Parashat: Tazria-Metzora

Parashat: Tazria-Metzora
Torah Reading: Leviticus 12:1–15:33

“…When it has been brought to the priest, the priest shall go outside the camp…”

— Leviticus 14:3

Parashat Tazria-Metzora is not always the easiest portion to deal with, mostly because it takes us outside (most!) of our comfort zones. When talking about illness, contagion, discharge, and more (okay doctors, we realize you’re okay with this one!), many readers are more than happy to “skip past the icky parts.” However, as we get to the priestly functions in this part of our parashah, we find that our priests have to take courage, step outside their holy inner circle of a sanctuary, and head outside the camp.

Going outside of our comfort zone is always a risk — but it’s one that generally brings a reward, because it shows us what we value. When our priests go outside the camp, it’s to help bring others back in to the community — helping them get resettled and reconnected after a period of isolation and suffering. This type of action is what true leadership might look like: risking one’s comfort and security in order to deepen a relationship, strengthening the society as a whole in the meantime.

— Rabbi Amanda K. Weiss