VOLUME 120 NUMBER 3
Nissan 30, 5786
April 17, 2026
Parshas Tazriah-Metzorah
Candlelighting Time 7:22
The halacha is that only a Kohen can pronounce the impurity of Tzora’as upon either a person, his clothing or his home. Nonetheless, when the Torah mentions that one’s house can be infected with the spiritual impurity of Tzora’as the owner approaches the Kohen and states that it appears as though a sign of Tzora’as has been noticed. Rashi cites the Midrash that even one who is proficient in this area of defining what is Tzora’as must not say clearly that it has appeared in his house. The commentaries question this because since only the Kohen can declare that the sign is one of Tzora’as what is the difference if one actually defines it as so or not? Maharal explains with a very profound understanding that since the house is not determined to be impure with Tzora’as until the Kohen so asserts, therefore saying to the Kohen that it is Tzora’as would be lying and in Tehillim we recite that one who speaks falsehoods can’t exist in front of Hashem. This explanation would seem to be somewhat exaggerated since even though the house has not been determined yet as possessing Tzora’as it is only a detail that must be attended to, that the Kohen should make that determination!
Our Sages state that those who lie will not merit to view that eventual revelation of the Divine Presence when the world reaches its climatic stage of perfection. Why is it paradoxical if one does not always state the truth? It would seem that even though one’s speech is not necessarily in line with the Torah’s edict of saying the truth, still a person can have fulfilled all the mitzvos in their entirety!
Speech is perhaps the most definitive character of man. Rashi in Bereishis explains that the advantage of man over the rest of creation is that we can communicate with others and share our thoughts and information. This is considered an advanced level of superiority of processing and amassing knowledge. There is no other creation that has this ability to control and administer information in such a sophisticated manner. And this capability is truly a sign that we are created in the image of a Divine master, Hashem whose ‘knowledge’ is infinite and truly supreme. This is indicative of Hashem’s absolute existence and dominant authority and omnipresence. Therefore, since we were created in His ‘image’ we have been endowed with that ability in a somewhat diminutive sense.
Any deviation from that form of essential conduct would represent an inconsistency with our responsibility to live exemplifying our connection to Hashem in the most appropriate manner. Therefore, one who indeed veers off the path of perfection in this way is certainly not worthy of reception of Hashem’s presence in the future when the world will attain its projected objective. Therefore, although it may seem as only a slight aberration from accepted demeanor, it is actually a very acute divergence from the purpose of creation and specifically that of our nation.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The spiritual malaise, Tzora’as is a result of speaking ill of others, Loshon Hora. We are warned not to slander others but more so in Tehilim we are encouraged to pursue peace, only referring to other people in a praiseworthy and kind fashion. K’SAV SOFER
GOOD SHABBOS
