To tell the truth

Parshat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33)

By Rabbi Dov Fischer

URL: http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/to_tell_the_truth_20080411/

Parshat Acharey Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30)

The traditional English translation for the disease tzora'at that is eponymous with this week's Torah portion, Metzora, is "leprosy." However, as our commentators explain, biblical leprosy was something very different from the bacterial leprosy of modern times that is attributed to the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. Biblical leprosy traces to a different kind of disease, an infection permeating the spirit and the soul, the disease of lashon hara (or its Ashkenazic variant spelling, lashon hara): evil talk, tale bearing and gossip.

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Comments:	A friend has recommended you read the following from The Jewish Journal... To tell the truth Parshat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33) Parshat Acharey Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30) The traditional English translation for the disease tzora'at that is eponymous with this week's Torah portion, Metzora, is "leprosy." However, as our commentators explain, biblical leprosy was something very different from the bacterial leprosy of modern times that is attributed to the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. Biblical leprosy traces to a different kind of disease, an infection permeating the spirit and the soul, the disease of lashon hara (or its Ashkenazic variant spelling, lashon hara): evil talk, tale bearing and gossip. http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/to_tell_the_truth_20080411/ Sign up for our free email news alerts at http://www.jewishjournal.com/email.

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