We may suggest that this is because it is the furthest from the body and the least influenced by it. The ear is the most easily affected by bad influences from outside. One should not allow one's ears to hear wasted words, because it is the most easily "scalded" of all the limbs. Additionally, we find support for the idea that the ear is in some way more physical than the rest of the body in the following Chazal: The extremities are, after all, the most visible to the outside world.
In symbolic terms, they are also the most distant spiritually from the aims of the person, the most external in our context and the least imbued with the private nature that the kohen must personify. In physical terms, the hands and feet are furthest from the center of the body they receive blood only after all the other parts of the body. As such, the service performed to make them into functioning kohanim needed to imbue them with their new nature. The essential difference between the kohanim and the rest of klal Yisrael was, as we have seen, that the focus of the kohanim was more inward. The ceremony that was required had to reflect this fact. But when God singled them out to perform His service in the Mishkan, they were in some way recreated with that function in mind. Until then, the kohanim had been much like the other members of the nation. The induction ceremony for the kohanim, which is described in Parshas Tetzaveh, elevated them above the rest of klal Yisrael for all time. One could say that if klal Yisrael are the world experts in this field, then the kohanim are the experts among the experts. Although in comparison to the other nations of the world, klal Yisrael are very much focused away from the external trappings of life and toward the private aspects of existence, the kohanim are even more directed toward this mind-set. His focus in life is on the concealed, internal aspects of spiritual development. We have already discussed the great spiritual advantages possessed by the kohen. We will consider the meaning that may lie behind it. This law, of the application of blood and oil to the ear, thumb, and big toe of the owner of the offering, appears in only one other place: the investiture of the kohanim in Parshas Tetzaveh. (Vayikra 14:14)įrom the leftover oil which is in his hand, the kohen shall apply it to the cartilage of the right ear of the one coming to be purified, and on his right thumb and his right big toe, on top of the blood of the asham. The kohen shall take some of the blood of the asham, and the kohen shall apply it to the cartilage of the right ear of the one coming to be purified, and on his right thumb and his right big toe. Let us note an interesting requirement of these offerings: The leper must bring three different offerings: a chatas (sin offering), an olah (burnt offering), and an asham (guilt offering). In Parshas Metzora, we learn of the purification procedure for the leper whose symptoms have vanished. As we shall see, this was visited upon him for a particular reason.
Read Alex’s report here, and watch this video to learn more:Īiden’s story has drawn attention from media locally (watch WOOD-TV’s report here) and around the world, including India and the United Kingdom.įor more on Mary Free Bed’s Hand Therapy program, click here.In Parshios Tazria and Metzora, in which we learned of the metzora - a person who contracts a specific type of skin disease, perhaps leprosy or psoriasis. Greenville Daily News sports editor Alex Freeman wrote a story about Aiden, a multi-sport athlete, after he clinched the state title in skeet shooting. “I want (people) to see that, yes, there are bumps in the road, there are hard times … but anything’s possible,” said Aiden, who’s named his new digit “Wilbur,” after the pig in the children’s novel, “Charlotte’s Web.” “It’s one of my little piggies.” He spent months in Mary Free Bed’s Hand Therapy Program, working with occupational therapist Kelly Nye to strengthen his new thumb and restore as much function as possible. Four months after the accident, doctors at University of Michigan Hospital replaced the missing thumb by transplanting the index toe from his left foot. While he adapted and excelled without his thumb, Aiden decided to try a transplant. Unable to find it, doctors repaired the wound, and Aiden went about his life, getting ready to graduate from Carson City-Crystal High School and competing on its clay target team. Home / Thumbs up: Teen recovers from toe-to-thumb transplant with help from Mary Free Bed’s Hand Therapy Program Posted on DecemThumbs up: Teen recovers from toe-to-thumb transplant with help from Mary Free Bed’s Hand Therapy ProgramĪiden Adkins was using a woodworking saw to create a gift as a prom proposal to his girlfriend when he accidentally cut off his thumb.