The Mishna in Berachos (28b) says, ‘R’ Nechunya ben Hakana would pray a short prayer upon entering and leaving the Bais HaMedrash. They said to him, “What is the nature of this prayer?” He said to them, “When I enter I pray that a mishap not come about through me, and when I exit I give thanks for my portion.”’ The Gemara elaborates, ‘The Rabbis taught: Upon entering what does one say? May it be Your will, Hashem, my G-d, that a mishap not come about through me.’
This Tefillah that R’ Nechunya instituted when entering the Bais HaMedrash, and we have to learn a kal v’chomer, if upon entering a holy place like a Bais HaMedrash we must pray that a mishap not come about because of us, how much more so when we enter a place that is not a Bais HaMedrash...
We all know the description of the teaching regarding the metzora after the Kohen pronounces him tamei [unclean], he goes about the streets (13:45) 'וטמא טמא יקרא' – ‘he is to call out “Impure! Impure!”’, he announces about himself that he is tamei. In our hearts we are troubled by the suffering of the metzora who must be embarrassed to this extent and announce that he is tamei. Perhaps we might even think that he is so embarrassed because he spoke lashan hara, and this is part of his punishment. Perhaps this is also part of the reason he announces this.
But the real reason is as Rashi explains, ‘He is to call out, “Impure! Impure!” – he informs others that he is impure and they keep away from him.’ That is, the main reason that he must announce that he is tamei, is so that people will hear and stay away from him, and by doing this, he will not cause other people to become tamei through him.
We see from this posuk how important it is to be careful that no mishap comes about because of us, and it is not for nothing that R’ Nechunya instituted this prayer upon entering a Bais HaMedrash, because that is where he ruled on halachas, and so it was very important for him to pray for this.
This is ruled as halacha in Shulchan Aruch and all seforim on halacha to say this prayer, and of course, it is not only in the Bais HaMedrash where one must be careful with this, but rather, in every place. A Jew, wherever he is found and with every action that he does, he must be careful that no mishap happens because of him. And where there is concern that we might cause a mishap, it is better to be embarrassed publicly and announce, “Impure! Impure!”. By doing this, we forego our honor so long as we do not cause a chilul kevod Shamayim – a disgrace to Heaven. May it be His will that we never cause a mishap.
-Tiv HaTorah Tazria
