Why the Metzora Comes Alone to the Priest in Tanchuma

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Metzora 8:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And he shall be brought to the priest" (Leviticus 14:2). What is the meaning of "and he shall be brought"? "And he comes" — that is, he comes of himself. Why? Because everyone is distant from him, for thus David said: "My friends and my companions (have distanced themselves from me); they stand aloof from my affliction, and my kinsmen stand far off" (Psalms 38:12). And so it says: "He shall dwell alone; outside the camp shall be his dwelling" (Leviticus 13:46). Therefore it is stated "and he shall be brought" — "and he comes."

Themes

PriesthoodDavidWisdomHealingPsalms

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Sh'lachCaleb Silences the Spies While Moses and Aaron FalterWhen the spies returned and spilled their slander upon the Land, even the giants of Israel went quiet. Moses and Aaron, the stout-hearted of the verse in PsalmsSifrei DevarimWhy the Desert of Kadesh Trembles Twice in PsalmsA storm raging, the earth trembling... It's a primal feeling, isn't it? The Psalmist certainly understood it. Psalm 29 paints a vivid picture of G-d's voice thuPesikta RabbatiThere Is a Whole Bundle of Sages Here… And He said to him ‘go away to the land of Moriah and bring him up there for a burnt offering’ (Bereshit 22:2) What is the land of Moriah? There is a whole buMidrash AggadahTake Aaron - Chosen and Brought Near to Halt the PlagueScripture sings, "Happy is the one You choose and bring near" (Psalms 65:5). Some the Holy One chose yet let draw near on their own. Abraham was chosen but brouMidrash Tanchuma Buber, TzavAaron Doubly Blessed Both Chosen and Brought NearHear the secret folded into a single verse. When the LORD commanded Moses, "Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments," the Sages heard David singing aMidrash Tanchuma Buber, MetzoraSlander Kills Three - The Tongue of Death and Life in Metzora"This shall be the law of the leper", and the Maggid lifts his eyes, for the law of the leper is the law of the tongue. Solomon taught: "Death and life are in t