Metzora – A thought for the week by Mike Lewis

The Sedra today, following the diagnosis of Tsaraat last week, is filled with treatment plans. But the Haftorah which we read is much more thought provoking. It is set in the kingdom of Israel under a less than inspiring king, Joram in the 9th century BCE.

Under siege, and with the threat of cannibalism in the city, we are introduced to the four lepers at the gate. These men are outcasts. Faced with a choice of death if they enter the city or death at the hands of the besieging Arameans they take their chances with the invaders. To their surprise the invaders have left and initially they grab all the food and valuables.

“Now,” one said to another, “we are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, yet we are keeping quiet.”

So they returned to the city to bring the good news and the people were saved.

There are outcasts in most societies. They become defined through disabilities, either physical or mental, through life style choices, through expressed opinions or just being seen as “the other”. We, all of us, have something to contribute and we all have value to our fellows. We are all part of Klal Yisroel