Parsha Mitzvot: Metzorah: Mitzvah 183 – Concept 436

“If she ceases her flow, she must count seven days for herself, and afterwards she can be purified. On the eighth day she shall take for herself two turtledoves or two young doves; she shall bring them to the Kohen, to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. The Kohen shall make one a sin-offering and one an elevation-offering; the Kohen shall provide atonement for her before God from her contaminating flow (Vayikra 15: 28-30).” A woman who had a running issue must bring an offering after she goes to the Mikvah (Rambam, Hilchot Mechusarei Kaparah – The Laws of Those Lacking Atonement).

The person who confronted her Attraction to Danger (See Mitzvah 182 – Concept 456) now has a new opportunity; she must achieve initial atonement, “The Kohen shall make one a sin-offering,” but then offers her something greater than she previously had, “and one an elevation-offering,” an opportunity to spiritually grow from her experience. It is only the person who is ready for “elevation,” who, “the Kohen shall provide atonement for her before God,” can achieve true atonement.

This Mitzvah/Concept is a lesson in Teshuva: True atonement is possible only for the person who deals with the sin, the “sin-offering,” and then ponders the “elevation-offering,” what can I do to grow?