This week’s Parshah is Tazria. As we know there is a link between each Parshah and the one preceding and following it. The link between our Parshah and next week’s Parshah of Metzorah is simple as they both speak about a person who speaks Loshon Hara and is punished with a spiritual malady similar to leprosy. However last week’s Parshah speaks about the laws of kosher animals and the connection seems odd.
Jews have always taken pride in Kosher. For some that mean Cholov Yisroel, and for some it means Glatt meat. For some it’s just keeping Kosher within the home and for some it might just mean gefilta fish or kosher pickles. Yet even if it is just for Pesach or even if it’s just an added bonus, Kosher has always been an important part of our culture.
We are all very careful watching what goes into our mouth but many are lax when regarding what leaves it. The Torah compares embarrassing someone to murder and a word of gossip to a warrior’s arrow that once fired can never be undone that can hurt someone even if they are at a distance. The sages teach us that Loshon Hara hurts three people; the one who says it, the one who hears it, and the one it is said about.
We must all remember that our bodies are not ours but they are Hashem’s and He gave them to us as a gift. Just as we must be strict with what we let into our bodies, we must be strict with what we put out into the world. Hashem created teeth and lips providing two guards for our mouths, and we must strive to speak in a manner befitting G-d’s children.
May we soon see the day when no evil word is spoken and all mankind will join together and state proudly together, “Hashem G-d is King and His dominion rules over all” with the coming of Moshiach. Amen
This week’s Thought is dedicated to Clara Bracha and Shloimy. May you guys Have many happy and healthy years together and may we soon see the day when we are all together in Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshaich. Amen
