In this week’s Torah portion, we learn about tzora’as, the malady that serves as a wake-up call and/or retribution for various sins a person has committed. When the afflicted individual notices tell-tale splotches on his skin, he is required to show it to a Kohen (Priest), who upon examination, pronounces the person tamei (impure). The tzora’as sufferer is then required to separate himself from the community, to live alone outside the city limits for a week of reflection and repentance. The Kohen then conducts a further examination, looking for changes in the tzora’as. If appropriate changes appear, the Kohen pronounces the person healed and ready to rejoin society.

The commentaries wonder at the necessity of requiring a Kohen to make the pronouncements. Wouldn’t it be sufficient for the person to conduct a self-examination of the tzora’as and pronounce himself tamei or healed, as the case may be?

The Talmud tells us, “A person can easily identify deficiencies in character, except his own.” It’s so simple to spot the fault lines in the personalities of our dearest acquaintances. But me? I’m perfect!

The following revealing anecdote may seem all too familiar. Little Alex was caught cheating on his test. As his father, Ed, was administering his best speech on the virtues of honesty, the phone rang. “It’s your boss,” said his wife. “Tell him I’m not home,” whispered Ed, as he continued with his lecture.

The purpose of going to the Kohen is to humble ourselves under the scrutiny of a caring, loving mentor. The Kohen helps us identify areas of concern; he offers a personalized prescription for introspection and motivates us toward future personal growth.

May we all have the courage to recognize our strengths and weaknesses, to seek guidance from wise, caring mentors, and to refine our character so that we can reach our fullest moral and spiritual potential.