VOLUME 115 NUMBER 4
Iyar 4, 5785
May 2, 2025
Parshas Tazria-Metzorah
Candlelighting Time 7:38
We live in a world of comparisons. We often judge others within a limited and narrow theme. Doing so makes many of us champions. After all, paralleled to others we feel much more secure and exceptional in our own lives. Perhaps one davens in a more enhanced fashion than his neighbor or learns better then someone else. The question that needs to be poised is whether or not that type of comparison is valid. Perhaps one should not look at others who are not performing as well as he is but rather viewing his achievement viz-a-viz someone who is accomplishing more than he is. That might embolden a person to try harder and realize his potential in a more elevated and successful manner.
Chofetz Chaim actually explains that this proper attitude is alluded to in the parsha.
Regarding the sacrifice that the metzorah must bring to complete his purification course, it depends on his economic status. If he is wealthy, then he must bring a sacrifice of animals, but if he is not so well off, then he brings a bird offering. And finally, even if that is too monetarily taxing, then it suffices if he only brings a meal offering. The rich man who offers the same sacrifice as the poor individual does not fulfill his obligation. Hence, clearly one must fulfill the mitzvos at his level although in comparison to another it would be enough, for him it doesn’t hit the mark.
In a similar fashion, one who is intellectually ‘poor’ can only function at his impoverished level. Although for another it may not be enough, but for this person that is the best that he can do. There are others who are academically talented and perhaps we can refer to them as scholastically wealthy. Is there a reasonable approach to expect that the one who is so gifted and brilliant should only be judged based upon the other who is mentally bankrupt? Of course not, that would be absurd! And the person whom Hashem was so kind to and endowed him with such capabilities certainly is expected to utilize his skills to their fullest extent. And if he doesn’t, then he has failed in his mission that Hashem has given him the aptitude to accomplish and successfully achieve. Therefore, one should look upward not downward in his search for a ‘mentor.’
An interesting note that someone approached the Chofetz Chaim bemoaning that his children had to wear secondhand clothing for Yom Tov while his neighbor’s children were always wearing new and beautiful clothing for Yom Tov. This disturbed his peace of mind. He responded that truly this is appropriate. The shabbily clothed family were extraordinary in their accelerated state of accomplishment in Torah and performance of mitzvos. While the neighbor’s family were not really that capable of serving Hashem. Therefore, Hashem provided them with the financial capacity to live a more lavishly assured and secure lifestyle since they did not have the ability to reach those heights in serving Hashem.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
King David entered a bathhouse and felt a void in his connection with Hashem as he stood there bare. He was reminded of his bris milah which is always present and was satisfied. The deeper meaning of this episode is that in his search for purity as alluded to in the bathhouse, the mikveh, he did not feel fully accomplished. However, appreciating the bris milah that a young baby is afforded, the sanctity that is instilled in that fledgling soul inspired him to recognize the inherent virtue that every Jew possesses. CHASAM SOFER
GOOD SHABB0S
