After completing the discussion of prohibited foods that can contaminate the Jew, the Torah discusses other forms of spiritual impurity. One of these involves the person who develops a skin condition called tzara’as, (related to the word psoriasis). The Talmud explains that tzara’as is a physical manifestation of a spiritual deficiency, usually coming as a result of specific sins, such as lashon hara (negative speech about others), arrogance and stinginess. Different forms of tzara’as, i.e. on one’s skin or hair or on a burn, denote different sins so a person could understand clearly where his faults lie.
The tzara’as must be diagnosed by the kohen. The person is then isolated outside of the camp, until he is again visited by the kohen. The isolation is more stringent than that of any other impurity. The reason for this is that by speaking gossip one creates a rift between others, and he is thus separated from other people. Only after the kohen determines that the person has been healed is he allowed to begin the purification process. This involves shaving his hair, sprinkling of water, sacrifices and immersions.
The Torah also discusses various types of tzara’as that do not even affect a person’s skin, but rather his clothing and even his house.
The reason why the Torah devotes such great detail to the different types of tzara’as, their diagnoses and the purification processes involved, is to teach us a lesson about the causes of tzara’as and its rectification. There is something unique about lashon hora that makes it more severe than many other sins. With just a few words or even a facial expression, a tremendous amount of damage can be inflicted upon another person, or people—financial emotional, and even physical. People may not realize the destructive power of the tongue; however, the whole fabric of society can be torn apart by the choice of a few ill words.
The Talmud comments that lashon hara is so commonplace, almost everyone transgresses it regularly. Accordingly, the Torah goes into such great detail about the Metzora’s isolation from society and the process how he must do teshuva to regain entry back into the community.
Even though tzara’as no longer exists after the Temple was destroyed, the lessons about the severity of lashon hara must still be taken to heart.
“…This month shall be the head of all months for you” (Exod. 12:2)
The Jewish calendar is based both upon the lunar cycle and the solar year. In the solar year the earth merely completes its revolution around the sun with nothing-new happening. That’s why it’s called Shana, meaning "to repeat". The lunar month is called Chodesh, meaning "new", because a new moon becomes visible. The Jewish holidays are meant for us to combine the new and the old, to repeat the observance of the old with a new and fresh feeling.
The Viznitzer Rebbe had a follower, Reb Mordche, who made sure to be present each day to answer Amen to the Rebbe’s morning blessings. One day he came a bit late and missed the blessings. Reb Mordche couldn’t forgive himself. His friends tried to console him, “You heard the Rebbe’s blessings yesterday, and you can hear them tomorrow too.”
“What do you mean?” Reb Mordche cried. “What do yesterday’s blessings have to do with today? Each day’s blessings are a totally new opportunity!”
Did You Know...
There is a requirement to lean while eating the matza and drinking the wine at the Seder. This commemorates how prestigious people used to eat. There are different opinions regarding a woman’s obligation, since in ancient times they generally did not recline. However, they must eat and drink sitting and not standing.
If one forgot to lean for the first two cups of wine or for the matza eaten before the meal he should drink or eat over again without reciting another blessing. However, the last two cups, and the Afikoman matza eaten after the meal, need not be repeated. The leaning must be to one’s left and on a pillow or some other surface. Leaning on the air is not considered leaning.
