Metzora 5784: Transforming Curses into Blessings

The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies Podcast Network

Can we uncover hidden blessings, even from within painful experiences? Join us this week as we delve into the profound purification rituals surrounding the mysterious affliction of tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy") in the weekly Torah portion of Metzora. In a riveting discussion, Rabbi Jon Leener challenges the conventional view of this condition as merely a punishment. Drawing from insightful Jewish sources, he illuminates the possibility that tzara'at may in fact be a divine wake-up call - an opportunity for spiritual growth and course-correction, rather than simply a curse. Grappling with timeless questions of suffering and meaning, we'll explore this compelling perspective. Credits: Rabbi Jon Leener - Pardes North America Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem