The Gemara (Arachin 16a) notes that the spiritual affliction of tzara’as is not only a punishment for slander, but also for the sins of murder, taking a false oath, immorality, haughtiness, robbery and selfishness. The common denominator between these sins is a lack of sensitivity or regard for others.
When one notices what appears to be tzara’as on his home, clothes or skin, he is obligated to have it evaluated by a kohein. If the kohein surmises that it is indeed tzara’as, the metzora is temporarily expelled from his home and community, and must spend a specific amount of time in isolation. During that time he is to contemplate his mistreatment of his fellow man.
When the tzara’as is finally healed, the metzora must bring a korban along with various other specified materials to the Bais HaMikdash, including a crimson thread and hyssop.
“The kohein shall command; and for the person being purified there shall be taken two live, clean birds, cedar wood, crimson thread, and hyssop (14:4).” Rashi comments that the thread is wool dyed with a pigment made from a lowly creature, a type of insect or snail whose identity is unclear. Hyssop comes from a lowly bush. Thus, both ingredients symbolize the penitent’s newfound humility.
There is a notable difference between the symbolism of the hyssop and the crimson thread. Although the hyssop comes from a humble bush, it is above ground. The string of crimson wool, however, receives its color from an insect, which crawls beneath the earth. It would seem, then, that the crimson wool represents a more extreme level of humility than the hyssop. If so, why was it necessary for the penitent metzora to bring both materials; why couldn’t he just bring the crimson wool?
Rav Avrohom Shain, in Brichas Ish, explains that humility is a difficult character trait to master. By nature we crave attention and enjoy asserting our superiority above others. It entails a very healthy sense of internal self-worth and pride to reach a level where one does not feel the desire to advocate his merits and worthiness.
The crimson dye used for the metzora’s thread comes from a creature that lives underground. The insect is not stuffed into the ground, but goes there of its own volition. The crimson thread symbolizes to the metzora that he should not be seeking external glory and honor. He must build self-confidence until he no longer constantly needs the approval and accolades of others. However, even this great level of humility leaves something to be desired.
The lowly hyssop bush grows just a few inches above the ground. It is constantly trampled on by others, sways easily in the wind, and when it rains is forced to wallow in the mud surrounding it. The hyssop symbolizes to the metzora that true penitence will be achieved when he achieves the humility of the hyssop. It takes true humility for one to bear his degradation in silence, i.e., to be able to “grin and bear it.” The sins of the metzora, caused by conceit and an attitude of cavalier apathy, are rectified by his developing an unassuming nature, by reaching a level where he does not care about the negative comments of others.
Humility is not achieved when all is well and life is peachy but rather when times are trying and challenging. There are those who mistakenly think that humility includes self-abnegation and belittlement. What a tragic misunderstanding! In truth, the humble person has a strong appreciation of himself and thus does not need to promote himself and and is not shaken by hurtful comments. The truly humble person is not afraid to shoulder blame and admit his failures. It is this great level of humility which the metzora must strive for. When he achieves such a level of humility, he will no longer feel a need to say negative comments about others, or seek to asset his superiority over others.
