Leviticus 12:1–13,59; 2 Kings 4:42 – 5:18; Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem
Commentary:
In last week’s Torah portion we learned about clean and unclean animals, this week’s reading begins with, “when a woman gives birth (tazria).” When a child is born, it is the beginning of all things. Also, in this reading we are shown that purity standards were given and at a time when the children of Israel were in the desert. Included in this passage, were also the differences in giving birth to a boy and a girl.
Later we read about the leper (metzora), who was healed through true humility. A classic example we find is in our Torah portion on the prophets. In II Kings 5, we read about Naaman, a prideful Syrian General, who first needed a godly lesson of humility by dipping seven times in the dirty Jordan River. This is what the prophet Elisha commanded him to do, as it is written in Leviticus 14:7. Before he could be healed he had to immerse and cleanse himself, not only physically, but also spiritually. – That’s real Godly Healing.
Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) healed several lepers because he had the Healing power as the Son of God (Luke 17).
Jesus also commanded His disciples, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give” (Matthew 10:6-8).