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These parshiyot – Tazria and Metzora tell about the metzora. Chazal say that the word “Metzora” is a combination of the word “motzi ra – one who emits slander” [lit. spreading negative information], implying that tzara’at is retribution for one who slanders, since he spread derogatory information. But there is another meaning to tzara’at that a metzora suffers, as it is stated in Gemara about tzara’at [Berachot 5b]: It is nothing else but an altar of atonement. Suffering purifies a person from all evilness, since through suffering he is cleansed from all sin. This is the reason for the juxtaposition: “If a woman conceives … and on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised” and following this is parashat Metzora, which signifies that just as through the mizvah of Brit Mila [circumcision] the child connects to the Covenant of Avraham Avinu, so too the suffering and pain that a person experiences because of his tzara’at removes all evilness from him and connects him to Hashem, since suffering is for the benefit of man and he should not despair when it comes upon him.
Source: Rabbi David Hanania Pinto
This shall be the law of the person afflicted with tzara'ath, on the day of his cleansing: he shall be brought to the kohen. [Metzora 14:2]
People have a tendency to make light of the sin of loshon hara, said the Dubno Maggid. They say to themselves: ''What are mere words? I am not harming my friend in any way by simply speaking about him.''
The Torah therefore requires that the metzora be brought to the Kohen, in order for him to witness what man's speech is capable of doing. With one word, the Kohen defines the status of the metzora, making him either pure or impure - such is the power of man's words!
Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein
When i was in school, and as kids will do... we sometimes called each other names... which were meant to hurt us.
ReplyDeleteThis is what we would say"
"Sticks and stones can break my bones,
But words can NEVER hurt me"
How un-wise... and no one told us different... now we know.. words can hurt.
Even when writing in News papers, and such medias... when talking or writing of other peoples and their ways... is this also bad?
I think so...
Words, can heal... yes... Words can hurt and cause a pain worse than any sickness.
Hashem help and bless us all.. All peoples of all faiths and colour and all else.
sc
Sometimes I get very confused about news reports. On the one hand we are meant to warn people of certain dangerous individuals, but on the other hand it can be seen as lashon hara and I don't really know where the cut off point is. Maybe someone can cast some light here.
ReplyDeleteThere are many organizations b"h that are accessible to people in our day and age concerning the Laws pertaining to Loshon Ho'rah and Rechilus that can be accessed on the internet.
ReplyDeleteI personally subscribed to 'two halochos a day' on Sh'mirat HaLashon,
guarding one's speach, by the Chofetz Chayim Foundation.
Many people have seen wonderous yeshuot come about by simply learning and adhering to those laws.
I strongly recommend it to your splendid followers. It's in clear and simple term thats easily doable and understandible. I have leart so, so much from the lessons myself. It's truly worthwhile.