Keser Torah

THE PARASITES ARGUMENT

“This shall be the law (toras) of the metzorah” (14:2)

The commentators struggle to explain the rationale for the commandment requiring the leviyim to shave their hair. However, “the Torah of the metzora” teaches us that a ben Torah must be willing to be treated like an outcast. Even when he is derided for living a supposedly unproductive parasitic lifestyle, or pressurized to learn a trade, he should not let this make any impression on him. He must be willing to endure humiliation like a metzora and not let this affect his pride at being a soldier in Hashem's army. The kohanim also did not "work for a living" and owned no property. In fact, they were totally dependent on others for their livelihood. For basic food they received terumos, for meat zro’ah lechayayim and keivo, and reishis hagez for clothes. They were complete “shnorers”. One might have expected shevet levi, the elite of the nation, who were chosen for avodas hakodesh because they did not participate in the chet ho’egel, to have enjoyed a more respectable material status, but their main reward is set aside in the World to Come, and their material situation in this world is only for their benefit, allowing them as it does to dedicate themselves to ruchniyus and avodas Hashem.

The Rambam notes (at the end of Shmita Veyovel) that someone who dedicates his life to learning and avodas Hashem acquires the status of a levi and becomes kodesh kodoshim. His main reward is in the World to Come. As for this world, although he is assured that if he has the appropriate level of bitochon, he will not want for anything, there is no promise that his parnosso come honorably, and he may have to suffer disgrace and be taunted for scrounging off others. The possuk tells us that such is the Torah of the metzora, someone who wants to earn the Crown of Torah must be willing to suffer disgrace like a metzora, and the Torah becomes most entrenched amongst such people.

Ba’alei teshuva who have become bnei Torah, rejected by their families and treated as outcasts, should also be inspired by the knowledge that they are fulfilling the instruction of this possuk literally. By being willing to undergo such humiliation for the sake of Hashem and the merit of serving Him, they acquire the keser Torah, become close to Hashem and receive His blessings in the merit of their willingness to live like a metzora.

Based on droshos by Maran HaGaon Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita, raavad of Yerushalayim. To receive these weekly divrei Torah email benipray@netvision.net.il.