The Netziv. z.l.. cites the Zohar, which states that the word “adam” refers to one who is dignified and respected. This statement seems enigmatic. Tzara’as is an affliction visited upon one who has spoken lashon hara and slandered others. Indeed, Chazal say that the word “Torah” is written five times regarding tzara’as, to teach that one who speaks lashon hora transgresses the five chumashim – or the entire Torah! Why then would the Torah refer to this person as an “adam chashuv”?
Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., suggests the following resolution to this question. The Talmud provides great detail describing the causes of tzara’as in man, clothing and the home. The Torah, however, hardly alludes to its etiology. This seems puzzling. Should not the Torah have emphasized the root of the sin, so that man would refrain from the dysfunctional forms of behavior which precipitate tzara’as? It is even more striking that the sin of lashon hora is not even mentioned until Parshas Kedoshim!
The greatness of a man is apparently not assessed by whether or not he is plagued with tzara’as. Man’s stature is commensurate with his ability to learn from his mistakes and to do whatever he can do to rectify his wrongdoing. One who studies proficiently, but does not change his baneful middos, achieves nothing. An “adam”, man, is esteemed if, when he is stricken with a plague in his body, goes to the Kohen for guidance. One who subdues his ego and goes to the spiritual mentor of Bnei Yisroel, the Kohen, manifests his own respectability. A person’s response to punishment is the determining factor of its efficiency.
