The Poor Kohen and the Strand of Hair

The Medrash Tanchuma (Parshas Tazria 6) cites a story about an impoverished kohen living in Eretz Yisrael. Trying whatever he could to support his family, he just couldn’t make ends meet. He decided to embark on a business trip abroad. Painful as the separation from his wife and children may be, he concluded that this was his only option. However, being a kohen, he was given a mandate by the Torah to rule on questions regarding tzaraas. People frequently would seek him out, and he would advise them of the halachic status of their afflictions. Leaving the populace without someone to rule on their tzaraas questions bothered him. The kohen realized that he needed to find a substitute. The thought crossed his mind that his wife would be the perfect replacement. He then proceeded to teach her the intricacies of the laws of tzaraas. One important element of the laws of tzaraas relates to the hair that grows in the middle of an affected patch of skin. The kohen explained to his wife that Hashem provides every strand of hair with a follicle that supports the growth of that strand. When the hair stops growing, it is clear that the hair’s source of growth, the follicle, has dried up. The wife responded to this fact by saying, “Listen to what you’re saying! Hashem provides every single strand of hair with a source of nourishment. You are a human being and have children who depend on you. Hashem will certainly provide support for you! There is no need to travel abroad!” Just like that, the international trip was canceled.