Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
This year, as we read about tzaraas in Tazria and its reason for existence (our speaking negatively of others). Let us explore the causes and cures for lashon hara.
In the early 1900s in Russia, Mendel Beilus was on trial in Russia. Accused of killing a young Russian boy and using his blood for ritual purposes (matzo baking), Beilus was the modern victim of a classic medieval blood libel. The Russian government had taken the legal tack of trying to convince the jury that this practice was common amongst the Jews and even sanctioned by the sages.
The clever prosecutors isolated a saying in the Talmud אתם קרויים אדם ואין עכו“ Loosely translated as “Only the Jewish people have a right to call themselves human beings.” With this statement, they were trying to prove that the killing of a non-Jew is sanctioned by the Talmud. Incredible by today's standards, but it happened!
Rav Yaakov Mazah (his last name an acronym for Mi zera Aharon haKohein, “from the descendants of Aharon Hakohen”) was called from across the country to testify and formulate a response to this loaded accusation.
“Your honor”, Harav Mazah began. “Of all the words in the Hebrew language used to describe man, the word Adam אדם is the only word which is exactly the same in both the singular and plural forms.
“Our Rabbis have chosen this word to describe man, not to, G-d forbid justify killing, but to demonstrate the high level of importance placed on unity by the Jewish People. The strongest proof of this is that I, myself, was rushed here, hundreds of kilometers from my home, to defend a Jewish man I have never met before, because we are indeed one people.
“If I am not successful in his defense, then terrible pogroms could break out at any moment. This too is proof that only we, the Jewish people are considered as “one person”. For even if Mr. Beilus is guilty, and he is not, but even if he were, I ask you: What crime did the entire Jewish people do, to be victimized as one?.. It follows that you too, the nations of the world, consider us as one person, one body, one connected person! One Adam.”
The Alshich asks two salient questions. Why does the Torah subject only the Jewish people to the laws of speech and its consequent punishments. Furthermore, why is the word Adam אדם used in this context? Traditionally, Adam אדם is used to describe a more complete or higher form of mankind.
Following Rav Mazah – one question answers the other! The Jewish people alone are one body – we are all connected, and this idea is represented by the use of the word Adam. If one speaks lashon hara against a Jew, we as a nation can break apart, whereas in the non-Jewish community, there is no such unity. Breaking apart a nation that is already divided warrants no punishment!
The Alshich continues, tzaraas must be brought to Aharon HaKohen, because there is an important lesson to be learned. One whose speech causes strife is commanded to go to Aharon Hakohen, whose days were filled with love for every Jew. He alone will teach the speaker of lashon hara to be filled with love for all members of the community!
Good Shabbos!
