In last week’s Parasha “Tazria”, we read about the affliction of Tzaaras, which was like a type of leprosy that people got in their skin because of the sin of Lashon Hora (evil speech). In this week’s Parasha “Metzora” we read about the purifying process of the person afflicted with Tzaaras . This person had to be secluded for seven days out of the camp so he /she could feel the same feeling of seclusion that the person being talked about felt and after the seven days he would come to the temple and offer a sin offering.
The word “Metzorah” is a combination of three words “motzi shem ra ” meaning “one who speaks ill of another”.
The Midrash compares our current exile to Tzaaras. The cause of the Galut (exile) is baseless hatred. True Ahavas Yisroel and baseless love nullifies the cause of Galut, and thus brings about the immediate and complete redemption with the coming of Meshiach.
Experts taken from “Pearls For The Shabbat Table” From the teachings of The Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Adapted by Rabbi Yosef Y Alperowitz
