This Shabbat, we will read from the double portion of Tazria-Metzora, a parasha intensely focused on health, illness and the medical ’intervention’ of the priests.
We have to work quite hard to extrapolate these chapters into our contemporary world, where medical care, at least for us, is readily, (if not immediately) available.
However, this year I understand them better. We bring these moments of frailty into our synagogue life. Attending and accompanying those who are unwell is a central part of my role as rabbi. Each week, we think of them in our prayer for those unwell within FPS. It matters enormously that we know who is unwell and who needs support, as well as those whom do we need to mention communally; they are in our hearts and minds. This is how community can operate at its best.
So, far from feeling frustrated by Tazria-Metzora and its squeamish attention to detail, I welcome it as a reminder of how we bring our full selves into congregation – our physicality as well as our intellect.
It was Susan Sontag who wrote about the land of the sick and the land of the well. Until you have experienced illness, you don’t know about the other land that exists in parallel.
“Illness is the night side of life, a more onerous citizenship. Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship, in the kingdom of the well and in the kingdom of the sick. Although we all prefer to use the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place.” (Illness as Metaphor 1978)
Many of us have entered that land for ourselves or with those we love.
Torah reminds us this week that everything is connected. Those offerings of turtle doves or young goats that were commanded after healing were just an ancient expression of relief and gratitude for recovery and safety. When we offer the blessing of gommel – of recovery and safety – we are reminded of this.
I thought about this a great deal on our sponsored Walk Home last Saturday evening. Many of those who walked have recovered from illness and accidents and life changing experiences. The decision to share all of that with the community was absolutely joyful, an expression of life together and our appreciation of FPS as a congregation. It was a wonderful (and gruelling) 8 hours. My feet can attest to that.
But the force and enthusiasm for community powered us through. We raised much needed funds for which I am so appreciative to generous congregants and we raised our spirits. Thank you all.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca
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