Haftarah Tazria – Metzora

This week has double haftorah portions. In Tazria, General Naaman of King Aram’s army becomes
afflicted with tzara’at. A captive Israelite maid advises him to seek out the prophet Elisha in Samaria.
King Aram sends word to the King of Israel that Aram is on his way to be treated—this is not a friendly
message, but almost a threat; as in “treat my general…or else.” Elisha instructs Naaman to immerse
himself in the River Jordan, and though the general is deeply distrusting of this whole situation, he
finally does so, and is indeed cured. Naaman, in his gratitude, promptly promises not to serve any deity
besides Elisha’s G-d.

Of interest here, Naaman doesn’t convert per se–though he commits to allegiance to monotheism,
he isn’t trying to become Jewish out of gratitude. But this is perfectly acceptable, because we’re
led to believe he is agreeing to ascribe to the Seven Noahide Laws—which is pretty much the basic
prerequisite for [Read more…]