Parshas Tazriah-Metzorah 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
אדם כי יהיה בעור בשרו שאת או ספחת או בהרת והיה בעור בשרו לנגע צרעת ... (יג-ב)
In this week’s Parsha, we learn that for certain aveiros, a person would be subject to a Nega, a form of leprosy. And while such a condition may form on the person’s skin, the Seforno points out that it was a pure miracle to occur on clothing or bricks of a house! Hashem does this to wake a person up, and give him a reminder about Who is truly behind everything that happens in the world, even what seems like a natural occurrence. R’ Yeruchem Levovitz zt”l, Mirrer Mashgiach, broadens this idea. If you want to explain what water is, the answer is pretty basic. But upon further scrutiny, water is quite complex. It involves hydrogen and oxygen atoms, a coalescent bonding, and the formation of polar molecules. When Hashem performs miracles, it opens our minds and changes our perspective. What we assume to be ordinary is anything if not extraordinary!
Recently, a video circulated of a plane carrying Jewish families that skidded off the runway. The fuselage broke apart and the wheels landed a distance from the plane’s body. The videographer is incredulously thanking Hashem for the clear miracle, saving every man, woman and child on that plane. We’ve heard about other aerial disasters lately that did not have such happy outcomes. Clear miracles happen, and we should use them to strengthen our belief in Hashem’s existence and control.
The posuk in Mishlei says, "שוט לסוס, מתג לחמור, ושבט לגו כסלים" - a whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, and a rod for the back of a fool. The Vilna Gaon zt”l explains, without a whip, a horse will not get its rider to the desired location. But once trained, the horse only needs the whip to be raised, and it knows to follow commands. The more stubborn donkey requires actual reins to be guided. But the most obstinate of all is the fool, who refuses to get inspired. Even the clearest message from Hashem, cannot get the dullard to draw closer to the One giving the messages. Don’t be worse than a donkey. Wake up and hear the clear message!
May we taka be zoche to the fulfillment of ונאכל שם מן הזבחים ומן הפסחים, speedily and in our days!