When does a disease bring its own cure with it? Rabbi Steven Nathan investigates the deeper meaning of the superficial ailments in Tazria and Metzora.

This story implicitly addresses the question, “Why does the Torah make such a fuss about skin lesions, of all things?” It is situated in the wilderness camp of the ancient Israelites. A girl discovers an odd lesion on her arm. Eventually this leads to a diagnosis of “tzaraat” and of her being declared impure. She is put into isolation outside the camp. As we accompany her along the way, we learn some spiritual lessons that the Torah may have intended for its ancient audience.