TORAH → PARSHAH Issue 807 · April 22, 2020

Not so Simple

Why man’s status of purity can change, even if no other creature’s can

Not so Simple

 

“This will be the law of the metzora, on the day of his purification he should be brought to the Kohein.” (Vayikra 14:2)

 

Moreover, man’s impurity is more severe than other creations, even insects. Other living creations can transmit impurity only after death, but a person can transfer impurity to another person, or even an inanimate object, while he’s alive. (Rav Yosef Tzvi Salant, Be’er Yosef)

When you live in an apartment building, you get used to dealing with neighbors who are literally right on top of you. Each building has its own rhythm, dynamics, and bungalow-colony-type complications.

I got along great with some of my neighbors. Other relationships were more challenging, but we tried for friendly familiarity with all. After all, these people know a lot about what goes on behind your closed doors.

Years ago though, I had neighbors who defied the definition of neighborly. The Kvetches (name changed to protect me) seemed to have accepted upon themselves the mission of making everyone else miserable. They refused to pay building fees, had a rooster that habitually escaped their yard, and their kids were the type even the Israeli cats were afraid of.

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