In Meseches Negaim 12:5, Chazal state that one should not assert that he definitely saw a plague. Rather, he should say that he saw what appears to be a plague. A number of reasons are given for this halachah. The Torah Temimah suggests a somewhat novel interpretation. The Kohen is the one who renders decisions regarding negaim, plagues. It would, therefore, be brazen on the part of anyone else to issue a decision in the presence of the Kohen. By saying that he has a plague, the metzora seems to be rendering a decision concerning himself in the presence of the Kohen. This concept applies also to the Rav/spiritual leader of a community.
Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, elaborates concerning the respect due to the rav of a community, regardless of its size or the rav’s stature. He relates that during a visit to a small town, the Yeshuos Yaakov was questioned in regard to a certain halachah. He responded by permitting it. After awhile, he reminded himself that the Taz clearly forbade it. The Yeshuos Yaakov said that the fact that he had made a mistake did not surprise him. He should have been cognizant that in a community that has a rav, no one else has the siyata dishmaya, Divine assistance, to render a correct decision. Hashem supports the rav of a community, intervening on his behalf when necessary.
