B"H
Tuesday, Iyar 2, 5778 (17th day of Sefirah) / April 17 2018
In the Diaspora we will read this Shabbat the two Parshiot, Tazria & Metzora, from the Book of Leviticus (Vayikra). In Israel, where Tazria and Metzora were read this past Shabbat, they will read Acharei & Kedoshim.
(In a previous Torah Fax I wrote that Israel & the Diaspora will adjust with the reading of Matos-Masei. That was a mistake. We will adjust before Shavuot with the reading of Behar-Bechukotei).
Tazria and Metzora deal with laws of "Tzara’at" – an affliction which has physical symptoms similar to leprosy and would bring spiritual impurity when it afflicts a person. The laws of "Tzara’at" applied only during the time of the Holy Temple.
Our sages explain that "Tzara’at" was inflicted upon a person as a punishment for speaking "Lashon Hara" (evil speech) - slandering others. From the Parsha we learn that speaking ill about others is an extremely grave sin.
According to our sages, slander hurts three people; 1) The one who speaks; 2) The person who listens; 3) The person spoken about! Although the laws of Tzara’at does not apply today, yet the prohibition to speak evil about people applies today as in the days of the Temple.
Our sages emphasized the importance to be very careful when speaking about others. In fact, we are advised in some cases to refrain from speaking about others in general, even when our intention is to tell nice things, for in the course of the conversation one may inadvertently say something negative.
Our sages compare the damage inflicted through evil speech (Lashon Hara) to a person shooting an arrow at somebody else. As soon as the arrow leaves, the person who shot it has no control over it anymore. With the best intentions.. he cannot bring the arrow back. Similarly, as soon as a person utters negative words about others, he lost control over them and there is no telling how far they may travel and how much damage they may inflict.
When Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber of Lubavitch was a small child the tailor once brought him a new garment for a fitting. As he was being fitted, the child put his hand in the tailors pocket and pulled out a piece of material. The tailor became very embarrassed as it was obvious that he intended to take some of the extra material for himself. The little boy knew that he did something wrong by embarrassing the tailor. He then came to his father, Rabbi Shmuel and asked him what to do to repent for the sin of embarrassing another person.
Rabbi Shmuel asked his young son, "Who was the person you embarrassed?"
To this the boy replied, "Is it not enough that I embarrassed him, I should also tell you who he is.. and commit the sin of Lashan Hara - speaking evil of others?”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY