QUESTION: Why does HaShem provide an open miracle regarding the Tzara’as on a house (finding the hidden treasure)?
ANSWER: One might think that pain and suffering are a result of the natural order of life. Rather, one must believe that all pain and suffering have a purpose to keep us from sin and to provide a stimulus to Teshuvah. We are called “believers, children of believers” since we have faith that just as by the plague on the houses clearly reveals the Hand of G-d, so we believe regarding all pain and suffering. (לקוטי שיחות כרך א, עמ' 239)
QUESTION: The verse (VaYikra 14, 2) says that the Metzora is brought הובא to the Cohen, implying even against his will. What is the lesson?
ANSWER: No matter where a Jew is found, HaShem always brings opportunities for Teshuvah. However, a person can be brought to the opportunity, but the person has to do Teshuvah from one’s free will in order to make a complete Teshuvah. (לקוטי שיחות כרך ז, עמ' 100)
QUESTION: The name Metzora is connected to Moshiach in our Galus. Moshiach feels the pain of our Galus and that is why he is called a Metzora. What is the lesson for us?
ANSWER: The pain and suffering of Metzora does not affect the internal person, or even most of one’s body, just the most external part of a person, the skin. One’s essence remains the same. In one aspect a Metzora represents a person on a high level who is making the final purification of their most external portion, since the rest is done. The same is with the end times of our Galus, when it appears to be full of suffering and problems, but they are only the final purification of the external. ספר השיחות תנש"א כרך ב, עמ' 78)490 (לקוטי שיחות כרך כב,
QUESTION: Why does Rambam declare the law that if a rich person vows to bring a Korban on behalf of a poor person, he must bring a rich person’s Korban? If he is offering the Korban in the place of the poor person, then should offer the poor-person’s Korban?
ANSWER: To achieve atonement, the two (rich person that made the vow and the poor person that was obligated to bring the korbanos of Metzora) merge identities, and then, the type of korban depends on the status of the maker of the vow. This principle teaches that the Jewish people are one “body” and can feel each other’s problem as their own. (לקוטי שיחות כרך כז, עמ' 101)
QUESTION: HaShem tells the Jews that when they enter the Land, He would reward the Jews with plagues on their houses. What is that?
ANSWER: The Jews destroyed the houses to remove the Tzar’as, they discovered the hidden treasures. When the Jews fulfill their purpose and turn their talk from profane to matters of holiness, we reveal the previously hidden rewards that result. (לקוטי שיחות כרך לב , עמ' 91)
