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And he shall let the living bird loose into the open field. (14:7)

The process of purifying a metzora involves taking two live birds and following a detailed procedure with each of them.  The Kohen slaughters one bird, while he sets the other bird free.  This procedure is unique to the concept of sacrifices, which previously had been applied only to offerings brought and sacrificed upon the Mizbayach, Altar.  This is indeed a radical concept that begs elucidation. Horav Baruch Halevi Epstein, zl, in his Tosefes Brachah gives a noteworthy explanation.  Until now, the victim was known as a tamei, impure person.  He was an outcast who was relegated to cry out, “Tamei,…

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This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification. He shall be brought to the Kohen. (14:2)

The Torah commands the people to bring a metzora to the Kohen.  This implies that the metzora is brought even by force, if necessary.  The Ibn Ezra explains that human nature’s control over a person is compelling.  The moment that he is healed from his illness, he no longer senses the urgency to attain his purity.  Thus, he must be brought to the Kohen. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, feels that this applies to all areas of human endeavor.  When the metzora is in pain, when he suffers various afflictions, he does anything to effect a release from his anguish.  Yet,…

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This shall be the law of the metzora. (14:2)

Chazal say that the word metzora is an acronym for “motzi ra,” “(he) brings forth evil.”  This is a reference to lashon hora, evil tongue/speech which is the source of tzaraas.  Nowhere do we find a sin such as lashon hora, in which the punitive efforts to cleanse the individual and bring him to teshuvah are visited upon him in a descending order.  First, his house is struck; then, his begadim, clothes, became tamei until eventually he himself is struck by Hashem.  In the process, terrible pain is inflicted upon him.  Moreover, the pain of loneliness, the humiliation of being…

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