Parshsios Tazria/Hachodesh | The Kollel Connection

March 28, 2013 – Candle lighting 7:02, Shabbos Ends 8:11

Note: Times are for Bensalem; Check your local calendar for exact times in your area.

Rabbi Moshe Travitsky

Welcome to the Kollel Connection.

The Kollel Connection is dedicated this week in memory of Mrs. Edith Rieder, a’h, matriarch of the Rieder family. May Hashem comfort her beautiful family among the other mourners of Israel and Jerusalem, and may they know no more sorrow. 

This week we read Parshas Tazria. It is also Parshas Hachodesh, being the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Nissan, when we read of the special mitzvah of sanctifying the New moon on Rosh Chodesh, the first of the month. In Parshas Tazria, the Torah tells us the laws of a person who is punished with tzaraas, a skin discoloration that would come upon a Jew who had sinned. In particular, our Sages teach us, this punishment would come upon a Jew who had spoken lashan hara, evil gossip or reports, against another Jew. Even if the report was true, the person who spoke these words is faulted for having spoken evil about another Jew. He or she is punished for their sin, and their punishment is quiet severe. When one has tzaraas, he or she is banished and must leave the entire Jewish community, staying away from all other Jews. He or she cannot be in the company of anyone else, even of someone who also has tzaraas. Why is it that they are punished with such an extreme decree of being alone, and not associating with others? Why can’t they at least associate with other people who also have this affliction of tzaraas?

Our Sages teach us that this is given to them in direct proportion to the sin that causes tzaraas. When one says lashan hara, when one spreads bad gossip about others, they cause friction and separation among people. Whether it’s between friends, neighbors, or even family members, the result is that people who were united are now separated from each other. In direct proportion to that, the Torah tells the person who has tzaraas to spend time alone, to think and contemplate why it was that such a punishment befell them. By focusing on themselves, they can hopefully realize their mistake, and repent for it.

When a punishment comes to the Jewish people, people begin to try to figure out why Hashem made this particular tragedy occur in the time and place that it did. When a person is in the company of others, even if they are all basically good people, they tend to focus on seeing the faults of other people, and focusing on why someone else has to change. This is precisely what the Torah didn’t want to happen. The Torah wants each person to focus on themselves, and to fix up in themselves whatever they can. This is why the person with tzaraas is told to go out of the camp alone – so that he or she can focus on improving themselves and correcting whatever sins brought about this malady of tzaraas. The lesson we are taught – when we see something that needs correcting by someone else – first look in the mirror and see if it is something that really applies to us ourselves!!!!

Wishing you and your family a Great Shabbos!!!!!!!! 

Rabbi Moshe Travitsky

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