Chazal tell us that the possibility of tzaraas habayis was indeed good news. The Emorites had hidden treasures of gold in their houses during the forty years in which Bnei Yisrael wandered in the desert. When the Jews demolished the house in reaction to a plague, they would uncover the treasure. Rashi’s version of Chazal is that the tzaraas will be “upon them,” rather than “upon the house”. This implies that a hidden treasure will be discovered in all cases of tzaraas,even tzaraas ha’guf, leprosy affecting the body.
The idea of hidden treasure within a human being is certainly a realistic one. Many of us have unlocked potential just waiting to be tapped. The treasure is, however, buried beneath layers of conceit, envy and material desires which veil the neshamah’s yearnings for spiritual ascendency. While demolition uncovers the hidden wealth within the house, the subjection of the body to a harsh, painful plague in itself constitutes demolition. The negaim, plagues, humble one’s spirit as they teach him the tragic effect of lashon hora.
No one has asserted that suffering would be easy or that pain and tribulation would be pleasant. Every cloud, however, has a silver lining. Rather than complain and criticize Hashem’s decree, it makes sense to seek out the buried treasure within us. After all, is that not what Hashem requires of us?
