Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh: A Short Inspiration from Parashat Metzora

"And the priest shall command, and they shall empty the house, before the priest goes in to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean; and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house" (Leviticus 14:36).

According to Ohr Hachaim, the phrase "all that is in the house" teaches that everything in the house will not become impure if it is removed before the priest's visit. The verse emphasizes that Hashem cares even for the simple and low-value possessions of the Israelites.

All that is in the house. Meaning, all that is in the house will not become impure; save everything, even small vessels, because Hashem cares even for the despised wealth of Israel".

Ohr Hachaim explains how we learn that Hashem cares for the despised wealth of Israel and raises an interesting question: Why does Hashem command to clear the house's contents before the priest's arrival? After all, the house does not become impure as soon as the priest sees the plague, but only after the priest leaves the house and quarantines it. Thus, it seems possible to remove the items also after the priest comes, and before he quarantines the house.

"In this, the scripture gave a reason for why Hashem commanded to clear beforehand: even after the priest comes and sees the plague, the house is not impure until the priest goes out and quarantines it. Therefore, there is no need to clear beforehand; it could be done after the priest arrives, before he quarantines".

Hashem Cares for the Wealth of Israel

When the priest sees the plague, he must not delay in quarantining the house. In other words, the moment he identifies tzara'at, he must quarantine the house immediately. If they were to wait until that moment to remove the items, people would rush the evacuation (to avoid delaying the priest), and in this haste, they might forget small or less important items.

Therefore, Hashem insisted that the evacuation be done before the priest's arrival, so that it is done thoughtfully, ensuring "all that is in the house will not become unclean" — meaning nothing is left in the house to become impure.

"Therefore, it says and all that etc. will not become impure, meaning, because when the priest sees the plague, he must quarantine it without delay. As a result, they would rush to clear it and, in their haste, forget despised wealth. For this reason, Hashem insisted on clearing it beforehand, ensuring that nothing in the house becomes unclean".

Ohr Hachaim notes that the sages (in Tractate Negaim and Sifra) said that Hashem cares only for earthenware vessels, because other vessels and garments can be purified in a mikveh, while earthenware has no purification in a mikveh.

Ohr Hachaim adds to their words: Hashem cares even for small earthenware vessels that a person typically does not consider. This shows Hashem's great compassion, even for the less valued possessions of the people of Israel.

"And our sages said (Negaim 12:5, and in Sifra) that Hashem cared only for earthenware because other vessels and garments have a remedy in the mikveh. According to our explanation, we add to interpret that Hashem cares even for small earthenware vessels that a person does not typically consider".

Ohr Hachaim's explanation highlights Hashem's compassion and concern for Israel's possessions, even those considered lesser value. The command to clear the house before the priest's arrival ensures they can do so without rushing, so that not a single item, even the smallest, is missed.

Rabbi Yigal Cohen - Hashem is here for you, just ask. Watch