Symbolism

I cannot help but believe the ceremonial cleansing discussed in today's OYCB reading is all symbolism.

It starts with the ceremonial cleansing of a woman after childbirth.  The protocol for such cleansing clearly distinguishes between male and female.  Proponents of Equal Rights in particular will ultimately find this symbolism disturbing and unacceptable.

Then today's reading goes on to lay out the ceremonial protocol for cleansing from skin diseases.  I am no scientist or chemist, but I could only assume there is no way the processes described today even come close to any type of medical remedy for the problem of these skin diseases.  I also find it interesting that there is neither recommendation for, nor even mention of, medical intervention.  Granted, medical intervention of that day was limited to cleaning, herbal remedies, and bandages.  Be that as it may, it appears the narrative here does not even address the issue of healing - just the ceremonial processes.

Nonetheless, the ceremony of cleansing described today seems to me to be rich is symbolism.  I will not attempt here to pretend to have a full grasp of that symbolism, but at least I do acknowledge it.

Father, help me to not get bogged down in the details of the ceremonial cleansing, but to quickly see the abundant symbolism in it.