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Home -> 5762 -> Metzora

כנגע נראה לי בבית

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5762

“Something like an affliction has appeared to me in the house.” (14:35)

Otzar Chaim has a wonderful thought regarding the teshuvah process and how the Kohen or rav can achieve the greatest success with the sinner. In the Mishnah Negaim  2:3, Chazal state that in a house which is dark – and, therefore, difficult for the Kohen to see the nega, plague – we do not open the windows to increase the light and make the nega more accessible. We can derive a profound lesson from this halachah. It is a message to the Kohanim, rabbanim, and anyone whose function it is to rebuke, to reproach, to guide and mentor: Do not search…

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Home -> 5761 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5761

“This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification.” (14:2)

We do not realize the power of the words that exit our mouths. Indeed, it is possible that a simple, innocuous comment made needlessly can have a far-reaching effect, as demonstrated by the following story: The Chafetz Chaim and another rav once set out on a three-day journey on a dvar mitzvah, a matter of religious significance. They stopped at an inn, whose impeccable kashrus standards were well-known, to have dinner. After the meal, the proprietress of the restaurant came over and asked them if they were pleased with their dinner. The Chafetz Chaim immediately responded in the affirmative. His…

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Home -> 5761 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5761

“He shall be brought to the Kohen.” (14:2)

The Kohen plays a pivotal role in the tumah and taharah, contamination and purity, of the metzora. Horav Meir Yechiel, z.l., m’Gustinin offers a profound explanation for the Kohen’s significance in this process. Realistically, when we rebuke the slanderer for his disparaging tongue, he is quick to respond, “But, I am only telling the truth.” He is justifying his iniquity with a spurious display of virtue. This false righteousness is an integral part of the slanderer’s trade. He conceals his evil with a facade of piety. This is why we bring him to the Kohen. The Kohen is a descendant…

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Home -> 5760 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5760

“This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification.” (14:2)

We do not realize the power of the words that exit our mouths. Indeed, it is possible that a simple, innocuous comment made needlessly can have a far-reaching effect, as demonstrated by the following story: The Chafetz Chaim and another rav once set out on a three-day journey on a dvar mitzvah, a matter of religious significance. They stopped at an inn, whose impeccable kashrus standards were well-known, to have dinner. After the meal, the proprietress of the restaurant came over and asked them if they were pleased with their dinner. The Chafetz Chaim immediately responded in the affirmative. His…

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Home -> 5760 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5760

“He shall be brought to the Kohen.” (14:2)

The Kohen plays a pivotal role in the tumah and taharah, contamination and purity, of the metzora. Horav Meir Yechiel, z.l., m’Gustinin offers a profound explanation for the Kohen’s significance in this process. Realistically, when we rebuke the slanderer for his disparaging tongue, he is quick to respond, “But, I am only telling the truth.” He is justifying his iniquity with a spurious display of virtue. This false righteousness is an integral part of the slanderer’s trade. He conceals his evil with a facade of piety. This is why we bring him to the Kohen. The Kohen is a descendant…

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Home -> 5759 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5759

This shall be the law of the metzora. (14:2)

Chazal say that the word metzora is an acronym for “motzi ra,” “(he) brings forth evil.”  This is a reference to lashon hora, evil tongue/speech which is the source of tzaraas.  Nowhere do we find a sin such as lashon hora, in which the punitive efforts to cleanse the individual and bring him to teshuvah are visited upon him in a descending order.  First, his house is struck; then, his begadim, clothes, became tamei until eventually he himself is struck by Hashem.  In the process, terrible pain is inflicted upon him.  Moreover, the pain of loneliness, the humiliation of being…

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Home -> 5759 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5759

This shall be the law of the metzora on the day of his purification. He shall be brought to the Kohen. (14:2)

The Torah commands the people to bring a metzora to the Kohen.  This implies that the metzora is brought even by force, if necessary.  The Ibn Ezra explains that human nature’s control over a person is compelling.  The moment that he is healed from his illness, he no longer senses the urgency to attain his purity.  Thus, he must be brought to the Kohen. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, feels that this applies to all areas of human endeavor.  When the metzora is in pain, when he suffers various afflictions, he does anything to effect a release from his anguish.  Yet,…

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Home -> 5759 -> Metzora

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Metzora, 5759

And he shall let the living bird loose into the open field. (14:7)

The process of purifying a metzora involves taking two live birds and following a detailed procedure with each of them.  The Kohen slaughters one bird, while he sets the other bird free.  This procedure is unique to the concept of sacrifices, which previously had been applied only to offerings brought and sacrificed upon the Mizbayach, Altar.  This is indeed a radical concept that begs elucidation. Horav Baruch Halevi Epstein, zl, in his Tosefes Brachah gives a noteworthy explanation.  Until now, the victim was known as a tamei, impure person.  He was an outcast who was relegated to cry out, “Tamei,…

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Home -> 5758 -> Metzora

Moshe Marcovich
In Metzora, 5758

This shall be the law of the metzora. (14:1)

In the Midrash, Chazal recount the story of a rochel, peddler, who plied his wares in the villages surrounding Tzippori.  He would proclaim, “Who wishes to buy an elixir of life?”  Understandably, buyers from the entire area sought to purchase such a desirable commodity.  Rabbi Yanai, who was studying Torah in the proximity of the peddler’s announcement, called down to him, “Come up and let me purchase your wares”.  The peddler responded, “People of your caliber have no need for my wares.”   Refusing to be brushed aside, Rabbi Yanai was determined to see this elixir.   Finally, the peddler…

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Home -> 5758 -> Metzora

Moshe Marcovich
In Metzora, 5758

The Kohen shall command; and for the person being purified there shall be taken two live, clean birds….(14:4)

Ibn Ezra contends that the Kohen “takes” from his own money to supply the necessary components for the purification process.  This is a bit unusual.   When a person goes to a doctor to be healed, the  physician  expects the individual to pay for services rendered.  Is the Kohen any different than a doctor?  Why should he, the spiritual physician, pay for the healing process?  The Torah should be as sensitive to the Kohen’s money as it is to the metzora! Al HaTorah identifies a practical reason for this distinction.  The person who is stricken with tzaraas is an individual…

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