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Summary:

The focus of Tazria is: highly contagious, life-threatening illnesses. The priestly tribe of Cohen was charged with the duty of diagnosing a lethal disease known in Hebrew as “Tzaraat” (which is extinct today) and overseeing the seclusion of the diseased individual, lest he/she infect others.  The Torah’s underlying message here is: The duties of the priestly tribe of Cohen encompassed more than ritual and worship.  The priests were clearly charged with the duty of overseeing the physical health of the people as well their spiritual health.

The focus of Metzora is: the rituals that celebrate a person’s recovery from life-threatening illness.  "…The Cohen shall repeatedly visit the patient who has been quarantined outside the Israelite camp...” And if the Cohen determines that the patient has fully recovered, the latter would undergo a highly emotional ritual of revival. The ritual, overseen by the Cohen, climaxed with the patient’s symbolic rebirth in a pool of “living” water – a "Mikveh".

The underlying message conveyed by this Torah reading is: If G-d grants one a new lease on life - it behooves him/her to acknowledge it, and thank God.  After all, isn’t the miracle of healing and recovery an act of  divine kindness? 

Shabbat Shalom,  

Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus