Tazria-Metzora - Your Body is a Wonderland

The double portion of Tazria-Metzora arguably presents some of the most challenging material for the contemporary reader of any portion(s) in the Torah.  These portions delve into skin afflictions, the aftermath of childbirth, and other bodily issues that usually are not discussed publicly.  Oftentimes, explorations of these portions will seek to read the text as metaphorical; for instance, many rabbis interpret Metzora as a portmanteau of "motzi shem ra," one who brings a bad name to another by gossiping about him or her.  While such deflection from the straightforward reading of the text can be helpful in teaching other lessons, it may dissuade us from doing the hard work of actually grappling with the text as it stands.  Similarly, to dismiss these passages as relics of a civilization who lacked a full understanding of biological processes is to unfairly apply cultural relativism to the Torah.

While the instructions given to one who gives birth, or is afflicted with tzara'at, or experiences one of the other conditions mentioned in theses portions may initially seem draconian and unfair, we can see that they are imposed with a sense of awe and reverence of the workings of the human body.  There is, in the midst of all of these rules, an appreciation that the human body is capable of reproduction, of healing after injury or affliction, of being made whole again after illness.  The ultimate message of these portions is perhaps one we need to hear more clearly during these days in which we are experiencing our own isolation for medical reasons:  Your body is a wonderland, and it should be celebrated.


Please note, I do not own-- nor do I claim to own-- these songs.  Copyrights are held by the various artists.  I include them here for illustrative purposes.
Your Body is a Wonderland- (Tazria-Metzora- Leviticus 12:1-15:33)

Music and lyrics by John Mayer; performed by John Mayer. From the album "Room for Squares," Columbia, 2001.