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ABOUT US
The words "Torah Tavlin" are best known from a phrase in the Gemara in the tractate Kiddushin: "בראתי יצר הרע ובראתי לו תורה תבלין" - "I created the Yetzer Hara, and I've also the Torah Tavlin" - as an antidote; it is only in this passage that the context compels this translation. The word “Tavlin” has many understandings in the teachings of Chazal, but it is literally translated as “Spices.” Just as a master chef will employ a refreshing blend of spices and ingredients to make his culinary creation into a masterpiece, so too, does Hashem blend together a Divine brand of seasoning - “Tavlin” - into His Living Torah for us to absorb, each according to our individual understanding. Through the countless pages of our commentators, from thousands of years ago up to the present day, we “taste” these spices in every word and posuk in the Torah, and our intellectual senses are overloaded. It is the “Sam Hachaim” - the elixir of life, and the truest manner to experience the Torah.
THE WEEKLY MESSAGE
Parshas Tazriah-Metzorah
“On the seventh day the Kohen shall conduct an examination …”
The Ben Ish Chai, R' Yosef Hayyim of Baghdad zt”l notes that the only difference between the word "נגע" - affliction, and "ענג” - pleasure, is that in the word "נגע”, the letter "ע" is at the end of the word, whereas in the word “ענג” the "ע" is its first letter.
This is what is meant by the posuk "החכם עיניו בראשו" - "A wise man has his eyes ['ayin'] in his front." The meaning of this is that a wise and intelligent person places the "ayin" in front, thus changing "נגע” into “ענג” - affliction into pleasure.
Thus, when the kohen sees that "the affliction has remained in its appearance," that the "ע" has stayed in its place and the negah has not changed into oneg, then, "he shall close him off", and the leper shall remain impure.
This is what Dovid Hamelech writes, “הנה עין ה’ אל יראיו למיחלים לחסדו וגו” - "Behold, Hashem's eye is directed to those who fear Him, those who anticipate His kindness" (Tehillim 33).
The tzadikim have the ability through their prayers to move the "ayin" - and transform the negah into oneg.
TT WEEKLY POSTS
