Q: What is one of the causes of the tazria affliction?
A: Rambam infers that lashon hara is the cause, citing a story in Parshat Nasso when Miriam is punished for how she speaks about Moses who was afflicted with the same skin disease. The danger of lashon hara is that the initial slander can initiate a downward path to future, more serious transgressions. The appearance of tazria therefore serves as a warning to avoid further sinful behavior.
Blurting is Hurting
Israelites wandered the desert abyss A man detected, his skin was amiss A whitish lesion, could be tazria. The Cohen Gadol issues subpoena To summon this man in order to deem That he must be spiritually unclean. The man is ordered away from the scene, For seven full days, he must quarantine. Must stay in his room, and he cannot be seen. After seven days he may reconvene With Cohen Gadol to see the lesion, In order to check that it didn't deepen. Declares the Cohen: "I'm sure that you're cured! However we must ensure that you're pure! Your garments in water, shall be immersed, So its impurities shall be dispersed." What is the purpose we get tazria? According to Rambam, reason is via Lashon hara, which is an idea To gossip aloud, will cause tazria. We should never speak badly of others. About whom you speak, surely you'll bother. The second person that will be hurt Is to whom the gossip that you did blurt. The third person that will surely be harmed Is whom that spoke gossip, should be alarmed Of what was written by Rambam who wrote "13 Principles of Faith," we can quote. Initial slander plants seeds for future Transgressions that may prove to be ruder. Negative speaking can initiate A pathway downward, toward a sinful fate. The only way to prevent tazria Is actually a simple idea. Avoid all gossip, steer clear of slander. No lashon hara, speak with a manner Praising of others, being good-hearted. Be like tzaddikim, you'll feel rewarded.
By Ronen Khordipour
Ronen Khordipour makes Torah wisdom accessible to a wide Jewish audience through simple rhyming poetry. Khordipour is currently writing “Soul of the Scroll,” a book of poems for each Torah portion. Ronen is available for public readings, and can be reached at info@soulofthescroll.com.
