This week's Torah portion has a very interesting discussion on certain types of afflictions, called Tza'arat, that were considered spiritual afflictions. A person suffering from Tza'arat needed to take stock and realize what character or behavior flaw was causing it. During the time that he had Tza'arat, he would be required to leave the city in which he dwelled, and camp outside the city walls until he was cured.
Our sages teach that Tza'arat was often visited on a person as a spiritual response to the sins of gossip and slander. They explain: With his gossip and slander, he separated a husband from his wife, a man from his neighbor; therefore said the Torah: "He shall dwell alone."
I find it meaningful that this Torah portion is read on the same week that a college campus was stricken with one of the most horrifying tragedies in
Of course, we all feel tremendous pain for the victims, and wonder what would drive a person to commit such acts. And, in this actual case, there is no real way for anyone to fathom what caused this tragedy in any meaningful way.
But, our tradition teaches us to try to take a lesson from everything we observe; how much more is this true with respect to this tragedy.
Perhaps a lesson that we can draw is the importance of ensuring that we never use our words to create loneliness; "to separate man from his neighbor."
Our tongues are remarkably powerful tools. We can use them to create an inclusive, loving community, in which each individual has a place. But, we can also use them as sharp, cutting weapons, isolating people into devastating loneliness. Let us be wise and use our power of speech for good.
Rabbi Chaim
ChabadTexas.org Editor