Tazria – Page 10 – Peninim on the Torah

When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh an intensely white spot, or one nearly so, or a shiny white one… then he shall be brought to the Kohen. (13:2)

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…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5753

And the Kohen shall look at the plague in the skin of the flesh (13:3)

Tzara’as, which is inappropriately translated as leprosy, was actually a spiritual affliction. One who had transgressed certain sins, such as speaking lashon hora was inflicted with tzaraas. This affliction appeared on one’s body, his clothes, even the walls of his home. One who suspected himself of being a victim of this disease would go to the Kohen in order to be examined. Only after the Kohen declared him a metzora would he be considered tamei and consequently subject to all of the laws of tzara’as. Horav A. H. Lebovitz, Shlita, cites the Midrash which relates a story about an impoverished…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5752

“When a man will have in the skin of his flesh a rising, or a scab, or a bright spot.” (13:2)

It is a well known fact that these plagues were manifestations of Divine Justice meted out for sins which were either the effect of an evil-tongue or associated with sinful speech. Bearos Yitzchak suggest the following rationale for these plagues constructing the specific form of punishment for sinful speech. Man is distinguished from all other creations by his ability to express himself through the medium of speech. In fact, the term “one who speaks” is used to describe human beings. In contrast to all other creations, man’s power of speech is an inherent part of his essence. This may be…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5752

“When there is a plague of leprosy on a man, he shall be brought to the Kohen.” (13:9)

The Medrash states, “One sees all plagues except one’s own plagues.” Kohanim were licensed to examine and diagnose the leprosy of all Jews, except their own. This halacha is not meant to imply that a Kohen would deliberately alter his findings in an effort to cover up the truth. There is a valid assumption, however, that despite his most sincere efforts at objectivity, man’s judgment invariably yields to self-interest. This is the implication of the above midrashic dictum. Another message conveyed in this pasuk is that man will perceive other people’s faults, but not his own. Perhaps it is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5752

“Or flesh, when he has in his skin a burning by fire, and the quick flesh, of the burning becomes a bright spot, reddish-white or white.” (13:24)

Rashi notes that the signs of a burn and the signs of a boil are the same, yet the Torah treats them separately in order to indicate that their effect are not to be added to one another. In the event that a mark half the size of a bean of a boil and half the size of a bean of burning appears on the skin, they are not judged as a whole bean. Horav Moshe Feinstein Z”l suggests that a spiritual message may be derived from this halacha, but we must first understand another statement regarding these two plagues….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5752

“All the days wherein the plague is in him, he shall be unclean.” (13:46)

This pasuk seems superfluous. Obviously, if the disease still plagues the individual, he is deemed unclean! The Netziv explains that one might assume that after performing the ritual of cleansing oneself and observing the rites of the metzora (leper), he would now be permitted to return to a state of purity, even though the disease is still in him. Indeed, one is not viewed as a true baal teshuva (penitent) until after he has altered his offending previous habits. Superficial acts of penance, going through the external motions of performing teshuva, are insufficient. True teshuva begins with acknowledgment of one’s…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5751

“When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male.” (12:2)

“Back and front You have fashioned me” (Tehilim 139). In the Midrash it is stated that “back” refers to the first day of Creation. If a person is worthy he is told “you came before the entire work of creation”, but if he is not worthy he is told “even a gnat preceded you.” This Midrash is used as an explanation for the placement of the laws of contamination that emanates from human beings after the laws of tumah, resulting from contact with dead animals. The Torah follows the pattern of Creation. Just as humans were created after animals, so…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5751

“When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh…” (13:2)

It is stated throughout Chazal that the various plagues are a direct result of speaking slander. Why do not gentiles receive a similar punishment? Is it not likewise improper for them to speak lashon horah? We may respond by reflecting upon the harm that is caused by speaking lashon horah. Slander in its various forms causes tremendous harm to interpersonal relations. The unified social structure of our people can be destroyed through the spreading of slander. The Jewish people have as a mandate from Hashem to be unified, to exist in harmony with each other. Since the soul of Klal…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5751

“He shall sit alone, outside of the camp shall be his habitation.” (13:46)

We are enjoined to send the afflicted leper out of the various camps, so that he be secluded from all people. It is appropriate that this individual who through his slander caused discord and strife among his fellow man, should now be forced to live in seclusion, which will cause him to reflect upon his terrible deeds. The Talmud includes the leper among the various people who because of their unfortunate situations are considered as dead (Nedarim 64b). At first glance it would appear that he is “considered as dead” due to the pain and gravity of his illness. The…

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When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh an intensely white spot, or one nearly so, or a shiny white one… then he shall be brought to the Kohen. (13:2)

And the Kohen shall look at the plague in the skin of the flesh (13:3)

“When a man will have in the skin of his flesh a rising, or a scab, or a bright spot.” (13:2)

“When there is a plague of leprosy on a man, he shall be brought to the Kohen.” (13:9)

“Or flesh, when he has in his skin a burning by fire, and the quick flesh, of the burning becomes a bright spot, reddish-white or white.” (13:24)

“All the days wherein the plague is in him, he shall be unclean.” (13:46)

“When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male.” (12:2)

“When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh…” (13:2)

“He shall sit alone, outside of the camp shall be his habitation.” (13:46)

YEARS

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