Cleansing

Leviticus 14:2 "This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest…

Leviticus 14:20 And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean.

 

Let us begin this double portion with discussing one of the main topics that seems to be woven throughout this passage: the concept of "cleansing." The meaning of this term is out-of-context for the native English speaker. We really have nothing in American or Western culture with which to connect the concept of "being clean" as it pertains to this section of Torah. In other words, we will have to accept the terms as they are without trying to relate it to our own experiences.

First, let us dispel the common English connotations of the meaning of "clean" and "cleanse."

1. I took a shower today; therefore I am "clean."
   
2. The doctor had to "cleanse" the wound before he could begin surgery."
   
3. Did you "clean" the dishes?
   
4. Jesus died so that He might "cleanse" us from our sins.
   

In the first sentence, "clean" is an adjective, and it describes the state of a person after having applied soap and water. The meaning is clear to us. The second example is a verb, and it implies a more medical connotation. The doctor must decrease the medical contaminants in order to reduce the risk of infection during a surgical procedure. The application here is quite literal. In the third sentence, we have the word "clean" in another verb usage. Here, the action of cleaning can be applied to objects, not just people or animals. Finally, the term "cleanse" here applies to a theological discussion which is common in Christian thinking. While it may sound like a nice thing to say, it may not be accurate according to the Torah usage.

The Hebrew term for "cleansing" is "Tahair." A term for a leper is "M'tzorah." A leper is the worst type of uncleanness that a person could experience. The question that one must ask is what is the purpose of the "cleansing" as discussed in the Torah?

Now, at the basic level of understanding, most people associate uncleanness with specific sins. For example, in traditional rabbinic literature, the "metzorah" is often connected to the concept of "lashon hara." I very recently read that the word "rah," the word for evil, is in both of these words: meztoRAH and lashon HARA. Lashon hara literally means "evil speaking." The rabbinic idea is that if a person is guilty of speaking evil against someone else, than one of the consequences might be the development of leprosy. One common story is found in Numbers 12:10 when Miriam becomes leprous for having spoken against Moses. As a result, the connection of "evil speaking" and "leprosy" are often linked within Judaism. During this time of year, it is certainly reasonable for each of us to reflect on whether or not we speak evil against others. If so, it certainly is a good time of year for us to repent of using evil words against others, whether to their face or behind their back, we should enter into repentance.

However, the more literal connection of the terms leper and cleansing has to with a connection to death. Leprosy was such a terrible disease that those who were lepers had to live in a separate colony or somewhere outside the camp, as was described by Torah. Now, some say that the leprosy of that era could not be medically described by our standards today. The descriptions of leprosy as discussed in Torah do not fit the descriptions of what doctors call leprosy today. They most likely are not the same disease at all. The leprosy of Torah implies that the leper, the metzorah, as regarded as "the walking dead." Thus, being cleansed from leprosy, thus carried the connotation of having returned from death, or being resurrected.

Leviticus 14 outlines what the leper was to do in order to become clean. The leper was to bring two turtledoves (live clean birds) on the first day, and then three different lambs in order to be sacrificed for the eighth day. Also, cedar wood, hyssop, and a scarlet thread are brought with the living bird. One of the living birds is sacrificed, and then the living bird is dipped in the blood of the first one, along with the three other elements. Rashi says that this twittering bird was to remind the metzorah that it was his or her chattering that caused the leprosy in the first place, so this is why a bird was chosen. However, this really doesn't get at the heart of the matter regarding the process for which the living dead person is going to be brought back to life. There is something to the idea that death of the one bird brings about the freedom for the other bird. As to the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the red string, there is a significance which can be discussed at a later time, along with the concept of the red heifer. These three things were used during this ceremony as well.

Once the leper has performed these actions outside the camp, then the leper shaves, and then is allowed to come back into the camp, but only to stay for a week outside of his tent. He is to bathe and to shave off all of his hair. Now, there is certainly the idea of being clean which includes the simple concept of the state of not being physically dirty. The application for this ceremony must be seen as both practical, but also spiritual.

On the eighth day, the man is allowed to bring three offerings up to the tabernacle: First, two male lambs and one female lamb is brought. Consider the implications from the meaning of these three lambs. The first lamb is a male, and it is brought as a guilt-offering. Remember, the guilt offering is not a sin offering, it is an offering brought for the sake of one's conscience. We often must deal with the guilt of a sin prior to dealing with the sin itself. The blood of this lamb and a mixture of oil is put onto the right ear, the right thumb, and the right big toe of the former metzorah. Just as Moses did this at the initiation of Aaron into priesthood, so too is this done, to initiate the person back into life. The second offering is the sin offering, which provides the atonement. Finally, the last lamb is brought as a free-will/elevation offering, in order to reestablish that lost fellowship in drawing near to G-d. At this point, the leper has now been cleansed.

Here is the important concept that one must add to the concept of "clean." It is not that outward appearance that makes one clean. (However, if one does not have any hygiene, it would be interesting to describe this person's relationship with G-d.) There is a certain truth to cleanliness is next to godliness. But what is important to note is that in order to approach G-d, we must be clean within our lives. In order to draw near to G-d, we need to let go of certain kinds of things that are related to death within our lives. What is it that causes you to live as a "walking-dead" within your work week? Does your job depress you? Either get a new job, or find out why it is that G-d has placed you in that workplace. Are there difficulties within your family? If you are not clean, you are going to have a difficult time approaching G-d to deal with the problem. We all carry around things and ideas that lead to death, or we have been touched by those around us who have in turn touched death. The concept of clean and unclean does not apply in the American context. But if we know that we are in a bad place in our lives, why not consider the offerings brought by the leper: Make an offering to deal with your guilt, your conscience. Then, our trust in Yeshua as the ultimate sin offering should bring about within us an attitude of humility and gratitude for what He accomplished for our personal lives. We should thank Him regularly. And if you are reading this, and you have never accepted Yeshua as the Messiah of Israel, nor have you allowed Him to be the L-rd of your life, then there is no better time to receive the sacrifice made by Yeshua. Just pray and ask Him to forgive you of your sin. And then, the final offering can be brought: the free will offering, where the once leprous person has been fully restored to the people of G-d, and the leper can draw near to G-d and be in fellowship with Him.

We may not all exhibit the outward signs of leprosy, but we know that inside, we go through times where we feel like the walking dead. So, during this particular time, you can be invited to bring your offerings to G-d--read to Torah, sing praises to Him, pray—and renew your relationship with the G-d of the Universe! Let the L-rd cleanse you, and be clean!