Torah Readings
First Scroll
Leviticus 13:47-59/14:1-20 - Plague affecting persons and garments/Purification from plague
or
Leviticus 13:38-59/14:1-32
Second Scroll (for Rosh Chodesh)
Genesis 1:14-19 - Creation of the sun, moon and stars
Third Scroll (for Shabbat Atzma'ut)
Deuteronomy 11:8-12 - The Land of Israel
Haftarah Reading
Micah 4:1-13 - Zion's restoration and future glory
or
2 Kings 7:3-20 - Elisha heals during siege
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No fewer than three scrolls are read this week as we face our very last multi-reading Shabbat for quite some time thanks to the confluence of Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh for the start of the month of Iyar, and the Shabbat before Yom Ha'atzmaut - the Independence Day of the State of Israel.
In the era of COVID-19, Tazria-M'tzora has gone from a strange Torah portion to one of the most often cited thanks to its rules around how to manage the outbreak of a plague with quarantine and then how to reintegrate sufferers back into the camp.
Whilst this has been a nice text to turn to in a time of self-isolation and lockdowns, the comparisons do miss a key element of Tzaraat - the disease in question. Tzaraat, wrongly identified as leprosy by many, is not a typical physical disease. In fact, it is much more a spiritual disease, even though it manifests in physical signs. It is a punishment, according to sages throughout Jewish history, for a series of different sins.
A number of causes are identified for this disease in the Talmud, including pride and miserly behaviour, but the sin most often identified with Tzaraat is lashon ha'ra - evil speech, with gossip being one typical example - thanks to the emphasis placed here in a midrash. The division this type of gossip causes in a community is, according to Rashi, appropriately punished by forcible separation of the perpetrator from the community as a whole.
Physical separation during the pandemic has limited our opportunities for social contact - despite our efforts to maintain those connections. Our reading shows how the reintegration into physical community can be an opportunity for building better and healthier relationships with one another. Hopefully our return to in-person activities over the coming months will also be an opportunity to our communities to return, not as we were, but with more appreciation for the blessings we give to one another.
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Wednesday this week is Yom HaZikaron - the day of remembrance for those who have died in Israel in combat or as civilian casualties of terror attacks. This leads into Wednesday nigh and Thursday - Yom HaAtzmaut, the Israeli Independence Day. Reform Judaism, together with Liberal Judaism, is hosting an event of memorial and celebration for these two important dates in the Israeli calendar on Wednesday evening, which will include a number of contributors from the Israeli Reform Movement such as newly elected member of the Knesset, Rabbi Gilad Kariv. Click here for information and to register. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of our American counterparts at the Union of Reform Judaism, writes about the contrasts of these two days back-to-back and marking them this year in particular.
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Many of our communities are sharing their events and inviting you to join. Have a look at the listings on RJ Communities TV to see which events might appeal to you.
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We are offering safeguarding training sessions both for trustees and for designated safeguarding leads in June. Click here to find out more and to register.
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There are a couple of exciting job opportunities with Reform Judaism and RSY-Netzer being advertised right now to support the wellbeing of young people engaged in our activities. The first is for Wellbeing Officers for RSY-Netzer's various summer camps and events. These are short-term roles during the summer and are suitable for professionals with at least 3 years experience in a range of fields working with children. The other is a full-time job as Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer - helping to build a positive culture across our youth activities and supporting participation for those with additional needs. Click on the links for more information and to apply - and please pass the details on to anyone you think may be suitable. For all of us, the Mental Health Foundation has a page with information and advice about mental health as lockdown ends - read that here and make sure to look after yourself and your community during this period of change.
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