Tazria
The Energy of Cleansing
Creation of Life
This week we read a double portion, Tazria and Metzora. The portions are almost entirely focused on Tzara’as, a skin blemish that can affect people, clothing and even houses. Yet the opening first verse describes the laws of purity connected to conception and birth. If the name and first verse encapsulate the energy of the entire portion, how do we reconcile creation and new life with blemishes, imperfection and decay?
The answer is deeply powerful. Just as a new born baby enters the world in a pure state, a person who becomes sick, or in this case afflicted with a skin disease, is being given an opportunity to begin again. Illness - particularly Tzara’as, is not is not merely physical, but a spiritual invitation. It is a reset. A calling to create a new version of oneself with greater awareness, refinement, and purpose.
Tzara’as, and often other forms of dis-ease, are not punishments - they are awakenings
Power of Words
According to the Talmud and the Rambam, Tzara’as is linked to Lashor Hara - negative or careless speech. It is often mistaken as leprosy, but in truth it is a spiritual condition expressed physically, meant to awaken a person to the consequences of their words.
The potential negative effects that gossip has on both the person spreading the gossip, as well as the listener, are so great that the Torah has almost two full portions dedicated to the subject. The portions describe the process to check for Tzara’as, how to quarantine an affected person and how to purify the person, their garments or home.
Our inability to see the entire picture and know all of the facts often leads to false conclusions. When we gossip or share information without knowing all of the facts, we create tremendous damage to ourselves and others. These portions come to remind us that not everything we hear is complete, and not everything we think needs to be said. Guarding our speech is one of the highest forms of spiritual discipline.
Spiritual Cleansing
We learn from this week’s double portion that Tzara’as, or any dis-ease of the body is really a blessing in disguise. The physical issue helps us to recognize a change we need to make and helps us to transform on a spiritual level in order to rectify a problem that has become physically manifest.
It is no coincidence that these Torah portions are read during the Counting of the Omer, a period of self reflection and cleansing that takes place during the 49-day period from Pesach to Shavuot. During this time we can connect to the energy of cleansing by using the same process used to purify ourselves from Tzara’as – self examination, separation from all forms of negativity and starting over anew. We are not meant to remain where we are. We are menat to evolve.
Practical Tools for the Week
1. The Pause Before Speech
Before speaking, take a brief pause and ask: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?
If not, let it go. Silence is often the higher expression.
2. One Conversation Upgrade
Choose one interaction each day to elevate - replace criticism with encouragement, or gossip with gratitude.
3. Daily Reset Moment
Take 3–5 minutes daily during the Omer to reflect:
Where did I react today? Where can I respond with more awareness tomorrow?
4. Create Healthy Separation
If certain conversations or environments pull you into negativity, step back - just as the Torah prescribes temporary separation for healing.
5. Speak Life Into Others
Make it a practice to give one genuine, specific compliment each day. Use your words to build - not diminish.
Resources & Credits
The Weekly Wisdom emails and the ideas presented herein are compiled from the following sources:
Gutnick Edition Chumash with Rashi's commentary, Targum Onkelos, and commentary anthologized from Classic Rabbinic Texts and the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Apples from the Orchard - Gleanings from the Mystical Teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria on the Weekly Torah Portion
Kabbalistic Bible - Kabbalah Centre International, Inc
The Zohar - Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, various translations
Mysteries of the Kabbalah - Marc-Alain Ouaknin
Wikipedia
Other online written and video content that discusses and shares Kabbalistic Wisdom