The word o,rzvu, you shall separate, from contamination is derived from the word rzb, crown. The crown distinguishes its wearer from the masses. The Sfas Emes explains, that similarly, Bnei Yisrael distinguish themselves by separating from the moral contaminants which abound. It is the true hallmark of Bnei Yisrael’s majesty that they rise above earthly contamination in order to devote themselves to serving Hashem. Those who dedicate their lives to this endeavor are truly worthy of Hashem’s crown.
The Torah relates a form of disease which can afflict the Jewish home. The Torah refers to this disease as tzara’as, a sort of spiritual leprosy within the walls of the house. The Torah details specific instructions for the Kohen and the owner of the house regarding the procedure for dealing with this “affliction”. Chazal emphasize the Torah’s choice of the word in the house. Indeed, as they note, “tumah is declared only if the rot appears inside the house.” One’s internal life is expected to be in order. The hypocrisy to which children are sensitive must not exist. There…