviticus 13:55 KJV)
And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague be somewhat dark after the washing of it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof: (Leviticus 13:56 KJV)
And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a spreading plague: thou shalt burn that wherein the plague is with fire. (Leviticus 13:57 KJV)
And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin it be, which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean. (Leviticus 13:58 KJV)
This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woolen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean. (Leviticus 13:59 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Leviticus 14:1 KJV)
This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: (Leviticus 14:2 KJV)
And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; (Leviticus 14:3 KJV)
Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: (Leviticus 14:4 KJV)
Because the plague of tzaraat comes in punishment for evil talk, which is an act of chatter, therefore birds are needed for his purification, because these chatter continuously with a twittering sound. (Rashi; Talmud)
Because he has exalted himself like a cedar... he should humble himself like a grass. (Midrash Tanchuma)
If the point is that he should show humility, why does he bring both a cedar and hyssop? But the true meaning of humility is not to be broken and bowed, but to be humble even as one stands straight and tall. (The
Masters)
A person should have two pockets in his coat. One should contain the Talmudic saying (Sanhedrin 37a), "A person is commanded to maintain: For my sake was the world created." In the second pocket he should keep the verse (Genesis 18:17), "I am but dust and ashes." (Rabbi Bunim of Peshischa)
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: (Leviticus 14:5 KJV)
As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: (Leviticus 14:6 KJV)
The bird is to be killed over "running water" literally means "living water". The traditional mikvah extends from this verse, that water for mikvah (baptism) must be fed from a natural source, contain a pool of at least 200 gallons of water, and must be flowing. The natural source indicates that this is water that comes from God, that mikvah is not something not of our own contrivance, A minimum of 200 gallons of water is necessary to cause a grown man to have the feeling of weightlessness when he fully submerses himself, thus giving the impression of being "born again", "born anew" or "born of water." The water must be flowing to indicate that those things which cause death in us are washed away. The imagery, as concerning our atonement is clear- that the living bird (us) is dipped in the blood of the one sacrificed (our Messiah). By His blood are we made clean.
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. (Leviticus 14:7 KJV)
And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days. (Leviticus 14:8 KJV)
But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his
, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean. (Leviticus 14:9 KJV)
Have you ever noticed how a big news story is on the front page even if it is wrong; but the correction that comes later is four pages back, way down in the corner? The standard for reconciliation in is completely opposite. Though the problem may have been diagnosed in quiet, the restoration is fully displayed for everyone.
And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. (Leviticus 14:10 KJV)
And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: (Leviticus 14:11 KJV)
And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:12 KJV)
And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy: (Leviticus 14:13 KJV)
And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: (Leviticus 14:14 KJV)
And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: (Leviticus 14:15 KJV)
And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:16 KJV)
And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering: (Leviticus 14:17 KJV)
And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:18 KJV)
And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering: (Leviticus 14:19 KJV)
And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean. (Leviticus 14:20 KJV)
And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil; (Leviticus 14:21 KJV)
And two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering. (Leviticus 14:22 KJV)
Western thinking is so different in the economy of worship. In our minds we think to ourselves, "What is the least we can prudently get away with?" From the oriental perspective, it is the opposite: "What is the greatest I have to offer?" Such is the different attitude we have in our understanding of gratitude and blessing. Such is the reason the depth of Adonai’s gift toward us, and the manner in which we are expected to respond is so foreign.
And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:23 KJV)
And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:24 KJV)
And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: (Leviticus 14:25 KJV)
If this appears familiar, it is because it repeats the sanctification of the priests for their duty of office (Leviticus 8:23-24). As we are blessed with life, healing and cleansing: a new lease on life, as it were, how could we but offer that life that Adonai has blessed us with as a service unto Him?
And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand: (Leviticus 14:26 KJV)
And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:27 KJV)
And the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass offering: (Leviticus 14:28 KJV)
And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:29 KJV)
And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get; (Leviticus 14:30 KJV)
Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:31 KJV)
This is the law of him in whom is the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get that which pertaineth to his cleansing. (Leviticus 14:32 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (Leviticus 14:33 KJV)
When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession; (Leviticus 14:34 KJV)
And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house: (Leviticus 14:35 KJV)
Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house: (Leviticus 14:36 KJV)
Anything in the house when it is declared unclean is unclean; but anything removed beofore the declaration is clean (unless leprosy can be found in it). is very practical and frugal with our property. It is Adonai’s intent to bless us, even in removing what must be removed, He spares what may be spared.
And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall; (Leviticus 14:37 KJV)
Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days: (Leviticus 14:38 KJV)
And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house; (Leviticus 14:39 KJV)
Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city: (Leviticus 14:40 KJV)
And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place: (Leviticus 14:41 KJV)
And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house. (Leviticus 14:42 KJV)
And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plastered; (Leviticus 14:43 KJV)
Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean. (Leviticus 14:44 KJV)
And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the mortar of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place. (Leviticus 14:45 KJV)
Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 14:46 KJV)
And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes. (Leviticus 14:47 KJV)
And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plastered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. (Leviticus 14:48 KJV)
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: (Leviticus 14:49 KJV)
And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water: (Leviticus 14:50 KJV)
And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times: (Leviticus 14:51 KJV)
And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet: (Leviticus 14:52 KJV)
But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean. (Leviticus 14:53 KJV)
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scurf, (Leviticus 14:54 KJV)
And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house, (Leviticus 14:55 KJV)
And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot: (Leviticus 14:56 KJV)
To teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean: this is the law of leprosy. (Leviticus 14:57 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and to Aaron, saying, (Leviticus 15:1 KJV)
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean. (Leviticus 15:2 KJV)
And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness. (Leviticus 15:3 KJV)
Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:4 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:5 KJV)
And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:6 KJV)
And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:7 KJV)
And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:8 KJV)
And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:9 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:10 KJV)
And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:11 KJV)
And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water. (Leviticus 15:12 KJV)
And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean. (Leviticus 15:13 KJV)
And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest: (Leviticus 15:14 KJV)
And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue. (Leviticus 15:15 KJV)
There’s a host of commentaries that suggest all kinds of understandings of the "running issue" described here. It is definitely not the same as a semen emission, as that is covered next. The Greek Septuigent specifically uses the term gonorrhea (I’m not making this up!) However, in the Greek understanding of the word, it doesn’t necessarily refer to a sexually transmitted disease. It may simply be a weeping fluid from any orifice due to a bacterial infection.
And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:16 KJV)
And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:17 KJV)
The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:18 KJV)
Sexual relations where there is any emission of semen renders both husband and wife unclean. This in no way suggests that sex is bad; but that it is necessarily kept in its proper place: apart from corporate and formal worship. This may seem embarrassingly obvious in modern Western culture; but not so in a number of theological practices that the Hebrew people have been exposed to (no pun intended) over the centuries.
And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:19 KJV)
And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:20 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:21 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:22 KJV)
And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:23 KJV)
And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:24 KJV)
This is different from a man and woman having sexual relations while she is menstruating. Such is covered in Leviticus 20:18.
And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:25 KJV)
Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. (Leviticus 15:26 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:27 KJV)
But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. (Leviticus 15:28 KJV)
And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Leviticus 15:29 KJV)
And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness. (Leviticus 15:30 KJV)
Much has been made (rabbinically as in various other cultures) that make niddah (or a woman’s menstrual cycle) a very negative thing. Practically speaking, if a woman is menstruating, she must be put in absolute isolation with no responsibilities or participation with any other family members for the course of her cycle. Most women I know would get a devilish gleam in her idea at the prospect and say, "Sign me up!" The reality of the teaching is that when the woman is in her uncleanness, her entire family is there right along side her.
This is a powerful blessing for the family that is under-realized. We tend to get stuck in our routine, often requiring the congregation, the Church (or in the biblical setting, the Temple) to carry our religious experience. The law of separation requires the household to step back and quite themselves for a week or so each month and step back into the ritual functions of worship each month with a renewed freshness.
In the same way, a husband and wife can easily become reliant on sexual expressions of intimacy to bond in their relationship toward each other. The Law of separation requires them to find other avenues of closeness in order to balance a healthy relationship.
Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them. (Leviticus 15:31 KJV)
This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith; (Leviticus 15:32 KJV)
And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean. (Leviticus 15:33 KJV)
If leprosy is a result or representation of evil speech, why is it considered "uncleanness" and not sin? It’s easy for us to lump the ideas together and assume that they are the same; but this can’t be the case. Picking a dead animal out of a pool of drinking water is not sin: rather this should be a mitzvah (a good deed); but it renders us unclean. Sexual relations with one’s spouse is definitely not sin, actually commanded of Adam and Noah’s sons; but it renders one unclean.
Messiah Yeshua met a man with leprosy who asked that he be "cleansed" rather than forgiven or healed. The distinction is important.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(James 1:13-15 KJV)
Sin is not a disease but the cause of the sickness that results in our pitiable state- just as poor sanitary conditions didn’t kill the populations of Europe but resulted in the Bubonic Plague. Disease is the evidence that results in the sinful condition in which we exist.
This is important because, when we feel bad, when we are discouraged and going through hard times, we want to be "healed" and maybe forgiven; but rarely does it occur to us that we need to be cleansed.
The relationship between child-bearing and mikvah (baptism or ritual cleansing) is the process of being completely enveloped in water, then bursting out as something new and fresh. Mikvah is described by Hebrew idioms such as being "born anew" or "born of water" as Messiah referred to it in John 3. Such would have been a shocking assertion when presented to Nicodemus, the Educational Superintendent of the high Jewish court. Even he would need to be cleansed?
What is tragically unfortunate is that so many of us choose to live outside the camp in leper colonies, though the cleansing waters have been offered to us. Many go into the waters of baptism, having been cleansed healed and forgiven; but instead of returning into the camp, they revert back to what they had learned to call home, surrounded by those with whom they had grown accustomed.
The problem is that we understand that we are sick and need to be healed. We can accept that we are sinners and need to be forgiven; but dirty and need to be cleansed? We just don’t see it. We refuse to understand. The result is that we are satisfied to experience worship from outside the camp, not realizing the closeness that He has offered through Messiah.
Note: Blue text is copied from commentaries provided by www.chabad.org but is not coverd by copywrite laws since they are public domain.
for this week: the conception and destruction of life, presented together here as if though they flow like a single thought. The process of birth is sacred and beautiful to me. I’ve been in the presence of that moment more than a few times. It never changes. It never becomes familiar. I’ve been in the presence of one man as he breathed his last breath. I suppose, in much the same way, I couldn’t imagine it ever being casual or mundane. There is more time, more paper, invested by our Lord in the
upon the subject of leprosy than any other single subject. It would seem that our mortality, and our being confronted with it, is instrumental in the cohesive message Adonai is compelled to send us. It’s important that we be reminded, that we be faced with how we come into this world and immediately turn to understand what it means for us to leave it.Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
(James 4:13-14 KJV)
It’s important to take stock and look into ourselves, peering through the looking-glass of God’s Word. It is anticipated that we won’t find pleasure in the thing that we see- yet somehow understand that God does (find pleasure in us).
The process of participating in bringing a new child into the world is joyous but agonizing. By the time my second son was born both my wife and I were on oxygen. The process of leaving this worldly husk is somehow both grueling yet peaceful. Somehow they are the same. Somehow they are both equally and vibrantly a demonstration of God’s love for us.
I think the lack of balance between birth and leprosy is that we can easily understand how birthing is a beautiful, while painful experience. The other end is harder for us. We don’t understand. I really, probably, don’t want to understand… we just want it to go away, to be over.
If our heart’s desire is to grow closer to understanding the ways of Adonai, it is important to begin to see things the way that He sees things- and the condition of our mortality is very much a part of that.
Leviticus 12:1-15:33
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Leviticus 12:1 KJV)
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and borne a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. (Leviticus 12:2 KJV)
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (Leviticus 12:3 KJV)
The uncleanness of the woman is interrupted by the blood-letting of her son. This cannot be but prophetic. This is significantly posted against the accusations that the Hebrew faith is female suppressive. In other cultures, the woman is not even invited to the ceremony. Here, all other circumstances are placed on hold. After eight days, the woman is still experiencing blood loss from the birth; yet, she is still invited to participate in the ceremony.
Much is made about the rite of circumcision, fortunately or unfortunately, which creates a matter of confusion in the Pauline epistles. Often, in correspondence, the measure of emphasis placed upon a subject is a response to the emphatic nature of the discussion. We find that in Acts 15, the matter of circumcision was such a deal that there were those coming into the congregations, claiming to possess authority to teach on behalf of the saints in Jerusalem, that circumcision was necessary for one to be saved. It is unfortunate that Paul’s discussion is taken out of this context so as to appear that he is condemning the biblical rite of circumcision ("circumcision is nothing, uncircumcision is nothing…") when, in context, he is trying to keep the matter in perspective, particularly among people groups who tend to run toward extremes.
A Jew is in essence "circumcised" even if, for whatever reason, his
physical foreskin has not yet been removed. Thus the verse says,
"On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised"--
the flesh need to be circumcised, but, spiritually, the Jew is always
"circumcised". (Alshich)
Said Rabbi Yitzchak: The law of the man and the law of the beast
are equal. The law of man is that "On the eighth day shall be
circumcised"; and the law of the beast is, "From the eighth day
onward it shall be accepted as a fire offering to G-d" (Leviticus
22:27). (Midrash Rabbah)
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. (Leviticus 12:4 KJV)
But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. (Leviticus 12:5 KJV)
Talmud states that if the man produces semen before the woman comes to full arousal, then the child will be female; but if the woman is satisfied then the child will be a son. Talmud says a lot of eye-brow raising stuff. Yet, if we see past the modern sense of impropriety in the speculation, we understand, with the value of a male son, how much emphasis is placed upon caring for the woman and nurturing her in the intimate relationship.
Responsively, if this premise was a common understanding, it bears legitimacy that the wife be "left alone" for a greater period of time after the birth of a daughter.
commands sensitivity in the man curbing his desire for his wife sexually and seeing to her needs in other areas, learning to express his love for her with greater variety. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: (Leviticus 12:6 KJV)
Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. (Leviticus 12:7 KJV)
And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean. (Leviticus 12:8 KJV)
She must offer a sin offering for bringing new life into the world? One of the ancient teachings is that this is because, during the agonies of childbirth, a woman vows never to have sexual relations again!
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron, saying, (Leviticus 13:1 KJV)
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests: (Leviticus 13:2 KJV)
It’s commonly taught that leprosy is a representation of sin; but less known is the Hebraic understanding that it is the particular sin of lashon hara: evil speech. This stems from Miriam becoming leprous when raising accusation against Moses (Numbers 12:10).
Our Sages say that the occurrence of tzaraat was confined to biblical times, implying that later generations are not of the spiritual caliber that allows for this supra-natural affliction.
The reason for this can be understood from the opening words of the
's description of the metzora. "Shall occur" implies a happenstance, something out of character; "in the skin of his flesh'' likewise indicates that the blemish is only superficial, affecting only the most external layer of the person. In other words, we are speaking of one whose inner being is free of imperfection, and in whom any "blemish" or malady exists only on the outside.Thus the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98b) describes Moshiach as a metzora, signifying that the messianic age is a time in which evils which have infested the world and mankind rise to the surface, so that they can be decisively overcome and cured
(The Lubavitcher Rebbe)
And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean. (Leviticus 13:3 KJV)
If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days: (Leviticus 13:4 KJV)
And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more: (Leviticus 13:5 KJV)
And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean. (Leviticus 13:6 KJV)
But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest again: (Leviticus 13:7 KJV)
And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a leprosy. (Leviticus 13:8 KJV)
There are some interesting parallels in the description of leprosy when we consider lashon hara. It is our inclination to believe that it is only skin deep; but when we look at it closely, it goes much deeper- down into the depths of our being. It is also inclined to spread, infecting our entire bodies, and not only us, but potentially those around us. Yet, also interesting, is that the casual diagnosis may be wrong- that what is first suspected as evil speech may be something different altogether.
When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest; (Leviticus 13:9 KJV)
And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising; (Leviticus 13:10 KJV)
It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he is unclean. (Leviticus 13:11 KJV)
And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh; (Leviticus 13:12 KJV)
Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean. (Leviticus 13:13 KJV)
But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean. (Leviticus 13:14 KJV)
And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: for the raw flesh is unclean: it is a leprosy. (Leviticus 13:15 KJV)
Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest; (Leviticus 13:16 KJV)
And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: he is clean. (Leviticus 13:17 KJV)
"Raw flesh" is the Hebrew word "khay": which means that which is alive. The idea is that it is red or burning or glossy, in such a way that it almost seems a separate living thing that is attached to the rest of one’s body. Such is the character of evil speech. It takes on a life of its own when allowed to fester. Conversely, the word "white" refers to the morter used to make bricks, which is cool to the touch and becomes part of that which is around it. We can often discern the motive in a thing when we identify the inevitable conclusion- if it leads to unity and reconciliation, then it is not evil speech, though sometimes it can be hard to bear. At the same time, what can seem pleasant and radiant may inevitably burn and consume us from within.
The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed, (Leviticus 13:18 KJV)
And in the place of the boil there be a white rising, or a bright spot, white, and somewhat reddish, and it be showed to the priest; (Leviticus 13:19 KJV)
Evil speech festers and causes pain.
And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil. (Leviticus 13:20 KJV)
But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hairs therein, and if it be not lower than the skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days: (Leviticus 13:21 KJV)
And if it spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague. (Leviticus 13:22 KJV)
But if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not, it is a burning boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. (Leviticus 13:23 KJV)
Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that burneth have a white bright spot, somewhat reddish, or white; (Leviticus 13:24 KJV)
Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: wherefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy. (Leviticus 13:25 KJV)
But if the priest look on it, and, behold, there be no white hair in the bright spot, and it be no lower than the other skin, but be somewhat dark; then the priest shall shut him up seven days: (Leviticus 13:26 KJV)
And the priest shall look upon him the seventh day: and if it be spread much abroad in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is the plague of leprosy. (Leviticus 13:27 KJV)
And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean: for it is an inflammation of the burning. (Leviticus 13:28 KJV)
If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard; (Leviticus 13:29 KJV)
Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scurf, even a leprosy upon the head or beard. (Leviticus 13:30 KJV)
And if the priest look on the plague of the scurf, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scurf seven days: (Leviticus 13:31 KJV)
And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scurf spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scurf be not in sight deeper than the skin; (Leviticus 13:32 KJV)
He shall be shaven, but the scurf shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scurf seven days more: (Leviticus 13:33 KJV)
And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scurf: and, behold, if the scurf be not spread in the skin, nor be in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean. (Leviticus 13:34 KJV)
But if the scurf spread much in the skin after his cleansing; (Leviticus 13:35 KJV)
Then the priest shall look on him: and, behold, if the scurf be spread in the skin, the priest shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean. (Leviticus 13:36 KJV)
But if the scurf be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scurf is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean. (Leviticus 13:37 KJV)
If a man also or a woman have in the skin of their flesh bright spots, even white bright spots; (Leviticus 13:38 KJV)
Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean. (Leviticus 13:39 KJV)
And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean. (Leviticus 13:40 KJV)
And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he is forehead bald: yet is he clean. (Leviticus 13:41 KJV)
And if there be in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy sprung up in his bald head, or his bald forehead. (Leviticus 13:42 KJV)
Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh; (Leviticus 13:43 KJV)
He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head. (Leviticus 13:44 KJV)
And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. (Leviticus 13:45 KJV)
Would that we had such evidences today of those who would go about spouting lashon hara. If only we could identify them from a distance, that their mouths would be covered and that they could only but speak in the way which clearly describes who they are.
To what may the tongue be compared? To a dog tied with an iron chain and locked in a room within a room within a room, yet when he barks the entire populace is terrified of him. Imagine if he were loose outside! So the tongue:
it is secured behind the teeth and behind the lips, yet it does no end of damage. Imagine if it were outside! (Yalkut Shimoni)
Evil talk kills three people: the speaker, the listener, and the one who is spoken of. (Talmud, Erachin 15a)
The speaker obviously commits a grave sin by speaking negatively of his fellow. The listener, too, is a partner to this evil. But why is the one who is spoken of affected by their deed? Are his negative traits worsened by the fact that they are spoken of? Indeed they are. A person may possess an evil trait or tendency, but his quintessential goodness, intrinsic to every soul, strives to control it, conquer it, and ultimately eradicate its negative expressions and redirect it as a positive force. But when this evil isspoken of, it is made that much more manifest and real. By speaking negatively of the person's trait or deed, the evil speakers are, in effect, defining it as such; with their words, they grant substance and validity to its negative potential. But the same applies in the reverse: speaking favorably of another, accentuating his or her positive side, will aid him to realize himself in the manner that you have defined him. (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)
A man once came to see Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch and proceeded to portray himself as a villain of the worst sort. After describing at length his moral and spiritual deficiencies, he begged the Rebbe to help him overcome his evil character. "Surely,'' said the Rebbe, "you know how grave is the sin of lashon
harah, speaking evilly of a human being. Nowhere, to my knowledge, does it say that it is permissible to speak lashon harah about oneself."
All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. (Leviticus 13:46 KJV)
Why is the metzora different from all other ritually impure persons in that the
said, "He shall dwell alone; outside the camp shall his habitation be"? With his gossip and slander, he separated a husband from his wife, a man from his neighbor; therefore said the : "He shall dwell alone." (Talmud, Erachin 16b)The Psalmist compares slanderous talk to "Sharp arrows of the warrior, coals of broom" (Psalms 120:4). All other weapons smite from close quarters, while the arrow smites from the distance. So is it with slander: it is spoken in Rome and kills in Syria. All other coals, when extinguished, are extinguished without and within; but coals of broom are still burning within when they are extinguished
without. So is it with words of slander: even after it seems that their effects have been put out, they continue to smolder within those who heard them. It once happened that a broom tree was set on fire and it burned eighteen months--winter, summer and winter.(Midrash Rabbah)
Evil talk is like an arrow. A person who unsheathes a sword can regret his intention and return it to its sheath. But the arrow cannot be retrieved. (Midrash Tehillim)
The role of the priest as one who is to declare one unclean and to thus banish a person from the camp is ironic. The priest is one whose job by definition is to bring reconciliation, to draw people near. The contrast in this position makes him all the more appropriate the choice for such a position. By the nature of his role in the community, to discard a person must be the farthest thing from what he would be inclined to do. He will never become jaded to assume one’s guilt. He will exhaust the farthest possibilities of doubt before exacting condemnation. Would that we could be so in our discretion concerning lashon hara- that we could always assume the best and must be convinced beyond all doubt that our brother is truly unclean.
The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment; (Leviticus 13:47 KJV)
Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woolen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin; (Leviticus 13:48 KJV)
I think one of my favorite simple pleasures in life is to publicly read "in the warp or in the woof…" The warp is the woven fabric itself. The woof is the binding that joins two pieces together.
And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be showed unto the priest: (Leviticus 13:49 KJV)
And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days: (Leviticus 13:50 KJV)
And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. (Leviticus 13:51 KJV)
"Fretting" is the word "mah-ar" which means bitter or painful. Lashon hara can extend to physical evidences which embitter our memories against those whom we love (or should love). If an object in your possession serves as a reminder of bitterness you harbor against another, it should be burned.
He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woolen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire. (Leviticus 13:52 KJV)
And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; (Leviticus 13:53 KJV)
Then the priest shall command that they wash the thing wherein the plague is, and he shall shut it up seven days more: (Leviticus 13:54 KJV)
And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his color, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without. (Leviticus 13:55 KJV)
And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague be somewhat dark after the washing of it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof: (Leviticus 13:56 KJV)
And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a spreading plague: thou shalt burn that wherein the plague is with fire. (Leviticus 13:57 KJV)
And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin it be, which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean. (Leviticus 13:58 KJV)
This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woolen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean. (Leviticus 13:59 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, (Leviticus 14:1 KJV)
This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: (Leviticus 14:2 KJV)
And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; (Leviticus 14:3 KJV)
Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: (Leviticus 14:4 KJV)
Because the plague of tzaraat comes in punishment for evil talk, which is an act of chatter, therefore birds are needed for his purification, because these chatter continuously with a twittering sound. (Rashi; Talmud)
Because he has exalted himself like a cedar... he should humble himself like a grass. (Midrash Tanchuma)
If the point is that he should show humility, why does he bring both a cedar and hyssop? But the true meaning of humility is not to be broken and bowed, but to be humble even as one stands straight and tall. (The
Masters)A person should have two pockets in his coat. One should contain the Talmudic saying (Sanhedrin 37a), "A person is commanded to maintain: For my sake was the world created." In the second pocket he should keep the verse (Genesis 18:17), "I am but dust and ashes." (Rabbi Bunim of Peshischa)
And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: (Leviticus 14:5 KJV)
As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: (Leviticus 14:6 KJV)
The bird is to be killed over "running water" literally means "living water". The traditional mikvah extends from this verse, that water for mikvah (baptism) must be fed from a natural source, contain a pool of at least 200 gallons of water, and must be flowing. The natural source indicates that this is water that comes from God, that mikvah is not something not of our own contrivance, A minimum of 200 gallons of water is necessary to cause a grown man to have the feeling of weightlessness when he fully submerses himself, thus giving the impression of being "born again", "born anew" or "born of water." The water must be flowing to indicate that those things which cause death in us are washed away. The imagery, as concerning our atonement is clear- that the living bird (us) is dipped in the blood of the one sacrificed (our Messiah). By His blood are we made clean.
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. (Leviticus 14:7 KJV)
And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days. (Leviticus 14:8 KJV)
But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his
, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean. (Leviticus 14:9 KJV)Have you ever noticed how a big news story is on the front page even if it is wrong; but the correction that comes later is four pages back, way down in the corner? The standard for reconciliation in
is completely opposite. Though the problem may have been diagnosed in quiet, the restoration is fully displayed for everyone.And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil. (Leviticus 14:10 KJV)
And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: (Leviticus 14:11 KJV)
And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:12 KJV)
And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy: (Leviticus 14:13 KJV)
And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: (Leviticus 14:14 KJV)
And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: (Leviticus 14:15 KJV)
And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:16 KJV)
And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering: (Leviticus 14:17 KJV)
And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:18 KJV)
And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering: (Leviticus 14:19 KJV)
And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean. (Leviticus 14:20 KJV)
And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil; (Leviticus 14:21 KJV)
And two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering. (Leviticus 14:22 KJV)
Western thinking is so different in the economy of worship. In our minds we think to ourselves, "What is the least we can prudently get away with?" From the oriental perspective, it is the opposite: "What is the greatest I have to offer?" Such is the different attitude we have in our understanding of gratitude and blessing. Such is the reason the depth of Adonai’s gift toward us, and the manner in which we are expected to respond is so foreign.
And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:23 KJV)
And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:24 KJV)
And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: (Leviticus 14:25 KJV)
If this appears familiar, it is because it repeats the sanctification of the priests for their duty of office (Leviticus 8:23-24). As we are blessed with life, healing and cleansing: a new lease on life, as it were, how could we but offer that life that Adonai has blessed us with as a service unto Him?
And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand: (Leviticus 14:26 KJV)
And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD: (Leviticus 14:27 KJV)
And the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass offering: (Leviticus 14:28 KJV)
And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:29 KJV)
And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get; (Leviticus 14:30 KJV)
Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD. (Leviticus 14:31 KJV)
This is the law of him in whom is the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get that which pertaineth to his cleansing. (Leviticus 14:32 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (Leviticus 14:33 KJV)
When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession; (Leviticus 14:34 KJV)
And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house: (Leviticus 14:35 KJV)
Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house: (Leviticus 14:36 KJV)
Anything in the house when it is declared unclean is unclean; but anything removed beofore the declaration is clean (unless leprosy can be found in it).
is very practical and frugal with our property. It is Adonai’s intent to bless us, even in removing what must be removed, He spares what may be spared.And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall; (Leviticus 14:37 KJV)
Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days: (Leviticus 14:38 KJV)
And the priest shall come again the seventh day, and shall look: and, behold, if the plague be spread in the walls of the house; (Leviticus 14:39 KJV)
Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city: (Leviticus 14:40 KJV)
And he shall cause the house to be scraped within round about, and they shall pour out the dust that they scrape off without the city into an unclean place: (Leviticus 14:41 KJV)
And they shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house. (Leviticus 14:42 KJV)
And if the plague come again, and break out in the house, after that he hath taken away the stones, and after he hath scraped the house, and after it is plastered; (Leviticus 14:43 KJV)
Then the priest shall come and look, and, behold, if the plague be spread in the house, it is a fretting leprosy in the house: it is unclean. (Leviticus 14:44 KJV)
And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the mortar of the house; and he shall carry them forth out of the city into an unclean place. (Leviticus 14:45 KJV)
Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 14:46 KJV)
And he that lieth in the house shall wash his clothes; and he that eateth in the house shall wash his clothes. (Leviticus 14:47 KJV)
And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plastered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. (Leviticus 14:48 KJV)
And he shall take to cleanse the house two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: (Leviticus 14:49 KJV)
And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water: (Leviticus 14:50 KJV)
And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times: (Leviticus 14:51 KJV)
And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet: (Leviticus 14:52 KJV)
But he shall let go the living bird out of the city into the open fields, and make an atonement for the house: and it shall be clean. (Leviticus 14:53 KJV)
This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scurf, (Leviticus 14:54 KJV)
And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house, (Leviticus 14:55 KJV)
And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot: (Leviticus 14:56 KJV)
To teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean: this is the law of leprosy. (Leviticus 14:57 KJV)
And the LORD spoke unto Moses and to Aaron, saying, (Leviticus 15:1 KJV)
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh, because of his issue he is unclean. (Leviticus 15:2 KJV)
And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness. (Leviticus 15:3 KJV)
Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:4 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:5 KJV)
And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:6 KJV)
And he that toucheth the flesh of him that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:7 KJV)
And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:8 KJV)
And what saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:9 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:10 KJV)
And whomsoever he toucheth that hath the issue, and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:11 KJV)
And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water. (Leviticus 15:12 KJV)
And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean. (Leviticus 15:13 KJV)
And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest: (Leviticus 15:14 KJV)
And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue. (Leviticus 15:15 KJV)
There’s a host of commentaries that suggest all kinds of understandings of the "running issue" described here. It is definitely not the same as a semen emission, as that is covered next. The Greek Septuigent specifically uses the term gonorrhea (I’m not making this up!) However, in the Greek understanding of the word, it doesn’t necessarily refer to a sexually transmitted disease. It may simply be a weeping fluid from any orifice due to a bacterial infection.
And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:16 KJV)
And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:17 KJV)
The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:18 KJV)
Sexual relations where there is any emission of semen renders both husband and wife unclean. This in no way suggests that sex is bad; but that it is necessarily kept in its proper place: apart from corporate and formal worship. This may seem embarrassingly obvious in modern Western culture; but not so in a number of theological practices that the Hebrew people have been exposed to (no pun intended) over the centuries.
And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:19 KJV)
And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:20 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:21 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:22 KJV)
And if it be on her bed, or on any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:23 KJV)
And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:24 KJV)
This is different from a man and woman having sexual relations while she is menstruating. Such is covered in Leviticus 20:18.
And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:25 KJV)
Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. (Leviticus 15:26 KJV)
And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Leviticus 15:27 KJV)
But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. (Leviticus 15:28 KJV)
And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Leviticus 15:29 KJV)
And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness. (Leviticus 15:30 KJV)
Much has been made (rabbinically as in various other cultures) that make niddah (or a woman’s menstrual cycle) a very negative thing. Practically speaking, if a woman is menstruating, she must be put in absolute isolation with no responsibilities or participation with any other family members for the course of her cycle. Most women I know would get a devilish gleam in her idea at the prospect and say, "Sign me up!" The reality of the teaching is that when the woman is in her uncleanness, her entire family is there right along side her.
This is a powerful blessing for the family that is under-realized. We tend to get stuck in our routine, often requiring the congregation, the Church (or in the biblical setting, the Temple) to carry our religious experience. The law of separation requires the household to step back and quite themselves for a week or so each month and step back into the ritual functions of worship each month with a renewed freshness.
In the same way, a husband and wife can easily become reliant on sexual expressions of intimacy to bond in their relationship toward each other. The Law of separation requires them to find other avenues of closeness in order to balance a healthy relationship.
Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them. (Leviticus 15:31 KJV)
This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith; (Leviticus 15:32 KJV)
And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean. (Leviticus 15:33 KJV)
If leprosy is a result or representation of evil speech, why is it considered "uncleanness" and not sin? It’s easy for us to lump the ideas together and assume that they are the same; but this can’t be the case. Picking a dead animal out of a pool of drinking water is not sin: rather this should be a mitzvah (a good deed); but it renders us unclean. Sexual relations with one’s spouse is definitely not sin, actually commanded of Adam and Noah’s sons; but it renders one unclean.
Messiah Yeshua met a man with leprosy who asked that he be "cleansed" rather than forgiven or healed. The distinction is important.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(James 1:13-15 KJV)
Sin is not a disease but the cause of the sickness that results in our pitiable state- just as poor sanitary conditions didn’t kill the populations of Europe but resulted in the Bubonic Plague. Disease is the evidence that results in the sinful condition in which we exist.
This is important because, when we feel bad, when we are discouraged and going through hard times, we want to be "healed" and maybe forgiven; but rarely does it occur to us that we need to be cleansed.
The relationship between child-bearing and mikvah (baptism or ritual cleansing) is the process of being completely enveloped in water, then bursting out as something new and fresh. Mikvah is described by Hebrew idioms such as being "born anew" or "born of water" as Messiah referred to it in John 3. Such would have been a shocking assertion when presented to Nicodemus, the Educational Superintendent of the high Jewish court. Even he would need to be cleansed?
What is tragically unfortunate is that so many of us choose to live outside the camp in leper colonies, though the cleansing waters have been offered to us. Many go into the waters of baptism, having been cleansed healed and forgiven; but instead of returning into the camp, they revert back to what they had learned to call home, surrounded by those with whom they had grown accustomed.
The problem is that we understand that we are sick and need to be healed. We can accept that we are sinners and need to be forgiven; but dirty and need to be cleansed? We just don’t see it. We refuse to understand. The result is that we are satisfied to experience worship from outside the camp, not realizing the closeness that He has offered through Messiah.
Note: Blue text is copied from commentaries provided by www.chabad.org but is not coverd by copywrite laws since they are public domain.
