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| Tazria: Man versus Mosquito |
Why does the Torah only discuss the laws of tahara (ritual
purity) in people after teaching the analogous laws concerning
animals, differentiating between those which may be eaten and those
which are unclean? Should not humanity, the crown of creation, come
first? Rabbi Simlai, a third-century scholar, explained: "Just as
man's formation took place after all animals ... so too, the laws
pertaining to him are set forth after the laws regarding animals."
(Vayikra Rabbah 14:1)
In short, the order here in Vayikra parallels the account of
creation in Bereishit. But what is the significance of this order?
The Midrash elaborates the implied moral lesson:
What sort of a contest is this, between Man and Mosquito?
Quantity versus Quality
We find in Tehillim two almost identical verses, but with small
(and significant) differences:
In other words, we may look at the world in two different ways. We
can be amazed by its detailed, multi-faceted nature — the multitude
of species and life-forms, the great variety in the world of
nature. This viewpoint focuses on the diverse physical aspect of
the universe. "The earth is full of Your creations".
Or, we may perceive the universe's inner side. We may contemplate
its infinite greatness and depth, a reflection of the profundity of
its design and purpose. This view perceives the underlying
spiritual nature of the universe, focusing on God's 'thoughts' that
preceded the physical creation. "Your thoughts are very profound."
Back and Front
The Midrash comparing man and mosquito opens with the verse, "You
formed me back and front". (Psalms 139:5) What does it mean that
humanity was formed "back and front"?
'Back' refers to the culmination of the world's physical
manifestation. This is the process of creation by contraction,
step-by-step, until the formation of a detailed, physical universe,
filled with multitudes of distinct creatures. From this viewpoint,
the ubiquitous mosquito is the superior species. If we do not merit
- if we lack our qualitative, spiritual advantage — then we are
told, 'the mosquito came before you'. In the contest of numerical
strength and survival skills, the mosquito wins hands down. From
the viewpoint of "How many are Your works", even the lowly mosquito
comes before us.
'Front', on the other hand, refers to the conceptual design that
preceded the actual physical creation. If we merit — if we put our
efforts into developing our spiritual side — then we belong to the
realm of God's thoughts that transcend the physical world. On the
qualitative basis of "How great are Your works", we may take our
place before all of creation.
(adapted from Shemuot HaRe'iyah 4)
Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison
"If a person merits, he is told, 'You came before all of creation'.
And if not, he is told, 'the mosquito came before you'."
What is the difference between these two similar verses? The first
verse expresses wonder at the variety and numerical magnitude of
God's works. "How many are Your works!" The second verse
expresses awe at their greatness and profundity. "How great
are your works!" The first verse refers to quantity; the second,
quality.