Let’s go back for a moment to the times of the Bais Hamikdash. As the Torah relates, times were different - very different. Imagine, if you will, what happened then when you spoke lashon hara. A nega, a sort of unwashable mole started growing in your beard... and of course, you had to shave off your beard. Uh oh. Everyone knew. You had to quarantine (no getting out of it) out of town for a while. No shul for you, no work. Your kids were embarrassed. Your family was shamed. Where did Tatty go?
But wait, this answers the question that many commentaries have on the usage of the word “vehaya” in the portion that talks about tzaraas: וְהָיָ֨ה הַנֶּ֜גַע יְרַקְרַ֣ק | א֣וֹ אֲדַמְדָּ֗ם בַּבֶּ֩גֶד֩ א֨וֹ בָע֜וֹר אֽוֹ־ בַשְּׁתִ֤י אֽוֹ־בָעֵ֨רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בְכָל־כְּלִי־ע֔וֹר נֶ�֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְהָרְאָ֖ה אֶת־הַכֹּהֵֽן. The word, “vehaya”, Chazal tells us, is used to describe moments of great joy.
But why now of all places, does the Torah use the word vehaya here – what joy can there possibly be in having to leave home, be embarrassed...That’s joy?
The answer of course is very deep. In times of yore, we hesitated to speak lashon hara because of the swift consequences. Nowadays, however, there is no such retribution. We can speak freely about anyone we wish, without any negaim, any blemishes. And therefore, unfortunately, we speak ill of others, even though we know we should not.
But once, a long time ago, we refrained...and this refraining brought us great joy. It brought us great joy knowing we were doing the right thing and not ending up in quarantine (sound familiar?). Therefore, we did not speak ill of others! And if we did, we got our kapara right away...amazing.
It is vitally important that we hear this message, now above all other years. Hashem is telegraphing us; we must receive it! With G-ds help, this year let us take pause and try our best to refrain from speaking lashon hara, rechilus, and onaas devorim (hurtful words). Perhaps in this zechus we will hear good news from Artzeinu hakedosha and curtail sinah (hatred) from the nations of the world!
Let’s learn the rules of how a Jew should talk...how a Jew should behave. The holy Chofetz Chayim wrote several sefarim we can learn, and the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation continues his work with many new books and innovative material in English. Don’t worry... It is within our reach.
“Beficha ubelevovcha la’asoso.” Literally, we can achieve so much with our power of speech. Remember – our hearts truly desire to do the right thing. Hashem has given us the power to speak. Can we let Him down?
As we move ever closer to Pesach this Shabbos Hagadol, let us do something big- something truly gadol!
Rabbi Scheiner
