We say we want things simple, but do we? If we are honest, we prefer a little bit of ceremony. Proms and proposals, weddings and gender reveal parties require a big hoopty-doo. If religion is involved, we want plenty of excitement. We like a full-fledged band up front. We want a choir to sing like angels, sermons that move us to tears, and plenty of pomp and circumstance. Bring on the incense and the fancy robes so I can feel “churched.”
If we’ve done something wrong and seek forgiveness, we also want something more than a simple pardon. We seem to need a few hoops to jump through, specific prayers to say, maybe a baptism–again–so we can really know we are forgiven. Less than that and our brain is going to take us back to that moment again and again as we plead for God to forgive or give us something to do so we will feel more forgiven. I imagine He’s sitting on His throne listening to our plea again and saying, “You did what?” because He’s forgiven and forgotten long ago.
Medically we also need to have things to do–pills to take, tests to run, maybe surgery. Oftentimes, that’s what is needed, but where are the doctors who say, let’s get you on an exercise program and better diet and that should clear up your high blood pressure or cholesterol. That’s too simple. Too obvious. We want fancy–and expensive.
We say we like it simple, but more often it seems we need more than that. Frankly, that need people have to experience a physical manifestation of a spiritual thing is what led God to allow sacrifice. He didn’t need the meat or the grain, the altars and fires, the people did. He was glad to oblige if that would make them feel a bit better but all that ceremony was not really necessary. Perhaps that’s why He said there was no sacrifice for intentional sin. You have to work it out with Him. You may be required to live with the consequence, but the restoration of your relationship with Him requires no burnt offerings.
In this week’s haftarah for Tazria, we have the story of Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was highly respected and fought for victory many times. However, he was struck with leprosy, that tzaarat we talked about in the parashah.
When his army was raiding Israel, the soldiers carried off a young girl who became an attendant to Naaman’s wife. She knew about his condition and said to his wife,
“I wish Master could come before the prophet in Samaria; he would cure him of his leprosy.”
II Kings 5:3
Naaman was hopeful again for a cure and went to the king proposing he be allowed to travel to Israel and find the prophet who could help him. The king wrote a letter for him to give to the king of Israel that said:
“Now, when this letter reaches you, know that I have sent my courtier Naaman to you, that you may cure him of his leprosy.”
II Kings 5:6
The king of Israel was shocked and thought that the king of Aram was sending Naaman as a pretext against him. He was concerned that Naaman was a Trojan horse sent to attack Israel and he rent his clothes over it. However, Elisha, the man of God, heard about the situation and asked the king to send Naaman to him so that the commander might “learn that there is a prophet in Israel.” (vs. 8)
That’s how Naaman came to arrive at Elisha’s front door. Elisha sent a messenger out to tell Naaman to bathe seven times in the Jordan and his flesh would be restored.
Naaman was angry, insulted that he might have come such a long way and the prophet wouldn’t even see him. He expected there to be a little more pomp and circumstance. Elisha should wave his hand over the affected parts and invoke the name of God, say some magic words or cast a spell. Some sort of ceremony needed to occur. Naaman fumed that he could have stayed home and bathed in the Amanah or Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, if that’s all it took. What was so special about the waters of Israel?
He was enraged and ready to leave when his servants came forward and advised:
Sir, if the prophet told you to do something difficult, would you not do it? How much more when he has only said to you, ‘Bathe and be pure.'”
II Kings 5:13
With what was surely trepidation, Naaman went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times. Immediately his flesh became like a young boy’s. He returned to Elisha with his entire entourage and said, “Now I know that there is no God in the whole world except in Israel!” (vs. 15). He offered gifts to the prophet who refused to accept any payment. That’s when Naaman asked that two mule-loads of earth be given to him so that he might take it back to Aram as a foundation for an altar so he could offer sacrifices to the God of Israel. Elisha’s response was “Go in peace.”
What does it take to get us to turn back to God? We have all sorts of ceremonies accepting people into the church. Heck, converting to Judaism was not an easy task. It wasn’t a matter of moving your membership from one place to another. It was a couple of years of study, books to read, a paper to write (and rewrite and explain to the rabbi). It was appearing before a bet din, a group of three rabbis, to answer their questions as to why we wanted to convert and then immersing in the mikvah and saying the prescribed prayers.
You know, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, a pagan priest in Midian, converted when he heard what God had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He said, “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods” and then “brought a burnt offering and sacrifice to God.” (Exodus 18:8-12). That was it. He said exactly what Naaman said: “Now I know” “yadati.” No ceremony. No burnt offerings, just a simple declaration.
The conversion process was invented by the rabbis. It’s not something you find in Torah. The only requirement there is for someone to announce that they recognize the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the one true God. We often look for something more to make us feel forgiven or connected to God. He tells us through the story of Naaman, that it’s a matter of saying what you believe and then doing what God commands. That’s it. Nothing more. No hoopty-doo required. As I’ve said before, just start walking in His ways.
Consider the story of Naaman as you go about your day. Remember, that simple is often best. Say it with your mouth, but then make it happen with your hands and your feet. It really is that easy.
I Am My Father's Daughter 