Rabbi Frand on Parshas Metzora
These divrei Torah were adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissocher
Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Tapes on the weekly portion: Tape # 235, Cesarean
Section Births. Good Shabbos!
The Gossip of "Men of Distinction"
The bulk of last week's parsha as well as the bulk of this week's parsha
deals with the laws of the Metzorah. The Talmud tells us [Eruchin 15b] that
one of the causes of this "leprosy-like" impurity was improper speech
(Lashon Horah). In Biblical times, when a person spoke Lashon Horah he
received a Heavenly warning that he should "watch his mouth". This warning
came in the form of the affliction of Tzoraas. A person so afflicted needed
to be brought to the Kohen.
Rav Nissan Alpert, zt"l, comments that when the Torah uses the term 'Adam'
(as opposed to 'Ish') to denote a person, it connotes a degree of importance
and prestige. Therefore it seems peculiar that in the parsha of Metzorah,
which deals with afflictions brought upon people who speak Lashon Horah,
the Torah should begin by using the term 'Adam'.
Rav Alpert concludes that the measure of a person -- in terms of whether or
not he is a distinguished person -- is not dependent on whether or not he
engages in Lashon Horah. A person can even be a distinguished person ("Adam
Chashuv") and yet engage in improper speech. What separates the normal
person who gossips from the "Adam Chashuv" who engages in Lashon Horah? The
difference is the latter's desire to change. A person can be a distinguished
person, and yet stumble in the sin of Lashon Horah. However, as long as he
retains a desire to improve himself in this area -- he is still a
distinguished person.
It is difficult to stop gossiping. The normal inclination is not to seek
improvement or change in this area. "And he shall be brought to Aharon the
Kohen" [Vayikra 13:2] means he has to force himself to go to the Kohen to
seek remedy for his condition. He does not really want to go. He goes
kicking and screaming.
A distinguished person can succumb to Lashon Horah. It happens to the best
of us. But that which separates the 'Adam' from the 'Ish' (the distinguished
person from the ordinary person) is that the former does something about it.
He forces himself to become better. He forces himself to seek out atonement.
He drags himself to the Kohen. "And he shall be brought to Aharon the
Kohen."
A Matter of "Life and Death" -- For Rav Issar Zalman
Rav Issar Zalman Meltzer (1870-1953) was a great genius and Tzaddik
[righteous person]. Rav Issar Zalman Meltzer was sitting in his study one
Chol HaMoed, the "Intermediate days of the Festival," with Rav Dovid
Finkel. [During these days, basic work is permitted, but activities such
as writing are avoided unless absolutely necessary.] Rav Issar Zalman asked
Rav Dovid Finkel for a pencil and paper to write something down. Rav Dovid
Finkel questioned his mentor, "Rebbe, how can you write something down, it
is Chol HaMoed?" Rav Issar Zalman responded that the issue is a matter of
great urgency, "almost like a life and death issue".
Rav Dovid Finkel became all excited and asked, "Rebbe, what's wrong? What is
the matter with you?" Rav Issar Zalman brushed him off. "There is nothing
really the matter. It is just that for me this is something almost akin to a
life-or-death matter."
Rav Dovid Finkel brought the pencil and paper and Rav Issar Zalman wrote
down a pasuk [verse] from Proverbs [Mishlei 4:25] "Let your eyes look ahead,
and your eyes will direct your path."
Rav Dovid Finkel was perplexed. "This was the life-or-death matter -- just
to write down a pasuk that you already knew by heart?"
Rav Issar Zalman explained. "Hundreds and hundreds of Jews come to visit me
and wish me 'Gut Yom Tov' during the course of Chol HaMoed. Some of the
people who come in are not the most distinguished residents of Jerusalem.
Included among those who visit are many who are mishugaim (crazies),
braggarts, ignoramuses, etc. I have to sit here, patiently, with person
after person and smile. Sometimes I am tempted to lash out and lose
my patience. I need something to hold me back. Every year, before Chol
HaMoed, I write down this pasuk to remind me of its homiletic
interpretation: 'When your eyes look at someone else, turn your eyes
inward'. (In other words 'Do not look at HIS shortcomings, look at your own
shortcomings'.) This is critically important to me, to have this pasuk
sitting on my desk so that I will not criticize (mentally). I absolutely
need that. When people come in, I look at this pasuk and think to myself 'Do
not think about them; think about yourself'. This year, I forgot to write
down the pasuk before Yom Tov. For me, it was vital to write down the pasuk
-- even on Chol HaMoed!"
Rav Issar Zalman felt that this lesson -- of taking extra care to avoid
criticizing and looking at the faults of others -- was truly akin to a
matter of life or death.
There are only two types of people in the world -- those who view the glass
as half empty and those who view the glass as half full. Those who speak
Lashon Horah always view the glass as half-empty. The people who view the
glass as half full are not the critics and faultfinders, but they are the
happy people in life who can see the positive in their spouses, their
children and their surroundings. As such they are happier people.
Lashon Horah is destructive not only to the person about whom it is spoken -
- it is destructive to the person who speaks it himself, because it teaches
him to be negative and that is a terrible thing.
This week's write-up is adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissochar
Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Torah Tapes on the weekly Torah portion (#235).
The corresponding halachic portion for this tape is: Cesarean Section
Births. The other halachic portions for Parshas Tazria/Metzora from the
Commuter Chavrusah Series are:
Also Available: Mesorah / Artscroll has published a collection of Rabbi Frand's essays. The book is entitled:
and is available through your local Hebrew book store or from Project Genesis, 1-410-654-1799.
