בס"ד
This week we have two Parashot, Tazria and Metzora. In Parashat Metzora the Torah talks with us about a "metzorah" a man who is afflicted with a skin condition known as "Tzarat" that one would get for speaking "Lashon Harah[1]" about someone else. The Tzarat may present itself in different forms but in the end of the day it is a skin condition, the Torah tells us that if someone gets a skin condition that looks like it may be Tzarat, that person needs to go and show it to a Kohen, and the Kohen will tell him if it is Tzarat or just a skin condition. If it's Tzarat the afflicted person needs to uproot from the town and go live in isolation for seven days before he may return to civilization. So why go to the kohen? If it is a skin condition go to a dermatologist and if it's a Halachic question, go to a rabbi.
So, the Rambam says that the Halacha[2] is if there is a kohen that does not know much and a rabbi that is an expert in the laws of Tzarat, you may go to the expert to get an opinion, and then the expert can tell the Kohen if he thinks it is Tzarat or not, but he may not decide it's Tzarat, only the kohen can. So why a Kohen? Kohenim are descendants of Aharon the first Kohen a man the Torah describes as "אוהב שלום ורודף שלום, אוהב את הבריות ומקרבן לתורה[3]."
A man who loves peace and pursues peace, loves Gods' creations, and brings them close to the Torah. The Torah Says only a man that in his DNA it is so rooted in him to love all people, only he can give out such a harsh punishment of isolation. Now as we said before the reason for getting Tzarat comes from "Lashon Hara", speaking badly about someone else, When I speak poorly about Chayim to Yossi, I am creating division, I am actively making Yossi like Chayim less, I am isolating Chayim from his friend. And there for the Kohen who actively pursues peace and brings people together needs to be the one to decide if I need to be isolated myself.
Today we are celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaout, Israel's independents day. Today is a day to celebrate unity and not division, A day to say good things about all our brothers and sisters, all types of Jews around the world, Secular, Orthodox, conservatives, Charadi, Reform, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and everyone else see the good in each group, and only say the good. May we all be students of Aharon HaKohen אוהב שלום ורודף שלום.""
שבת שלום
This week we have two Parashot, Tazria and Metzora. In Parashat Metzora the Torah talks with us about a "metzorah" a man who is afflicted with a skin condition known as "Tzarat" that one would get for speaking "Lashon Harah[1]" about someone else. The Tzarat may present itself in different forms but in the end of the day it is a skin condition, the Torah tells us that if someone gets a skin condition that looks like it may be Tzarat, that person needs to go and show it to a Kohen, and the Kohen will tell him if it is Tzarat or just a skin condition. If it's Tzarat the afflicted person needs to uproot from the town and go live in isolation for seven days before he may return to civilization. So why go to the kohen? If it is a skin condition go to a dermatologist and if it's a Halachic question, go to a rabbi.
So, the Rambam says that the Halacha[2] is if there is a kohen that does not know much and a rabbi that is an expert in the laws of Tzarat, you may go to the expert to get an opinion, and then the expert can tell the Kohen if he thinks it is Tzarat or not, but he may not decide it's Tzarat, only the kohen can. So why a Kohen? Kohenim are descendants of Aharon the first Kohen a man the Torah describes as "אוהב שלום ורודף שלום, אוהב את הבריות ומקרבן לתורה[3]."
A man who loves peace and pursues peace, loves Gods' creations, and brings them close to the Torah. The Torah Says only a man that in his DNA it is so rooted in him to love all people, only he can give out such a harsh punishment of isolation. Now as we said before the reason for getting Tzarat comes from "Lashon Hara", speaking badly about someone else, When I speak poorly about Chayim to Yossi, I am creating division, I am actively making Yossi like Chayim less, I am isolating Chayim from his friend. And there for the Kohen who actively pursues peace and brings people together needs to be the one to decide if I need to be isolated myself.
Today we are celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaout, Israel's independents day. Today is a day to celebrate unity and not division, A day to say good things about all our brothers and sisters, all types of Jews around the world, Secular, Orthodox, conservatives, Charadi, Reform, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and everyone else see the good in each group, and only say the good. May we all be students of Aharon HaKohen אוהב שלום ורודף שלום.""
שבת שלום
[1] Lashon hara literally means “bad talk.”
Here is a brief overview of some of the laws, mostly gleaned from Chafetz Chaim: This means that it is forbidden to speak negatively about someone else, even if it is true. It is also forbidden to repeat anything about another, even if it is not a negative thing. This is called rechilut.
Here is a brief overview of some of the laws, mostly gleaned from Chafetz Chaim: This means that it is forbidden to speak negatively about someone else, even if it is true. It is also forbidden to repeat anything about another, even if it is not a negative thing. This is called rechilut.
[2] Mishna Torah, Helchot Tumat Tzarat 9,2
[3] Mishna Pirkei Avot 1,12