Cedar and Hyssop - Why Tzaraat Strikes the Arrogant

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Metzora 8:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And cedar wood" (Leviticus 14:4). This cedar—there is no tree taller than it; and because he exalted himself like the cedar, the tzaraat came upon him. For Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar said: On account of haughtiness of spirit the tzaraat comes, for so you find in the case of Uzziah, "And when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction, and he trespassed against the LORD his God; and in his rage with the priests, the tzaraat broke forth on his forehead" (II Chronicles 26:16, 19). "And hyssop"—among the trees there is none as low as the hyssop; because he humbled himself, therefore he is healed by means of hyssop.

Themes

Divine PunishmentRepentance

Biblical References

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