He shall shave off all his hair-his head, his beard, and his eyebrows. (Lev. 14:9)
The plagues that are mentioned in this week's Torah portions came as punishment for three things: haughtiness, gossip, and jealousy. Therefore, the cleansing process for one afflicted with leprosy was done in the following order: First, the hair on the head was shaved off, because the person's excessive pride caused him to desire to be above others; second, the hair of the beard was removed, because he did not control his mouth and spoke slanderously against his fellow man; and third, the eyebrows were shaved off, as they did not prevent his eyes from looking narrowly and with avarice at the possessions of others. (Klai Yakar)
The priest will command him to take... cedar wood, and a string of scarlet yarn, and hyssop (Lev. 14:4)
The great commentator Rashi explains: These plagues come to punish excessive pride. How does one atone for this and become well? By humbling himself like the above inanimate objects.
The Kotzker Rebbe once remarked: Our rabbis have always emphasized that the performance of mitzvot (commandments) requires proper devotions. Indeed, when mitzvot are performed with the proper intentions, their worth is immeasurable. However, there is one mitzva which cannot be performed for its own sake: humility. If you are trying to be humble, it is really just a form of pride.
But if he be poor, and his means do not suffice... (Lev. 14:21)
The reason that it is permissible for a poor man to bring a smaller offering than a wealthy man, is that his poverty itself is an atonement, and through it he is cleansed of his sin. (Tchelet Mordechai)
Reprinted from the Tazria-Metzora 5762/2002 edition of L’Chaim.
