Seeing the Whole Person: The First Step Towards Healing

Rabbi Steven Wernick draws spiritual clarity from the Torah’s laws of tzara’at—often mistranslated as leprosy—highlighting how true healing begins when we see the whole person, not just their affliction. He reflects on Canada’s political and social landscape, urging us to withhold judgement, seek closeness over division, and practice the courage of empathy—reminding us that whether we are healing bodies or building community, we cannot heal what we refuse to see.
Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. November 2, 2024, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto, Canada.