In this week's Parsha we learn about the Tzaraas - psoriasis, a punishment for speaking Lashon Hara.
The Passuk (Vayikra 13-2) tells us about a person who has different shades of Tzaraas on their skin. The person has to go to Aharon Hakohen or any other Kohen who determines if the person becomes Tamei - contaminated or not.
The Maoer Vashemesh takes the Passuk out of its literal translation and gives an amazing explanation and an important message.
Many times we feel a spiritual elevation and possibly even reaching higher levels of spirituality, closeness and connection to Hashem.
But most of the time we don't stay on that level. We end up dropping back down to where we were holding before, sometimes even worse.
And like a leaf on the tree or on the ground, the wind comes and blows it very high. But when the wind stops the leaf falls back down into the mud.
Why is that?
The answer is because it is superficial. It isn't really us. We still have many sins we haven't put right and that stops the spirituality from penetrating into our souls.
What is the solution?
The Maor Vashemesh explains that a person has to be connected to a Tzaddik. The Tzaddik can bring the person to Teshuva and help us become a better person.
(Obviously the best is to be connected to a live Tzaddik and learn from their ways. But not always is it possible for various reasons. However, one can also be connected to a Tzaddik through studying their Divrei Torah, their Mussar and trying to follow in their ways, even if the Tzaddik isn't alive.)
With this idea, the Maor Vashemesh explains the Passuk.
By Rabbi Dovid Caro
Parshas Tazria 5784
A person who has on their skin, 'Se'es' which also means elevation. 'Sapachas' which also means connection. 'Baheres' which also means clarity.
But the problem is, says the Maor Vashemesh that it's only on the skin, on the outside. It hasn't penetrated inside. The reason is because the person has the plague of Tzaraas, referring to the person's sins.
What can they do?
Go to Aharon Hakohen the Tzaddik and he can help you out. He can help you get back on track and do Teshuva.
There is an interesting argument between Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish in the Gemara Sanhedrin (101.).
The Passuk says that when Mashiach comes Hashem will take one person from a city, two from a family.
Reish Lakish explains that only a few Tzaddikim will be saved.
Rabbi Yochanan disagrees and holds that the one or two Tzaddikim in the city will save everyone from the city.
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky explains that even according to Rabbi Yochanan, the Tzaddik only has the ability to save the people that were connected to him, helped him in his Avodas Hashem or used the connection with the Tzaddik to become a better Jew. But the Tzaddik cannot save the person who has no connection to the Tzaddik, may not merit to be saved through the Tzaddik.
Not all of us have the opportunity or possibility to be connected to a Tzaddik or great Rabbi. But we can learn the Torah of Tzaddikim, their messages in Avodas Hashem and try and follow their holy ways. That will give us a connection to them and enable their merit to save us.
