Today is March 19, 2024 /

Temple Israel of Scranton

Temple Israel of Scranton

An Egalitarian, Conservative Jewish Congregation – Be A Part of Us!

918 East Gibson Street, Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 342-0350 | Email Us

Tazria-Metzora 5781

Posted on April 16, 2021

From the Rabbi’s desk 

Tazria-Metzora, a double parashah about skin disease and the treatment of skin disease, is a remarkably apt parashah for what we are going through right now as we emerge from our isolation. 

We read that at the conclusion of the purification process, the priest was to apply the blood of the sacrifice to the ear, thumb and toe of the purified (Lev 14:17). Ibn Ezra explains that this act of purification is meant to remind the now-cured person to listen to the word of God and be deliberate in their deeds now that they have been given a second chance.

After more than a year in COVID quarantine, we know that we need each other and our communities more than ever. We are beginning to see each other live. We are talking about gathering in groups again. We have a second chance. We have the opportunity to decide what we want our community to look like now.  We get to decide how we will join together, how we will learn together, how we will continue to support each other. Let us be deliberate in our decisions and our deeds, let us reach for God and for each other, in our second chance. 

See you in person soon!