Tazria/Metzora
Lev. 12:1 - 15:33

Last week, the Torah portion began with the sin and death of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. If we jump ahead to chapter 16 we read in the first verse, Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the LORD and died. It would seem that logically, 16:1 should follow chapter 10. However that is not the case. This week’s portion, consisting of various laws of purity, seems to interrupts the narrative. Why is that?

Thematically, the sin of Aaron’s sons introduces an entire set of laws which discuss situations that keep a person from proper entry into the Tabernacle. It is after this discussion that we return to the narrative in which God tells Aaron how to properly enter the Tabernacle on Yom Kippur. These intervening chapters explain how one becomes "unclean" and what it takes to then become "clean". Remember that when we talk of being "unclean" in this context, we are not talking about sinful acts. They are a state that one is in which prevents him/her from entering the Tabernacle. Notice carefully that there is no prohibition for entering into the state of "uncleanness" - only a prohibition from entering the Tabernacle while in this state. Without a tabernacle, one could live in a state of "uncleanness" with no consequence for their whole life. These chapters, along with the ones preceding them as well as those following, discuss the theme of being prepared to enter the presence of God. Even though there is no Tabernacle today, the principle of spiritual preparation remains the same. When we gather together on Shabbat, we need to see it as a holy time - a holy time which requires preparation. May I suggest that we spend time in prayer early in the morning or perhaps on Erev Shabbat (Friday night) or reading the Torah portion from the bible (or any portion of Scripture for that matter!)

In the New Covenant, we read that when we partake of Messiah’s Table we need to be prepared. We read in 1Cor. 11:28 -30 "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep." Paul is saying that we need to be prepared to enter the presence of God.

Whether it be the service on Shabbat, partaking of Messiah’s table, or any other activity that would be considered entering the presence of God, let’s recognize that spiritual preparation is needed to enter into His presence. Shabbat Shalom!