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We were taking a walk and
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as we were walking down the sidewalk we
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were approaching somebody
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and they, as they should have
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they moved way over the side to give us plenty of room
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as we walked by
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now ordinarily, stepping off the sidewalk as somebody approached
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could have been interpreted as a sign
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of great disrespect, even hostility
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but this time, as we were passing
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this person, they waved and gave us
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a friendly hello, and told us to
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have a good day, even more friendly, perhaps
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than they would have been at any ordinary time
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It strikes me that that's such a perfect metaphor
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for what's going on these days.
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It reminds me of a torah portion that
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in Judaism we call metzora
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which is usually translated as leprosy
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from the book of Leviticus in the Bible
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And according to the Torah if sometbody
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comes out with a scaly affliction on their skin
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they are supposed to go to the priest
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and if the priest diagnoses it with what in
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Hebrew is called mitzorah, leprosy
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then that person is isolated
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from the camp in order to preserve
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everybody's health.
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But it doesn't just end there
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because every week the priest is
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supposed to go and check on the person
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And when the person's affliction is healed
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there's an elaborate ritual to bring that person
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back into the camp.
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The two themes of that story
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are separation for the sake of health and
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connection at the same time
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And that my friends is just what is going on now
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These days we need to separate ourselves physically
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from one another in order that we all stay healthy
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But these days perhaps more than ever
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we need to check in one one another regularly
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and figure out how we can remain connected
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Separation and connection aren't just important these days
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but according to the Bible they are nothing short of holy.
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My friends, during this time of isolation
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and fear, again I send you blessings
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for all good things
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and with you all the best
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and most of all
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even though we're physically separated
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my prayer for you is that you can spiritually
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connect, connect with yourselves
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your loved ones, with one another
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and perhaps even, with God. Shalom.