The Hyssop and the Cedar

Torah Thoughts on Parshas Tazria-Metzora by Rabbi Mordechai Millunchick

"וְצִוָה הַכֹּהֵן וְלָקַח לַמִטַהֵר שְׁתֵּי צִפֳּרִים חַיוֹת טְהֹרוֹת וְעֵץ אֶרֶז וּשְׁנִי תוֹלַעַת וְאֵזֹב"  וַיִקְרָא י''ד:ד'

“The Kohen shall command to take, for the person being purified, two live pure birds, cedar wood, a crimson thread, and hyssop.” Vayikra 14:4

The affliction called tzara’as is not of physical origin. One of the most common reasons that a person would be afflicted with tzara’as is haughtiness and related transgressions, such as leshon hara. (see Arachin 16a) For this reason, the person who is now purifying himself from tzara’as brings crimson thread and hyssop as part of his korban. Crimson thread is made from a worm, a lowly creature, and hyssop is a short and spindly shrub. Both of these items represent the correct mindset that the person should have – humility. It is, therefore, puzzling why the former tzarua must also bring a piece of cedar wood. The cedar is one of the tallest trees. Is this not a symbol of pride?

The Yalkut Shimoni asks this exact question: “Why does the metzora need to purify himself using specimens of plants which are from both the highest of the high and the lowest of the low, with cedar wood and hyssop? The answer is that since this person raised himself like a cedar, he is afflicted with tzara’as, and when he lowers himself like the hyssop he is healed with hyssop.”

Rav Moshe Shternbuch writes that it is not enough for a person to lower himself; he must also raise up other people. The Chiddushei HaRim points out a proviso here: While a person must be careful not to become haughty, and should constantly act with humility, there are situations in life when haughtiness is necessary, even demanded of us. This is what the cedar is hinting at. A person must always be cognizant of his emotions, and also of the varying situations he is in. While a certain approach may be needed in most cases, one must remember not to become monolithic and apply the same rule to every situation. Humility is one of the three basic Jewish traits (see Yevamos 78b), but while one must shun his own honor, he must be careful always to honor his friends properly.

---

Rabbi Mordechai Millunchick (FYHS 1997) earned an HTC Bachelor’s Degree in Jewish Studies (2001) and received Semichah in  2005. He learned in the Bellows Kollel for a number of years, subsequently learning in the Skokie Community Kollel and Kollel Avreichei Chicago. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Congregation Adas Yeshurun. Rabbi Millunchick has authored and edited a number of sefarim and Torah books, including the Midarkai series on Techum Shabbos, Tumas Kohanim, Trees, Pidyon Haben and Ketores.