Parasha Thoughts |
By Rabbi Yosef Khakshoor
In this week’s parasha, Parashat Tazria, we learn that if a person speaks Lashon Hara and feels that he may have gotten Tzaraat (Leprosy), he must go to the Kohen to treat his situation. The Kohen will then look at the spot on the person’s body and say whether he is pure or impure. The Kohen does not take any concrete action to treat the spots on the person’s body. Just by the simple verbal announcement of “Pure†or “Impure,†the person becomes Tahor or Tamei.
The Chofetz Chaim says that a person who speaks Lashon Hara may think that since he is not taking any concrete action to hurt someone physically or cause them financial loss etc, then he is not really causing any harm by just verbally gossiping about another person. However, the same way that a Kohen’s words are effective and make someone pure or impure, negative words will also cause physical, financial, and emotional damage to another person. Therefore, we must use our power of speech constructively in order not to cause harm or damage to others.