Tazria Metzora and Inner Light
Tazria Metzora is a Torah portion that deals with skin diseases and childbirth. It is a strange and somewhat gross Torah portion, universally dreaded by pre-Bnei Mitzvah students. It's full of boils, fungal infections, rashes, and sores sprouting hair, but it also contains a profound message about our inner light.
The Sfat Emet, a 19th-century Hasidic rabbi, interpreted the Torah portion as being about our inner light. He pointed out that the Hebrew word for "skin" (עור) is similar to the Hebrew word for "light" (אור). He argued that the Torah is not talking about physical skin diseases but about spiritual diseases that block our inner light.
We all have an inner light. It is our unique spark of divinity. It is what makes us special and unique. However, our inner light can be blocked by a variety of things, such as trauma, shame, or fear. When our inner light is blocked, we may feel lost, alone, and disconnected from the world.
So what can we do when something is blocking the flow of our inner light? One way is to engage in activities that help us connect with our true selves and with others. There are many things that we can do to cleanse ourselves and allow our inner light to shine again. These include:
Spending time in nature: Nature has a powerful way of calming and centering us. When we spend time in nature, we are surrounded by beauty and peace, which can help to open our hearts and minds.
Connecting with loved ones: Our relationships with our loved ones are essential for our well-being. When we feel connected to others, we feel supported and loved. This can help us feel more confident and secure, which can make it easier for us to shine our light.
Practicing mindfulness or meditation: Mindfulness and meditation are practices that can help us to focus on the present moment and to become more aware of our thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness or meditation can help us to let go of negative thoughts and emotions, which can block our inner light.
Doing acts of kindness: Acts of kindness are a great way to connect with others and make a positive difference in the world. When we do something kind for someone else, it makes us feel good, and it also makes the other person feel good. Acts of kindness can help boost our self-esteem and make us feel more connected to the world around us.
Expressing our creativity: Creativity is a way for us to express ourselves and connect with our inner selves. When we express ourselves creatively, we share our unique gifts with the world. This can help us to feel more confident and to shine our light.
Seeking professional help: If we are struggling to shine our light, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help us to understand the root of our problems and to develop strategies for coping with them. A therapist can also provide us with support and guidance as we work to heal and grow.
It is important to remember that we are all on a journey, and there will be times when our inner light is brighter than others. The key is not giving up on ourselves and to keep striving to be the best versions of ourselves.
When we shine our inner light, we make the world a brighter place. We inspire others to shine their own light, and we create a ripple effect of positive change. Let us all strive to shine our inner light and make the world a better place.
As I close, I invite you to marinate on these questions. What kinds of things -- experiences, relationships, encounters -- make you radiant? Can you feel it when your inner light is shining through? What does that feel like to you? What gets in the way of your inner light shining? When something is blocking the flow of that inner light, how do you cleanse yourself so that your light can shine again?
My EPK
I’m really putting myself out there more musically, and I’ve created an EPK (Electronic Press Kit). This is all new to me; in fact I didn’t even know what it was until a few months ago.
I literally just home from a potent therapy session, where we explored some aspects of self that block my ability to see my inner light - and then I read this post. SO POIGNANT!!! Ah thank you Rabbi for this reflection. Shabbat shalom.
This is beautiful. Very consistent with my Qigong practice. My breath is the bridge to my inner light portal. My teacher states that our inner healer is in a perpetual state of wellness, we just need to access her!