BY: Eric Kaplan
This d'var
Torah is loosely based on one given by Rav Kook[1]
Kabbalah teaches us a great deal about the importance of our words and their
mystical powers. The world was created not through thoughts or actions, but
rather, through divine speech. Our speech is a reflection of HaShem’s speech,
we should therefore take great care before speaking, since it regulates our
connection with G-d. In fact, the Baal Shem Tov states as his sixth principle:
“A person has to cling to the words that he speaks. Because each word contains
a soul and divinity, when you cling to them, you are connected to divinity.”[2]
Our words also have the power to do tremendous harm. This week we read Parashat
Metzora, which describes how to treat the skin ailment, tzaraat. Midrashic
sources suggest that Metzora is an abbreviation for motzi shem
ra,or speaking slander. This parasha serves as an important reminder
that speech can also have a destructive power. One such story of the
destructive power of speech is from Bereshit 31. After Laban pursues
Jacob in search of missing idols, Jacob responds that whoever stole the idols
should die. Rashi attributes Rachel’s death to that curse placed upon her by
Jacob.[3]
One
who is afflicted with tzaraat is sent outside of the camp to prevent
contamination of the rest of the community. When the suspected patient is
quarantined, all items that were in the house are removed and discarded, but
previously removed items remain clean. Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, in his
commentary, notes that this indicates that the cleansing process was not
hygienic, rather, it was spiritual. This further reinforces the notion that tzaraat
was a physical ailment rooted in the spiritual realm.
Rabbi
Plaut also notes that the role of the kohen is not that of a doctor or
healer, rather, his role is to facilitate the process of spiritual cleansing.
This contrasts with the practices of surrounding other cultures and
societies. They had designated doctors who were responsible for
healing. The biblical narrative relates to healing as a miracle. Our tradition
attributes physical ailments to a deficiency in the Ruach HaKodesh, and
those ailments are treated through both physical and spiritual means.
Our
speech is a tool of incredible power and we must each be careful to use it in a
way that will redeem the world. Shabbat Shalom!
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