In the double portion of Tazria-Metzora, we encounter the laws of tzara’at, an affliction often misunderstood as leprosy but recognized by the rabbinic Sages as a physical manifestation of a spiritual rot, primarily lashon hara (evil speech) and the breakdown of communal ethics. When a person was diagnosed with tzara’at, they were commanded to dwell “outside the camp”. In the Rabbis’ imagination, this his was not merely to prevent physical contagion, but to force a period of isolation when the individual could reflect on the negative consequences of their speech or actions, and how those actions had led to the rupture of their relationships with the community and with the Divine.

Today, as we look at the hills of the West Bank, we see a different kind of “rot” manifesting on the land. In just the first three months of 2026, settler violence has reached unprecedented levels, with organizations like Save the Children reporting that ten times more Palestinian children have been displaced compared to the average of the previous three years.[1] This is not a “fringe” phenomenon; it is a systemic ailment. Just as tzara’at could infect the very walls of a house (Leviticus 14:34), we see reports of coordinated arson attacks on homes and vehicles in villages (e.g. Deir al-Hatab[2] and Silat al-Dhahr and others[3]). There is nothing “isolated” about the acts of violence perpetrated by the radical settler nationalists.

A central theme of these parashiyot is the vulnerability of the body. In fact, the opening verses of Parashat Tazria discuss the spiritual power of childbirth (Leviticus 12:1-8). In contrast to the reverence for bringing children into the world that we see in the Torah, the current reality in the West Bank is one where even children are under siege. Within the last week alone, reports from one village detailed how settlers installed coiled barbed wire to block Palestinian children’s path to school. When these children and their parents protested, they were met with tear gas.[4] Where is the reverence for life and respect for childhood among these settlers, our fellow Jews, many of whom claim to be living “Torah-true Judaism”?

One of the lessons of our Torah reading this week is that we must not be silent in the face of a spiritual malady. The Torah demands that the metzora (the afflicted one) themselves cry out, “Impure! Impure!” to warn others (Leviticus 13:45). Would that the perpetrators of attacks on Palestinian villagers recognize that they are affected by a terrible illness, a blindness to humanity and reason. But no. Instead, today, the cry is coming from the victims and observers who see the reality clearly. On April 16, 2026, hundreds of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square to protest this escalating violence, marking the first large-scale demonstration specifically targeting settler attacks.[5] They are crying out that the impunity granted to these “militias”—thugs who often act with the backing of security forces—is a stain on the moral fabric of the state. To the extent that you and I love Israel and advocate for Israel, we must recognize that all is not well with the Jewish State. We must cry out, “Impure! Impure!”

In the biblical text, the Kohen (Priest) acts as the witness and the judge. He must physically see the affected individual, look at the lesion, and declare its status. Only then can the Kohen prescribe the actions necessary for the person to heal so they can ultimately rejoin the community. What do we learn from this? We cannot heal what we refuse to see.

Recent events have shown a dangerous trend toward blindness.

• Reports from the Israeli government watchdog Yesh Din indicate that over 370 incidents of settler violence occurred in just a 40-day period during recent hostilities.[6] It is not an accident that there has been a surge of incidents in recent weeks: the media’s attention is focused on the war in Iran and Lebanon. The settlers know the world is not paying attention to their crimes. The violence surged during the war in Gaza after October 7^th for the same reason, at least in part.
• On April 11, 2026, a 23-year-old Palestinian man, Ali Majed Hamadneh, was killed during a settler raid on the village of Deir Jarir.[7] The details of what happened are not clear, but the IDF’s early assessment of a riot essentially instigated by Palestinian villagers strains credibility.
• Former security chiefs and international observers have warned of “government-sponsored Jewish terrorism” running wild, as new laws facilitate land takeovers with minimal oversight. According to a report in The Times of Israel:

“Last week, 22 former security chiefs signed a letter warning about such violence, referring to “an extremist group, backed by irresponsible ministers and enabled by the silence of a prime minister.”

“The rampant Jewish terrorism in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], carried out under governmental auspices, is not only a moral disgrace but also a severe strategic blow to Israel’s national security,” the former officials wrote.[8]

Later in the Torah portion, we learn something about our biblical ancestors’ concern for human property and human dignity. When “something like a plague appeared upon” someone’s house, before the Kohen enters the house to inspect the walls, his first duty is to order the house emptied before he declares it impure. He does so to save the belongings from becoming impure (Leviticus 14:36). Even in the home’s possible state of impurity, the Kohen has people around him go to great lengths to protect the contents of the house. In contrast, settler terrorists show no concern for the property of villagers nor for the villagers’ dignity. Current reports describe a strategy of “maximum territory with minimum Arabs,” where violence is used as a tool for forced displacement and annexation.[9]

The Path to Purification

The ritual for purifying the metzora involves two birds: one is sacrificed, and the other is set free to fly over the open fields (Leviticus 14:4-7). This symbolizes the release of the negative impulses that led to the affliction.

To “purify” our current situation, we must move beyond verbal condemnation toward active accountability.

1. Breaking the Silence: We must follow the lead of the ten settler rabbis who recently warned against “violence of any sort,” insisting that Jewish values cannot be used to justify terror.[10]
2. Upholding the Law: We must demand that the “era of impunity” end. Just as the Kohen must follow a strict legal process to diagnose tzara’at, the state must enforce the law against those who commit these crimes.
3. Protecting the Vulnerable: Our Torah begins with the miracle of life in Tazria. We must ensure that the “path of fear” for children in the West Bank is replaced by a path to education and dignity.

What does this mean for us in the Diaspora? How do those of us outside Israel speak up, hold lawmakers, the military, and the settler terrorists accountable? How can we be involved in protecting the vulnerable? These are essential questions that I cannot address adequately in this devar Torah, nor do I have ready answers to these questions. Our task is to be thoughtful in discerning how we might rise to this occasion and take action that will make a difference.

In our Torah reading, the metzora is eventually brought back into the camp, but only after they have truly changed. After they have done teshuvah, repentance through change. As we read these portions, let us remember that the land itself is sensitive to our moral conduct. Indeed, the Torah is replete with references to the land rejecting and ejecting Israel if Israel does not follow God’s commands. If we allow the “plague” of settler violence to spread unchecked, we risk the spiritual health of the State of Israel and the Jewish People more broadly. May we have the courage of the Kohen to look at the wound, name it, and begin the difficult work of purification.

Personal statement: This devar Torah was written with assistance from Google’s Gemini 3 AI platform based on my prompts to highlight lessons from Parashat Tazria-Metzora that will allow us to understand and respond to settler violence as a spiritual malady among the Jewish People. I have edited the AI response for accuracy and clarity, added my own words and views, and included footnotes to authenticate factual assertions. The views herein are either my own or accurately reflect my current thinking.

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[1] “685 children were displaced in the first three months of 2026, compared to an average of 63 across the same period in the three previous years. A total of 122 children were displaced in the first three months of 2025, 17 in 2024, 51 in 2023.” https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/west-bank-rising-settler-violence-forces-10-times-more-children-their-homes-2026. Accessed April 17, 2026

[2] https://www.timesofisrael.com/death-of-atv-driver-unleashes-new-outburst-of-settler-attacks-on-palestinians/. Accessed April 17, 2026.

[3] https://www.haaretz.com/west-bank/2026-03-22/ty-article/.premium/settlers-set-fire-to-buildings-vehicles-across-west-bank-in-saturday-attacks/0000019d-1438-d210-abbf-77bd99500000. Accessed April 17, 2026.

[4] “Israeli settlers block Palestinian students’ path to West Bank school with barbed wire”. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-893285. Accessed April 17, 2026.

[5] “’Stop Settler Terror’: Hundreds of Jews and Arabs Rally in Tel Aviv Against West Bank Attacks“. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-04-16/ty-article/.premium/stop-settler-terror-israelis-and-palestinians-rally-against-west-bank-attacks/0000019d-96e1-d9bd-abfd-ffe5bd2a0000. Accessed April 17, 2026.

[6] “378 incidents of settler violence in West Bank over 40 days of Iran war, left-wing group reports”. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/378-incidents-of-settler-violence-in-west-bank-over-40-days-of-iran-war-left-wing-group-reports/. Accessed April 17, 2026.

[7] “Reservist soldier fatally shoots Palestinian amid alleged rock-throwing near Ramallah”. https://www.timesofisrael.com/reservist-soldier-fatally-shoots-palestinian-amid-alleged-rock-throwing-near-ramallah/. Accessed April 17, 2026.

[8] Ibid.

[9] “Maximum Territory with Minimum Arabs: How Israel’s Far-Right Government Uses Settler Violence to Pave the Way for Annexation”. https://jstreet.org/maximum-territory-with-minimum-arabs-how-israels-far-right-government-uses-settler-violence-to-pave-the-way-for-annexation/#:~:text=Organized%20attacks%20by%20armed%20settlers,maximum%20territory%20with%20minimum%20Arabs.%E2%80%9D. Accessed April 17, 2026.

[10] “10 settler rabbis warn against ‘violence of any sort,’ amid attacks on Palestinians”. https://www.timesofisrael.com/settler-rabbis-warn-against-violence-of-any-sort-amid-attacks-on-palestinians/#:~:text=10%20settler%20rabbis%20warn%20against,settlers%2C%20endangering%20project%20at%20large. Accessed April 17, 2026.