Torah Fax

Friday, April 8, 2005 - 28 Adar II, 5765

orah Reading: Tazriah (Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59)
Candle Lighting time: 7:10 PM
Shabbat ends: 8:12 PM
Parshat HaChodesh
We bless the New Month of Nissan
 
Talk Is Cheap?
 
This week's Parshah of Tazriah reminds us of the power of speech. Our sages explain that the form of skin disorder described by the Torah - Tzara'as - was not a natural condition. Despite its apparent resemblance to other, natural diseases - Tzara'as was not related to any form of medical illness known to man.
 
Although the Torah required the Metzorah, the one stricken with this skin disorder, to be quarantined, it was not because the Tzara'as was contagious. In fact, he was only isolated after the Kohain declared his malady to be Tameih, or spiritually impure. Despite the fact that he might have had the Tzara'as for a number of days - his isolation was only required from the time the Kohain made his official declaration. 
 
What then brought about this unusual disease? Our sages say that Tzara'as came upon one who spoke ill of another. One who slanders someone creates separation and discord between that person and his acquaintances. The talebearer was stricken with this sickness as a sign from Heaven that words hurt and what we say has ramifications. The Metzorah would be quarantined and separated from the community to give him a "taste of his own medicine" - to let him realize the pain and separation he caused between people when he spoke ill of others. In addition, while he was quarantined, he would have time to do some soul searching and repent for his sinful speech.
 
Thus, the main message of our Parshah is to be careful with our speech and to refrain from saying slanderous things about another. The saying "sticks and stones… but words will never hurt" is clearly not of Jewish origin nor is it true - for words can hurt and cause more damage than we would like to imagine. It is the intent of our Parch to make sure we are very careful in that regard.
 
Loshon Horah - evil speech - is usually portrayed in the following manner. One says something, which might even be relatively true, in confidence to a friend. Almost immediately, it is transmitted to another - with a few tidbits inevitably added on. He, in turn, tells it to another and in a brief period an entire community will be hearing rumors - which have snowballed out of proportion - about one of its members. 
 
Chassidic thought delves even deeper into the power of Loshon HoRah and derives an important lesson about Loshon HaTov - positive speech - as well.
 
Speech, the Ba'al Shem Tov teaches, has the power to "reveal." When we speak about another person's moral weaknesses, even though our observations might be true (for Lashon HoRah need not be false to be sinful), we cause those weaknesses to surface and become more visible. Faults that until now might have been unnoticed suddenly become manifest. Thus, speaking ill of someone has the power to actualize that person's shortcomings.
 
What is true in the negative sense certainly holds true in the positive. By speaking positively about another and focusing on his good qualities - even though those qualities might only be present in a small measure - we can magnify those qualities and bring them to the fore.  Positive speech in and of itself has a positive effect on others.
 
For thousands of years Jews have been yearning for Moshiach. Yet, yearning alone is not sufficient. It is our actions - the Mitzvahs we do - that change the world and transform it into a "dwelling place for G‑d."
 
Based on the above, however, it is clear that speaking about Moshiach and articulating our desires for the redemption are also powerful tools in bringing about the realization of that dream. Just as the Ba'al Shem Tov taught that praising a person's qualities - though they may be hidden beneath the surface and only exist in a potential state - can reveal those qualities and bring them to the surface; so too is the redemption ready to happen. As the Bible says, Moshiach is "Omed Achar Kosleinu," he is "standing behind the wall," waiting to be revealed. The more we discuss the redemption and (verbally) beseech G‑d to bring it about, the quicker the redemption will "come to the surface."
 
It is for this reason that we find King David saying numerous times in the Book of Psalms "Ad Mosai, until when?" He expressed with heartfelt emotion his desire to end the exile and bring about the redemption. Similarly, the Rebbe introduced the song "We want Moshiach now." These phrases are not merely vocalizations of deeply felt emotions - they have the power to actualize those desires and turn them into reality. 
 
May we (in addition to being careful to avoid Lashon Horah) increase in our "Lashon HaTov" -  speaking and discussing Moshiach Third Temple is rebuilt!

 
Moshiach Matters
 
Look with favor, L-rd our G‑d, on Your people Israel and pay heed to their prayer; restore the service to Your Sanctuary and accept with love and favor Israel's fire-offerings and prayer; and may the service of Your people Israel always find favor. May our eyes behold Your return to Zion in mercy. Blessed are You, L-rd, who restores His Divine Presence to Zion. (From the Amidah prayer said three times daily)
Moshiach - It’s a Jewish issue. For more info, visit www.moshiach.com
 
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