If You Don’t Have Something Nice To Say..
- Posted on AprpmWed, 26 Apr 2017 19:34:11 -05002017-04-26T19:34:11-05:0007 17, 2016
- in Bible, God, Hebrew, Messiah, metzora, Study, Tazria, Torah, Yeshua
- by Hallelujah Girl
In today’s world we find it difficult to relate and understand the descriptions and rituals outlined for us in this week’s Torah Portions Tazria and Metzora. Even the Sages have different explanations for the Niddah period (laws of family purity), and the affliction known as tzara’at, צרעת, (biblical skin disease often translated as leprosy) .
So we study and attempt to understand. We know that by doing this we receive merit from the Holy One.
The Rabbis of the Mishnah (Oral Law) and Talmid (Jewish Law) both conclude that tzara’at comes from Lashon hara (Evil speech). We know that the Torah does not contain unimportant material and the Word of the Holy One is NOT to be tampered with. Throughout the ages we find meaning and moral lessons from the words of the Torah.
Part of the ritual of purification from tzara’at was to be put in isolation–outside the city or camp. If your behavior, speech, or attitude towards fellow human beings is morally deficient then being quarantined is really the best place to be. The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us to “pursue shalom with everyone...”(Hebrews12:14). Paul writes in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt…”. 1 Peter 2:1 adds, ” So get rid of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all lashon hara.”
We may not actually see or experience biblical tzara’at today, but just maybe the “moral to the story” can be better understood, “If you don’t have something nice to say–don’t say anything at all” (famous words spoken by my mother).
When we speak we speak evil of someone, for example, gossip, slander, or spreading rumors, we not only harm the person we are speaking about, but we harm ourselves and the person we are telling. Plus every time the “evil speech” is repeated it’s like the offense is happening again and again.
Afflicting a person with tzara’at and placing them in isolation might just be the Holy One’s way of giving His children a “time out”.
Shalom, Happy Day! 🙂
Hallelujah Girl
Tags: #ReadYourBible #ItsAllAboutYeshua #TorahIsTruth, Lashon hara, metzora, Tazria, Time Out, Torah Study