One of the fascinating oddities of the mystery of the Metzora is that the Moshiach is said to be stricken with leprosy! Now this seems odd that the redeemer of all the sinners of the world would
be afflicted with the punishment of gossiper who cause strife. After all, Moshiach is supposed to bring peace to all men . Even if he suffers for our sins why should the suffering be that of a divisive
sinner?
As mentioned before, the reason why the effect of gossip i.e. loshon hora , is not with our generations is because of the insensitivity in general to the pain of others , as well as spiritual numbness. Only those who should and ordinarilly are capable of feeling another's pain woukd be afflicted by loshon hora.
On a deeper level it is the sensitivity towards others that triggers the Tzoraas. Because the person ordinarily felt others' pain but was insensitive at other occasions was what brought on the allergic reaction to the loshon hora. This was twofold 1) to realize the pain loshon hora inflicts upon others
and 2) to feel badly for the imperfections in the other person or his circumstances and pray for
their correction.
In other words the Tzoraas was much more than a punishment. It was an extreme form of sensitivity training. Furthermore the more the Tzarua would feel the needs of others the more pain from the Tzoraas he would have . The effect of Tzoraas is not a punishment but the sensitization of one's
feelings towards another. the more he felt the greater became the size of the Tzoraas.
When a person grieves excessively people can't stand being with him. That is why the Tzorua was sent out of the camp as people wouldn't be able to bear the pain he felt for others. This is also why the Tzorua was considered Tahor if the rash spread all over his body. This could only mean that the pain of others had permeated every fiber of his being. He could then be declared Tahor as he epitomized the sensitive and charitable soul.
This is precisely the role of Moshiach! He will feel so much of our pain that this will cause him top break out in a rash. Only when we see this kind of love and care for others will we know that the Moshiach has truly come!
Friday, April 20, 2007
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