A Thought On Parshas Metzora
A Thought On Parshas Metzora
"...v'Nosati nega tzaras ba'beis..."
"...and I will inflict a blight sign on the dwellings..." (14:34)
The Torah forecasts how our nation might encounter peculiar events upon entering the Holy Land. HaShem says that different forms of tzaras affliction will surface, at times in the form of a strange blight affecting the dwellings. The stone houses would have to be demolished and could not be lived in nor their stones re-used.
Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel cites a tradition that having one's home torn down under those circumstances was not such a tragic event: Chazal have taught us that those homes were once the dwellings of pagans who had lived in the land. Many of them had hidden their treasures within the walls and foundation of their dwellings. When they left the area upon our reclaiming the land which had been promised for us in the days of our forefathers, they also forsook the hidden contents of those stone walls. When the houses became contaminated and could not be used further, and were torn down, their new residents found the precious artifacts left behind there. That way, the loss of the house was a blessing, for it was outweighed by the discovery of hidden wealth. The "dark cloud" had a real "silver lining." Just like a story out of the "Small Miracles" series.
However, asks Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel, we have other sources in Chazal (see Avos D'R' Nosson 9:1) which suggest that having one's house destroyed because of these nega'im was a consequence one's misdeeds. Pious and righteous people did not live in houses which succumbed to the tzaras blight. If those who lost their homes were less than perfect, how is it that they deserved or merited to come out on top with the unearthing of valuables?
Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel reasons that we must remember that all that befalls a person is decreed during the days between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur. Good people may merit good tidings. Those who live lives of iniquity may fare less well. Those who are in between may experience something in between. He suggests that if someone discovers treasures, he must deserve them. He must have done some things right to earn such an unexpected reward. However, someone who is pure and good will make his profit in a way which is direct and dignified. The truly deserving person will find his riches without an ordeal or preliminary loss. One who has to loose his house as a precursor to getting his reward needs to examine the manner in which he was given his gift. If it came through a less savory and less pleasant means, there is a message in that as well.
It is not enough to rejoice in our bounty, even if we express our gratitude to HaShem. It is also important to ponder the ways in which good things happen to us, and to study their mode of presentation. Did everything flow smoothly, did wonderful events come to us quickly, or did good things happen only after we went through some difficult times? My great chavrusa Rav Dovid Brown zt'l used to quote the philosopher Marshall McLuhan who said, "the medium is the message." In looking at our life events, even the ones which turn out positively, Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel suggests that there is a message within the medium as well.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
"...v'Nosati nega tzaras ba'beis..."
"...and I will inflict a blight sign on the dwellings..." (14:34)
The Torah forecasts how our nation might encounter peculiar events upon entering the Holy Land. HaShem says that different forms of tzaras affliction will surface, at times in the form of a strange blight affecting the dwellings. The stone houses would have to be demolished and could not be lived in nor their stones re-used.
Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel cites a tradition that having one's home torn down under those circumstances was not such a tragic event: Chazal have taught us that those homes were once the dwellings of pagans who had lived in the land. Many of them had hidden their treasures within the walls and foundation of their dwellings. When they left the area upon our reclaiming the land which had been promised for us in the days of our forefathers, they also forsook the hidden contents of those stone walls. When the houses became contaminated and could not be used further, and were torn down, their new residents found the precious artifacts left behind there. That way, the loss of the house was a blessing, for it was outweighed by the discovery of hidden wealth. The "dark cloud" had a real "silver lining." Just like a story out of the "Small Miracles" series.
However, asks Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel, we have other sources in Chazal (see Avos D'R' Nosson 9:1) which suggest that having one's house destroyed because of these nega'im was a consequence one's misdeeds. Pious and righteous people did not live in houses which succumbed to the tzaras blight. If those who lost their homes were less than perfect, how is it that they deserved or merited to come out on top with the unearthing of valuables?
Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel reasons that we must remember that all that befalls a person is decreed during the days between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur. Good people may merit good tidings. Those who live lives of iniquity may fare less well. Those who are in between may experience something in between. He suggests that if someone discovers treasures, he must deserve them. He must have done some things right to earn such an unexpected reward. However, someone who is pure and good will make his profit in a way which is direct and dignified. The truly deserving person will find his riches without an ordeal or preliminary loss. One who has to loose his house as a precursor to getting his reward needs to examine the manner in which he was given his gift. If it came through a less savory and less pleasant means, there is a message in that as well.
It is not enough to rejoice in our bounty, even if we express our gratitude to HaShem. It is also important to ponder the ways in which good things happen to us, and to study their mode of presentation. Did everything flow smoothly, did wonderful events come to us quickly, or did good things happen only after we went through some difficult times? My great chavrusa Rav Dovid Brown zt'l used to quote the philosopher Marshall McLuhan who said, "the medium is the message." In looking at our life events, even the ones which turn out positively, Rabbeinu Chaim Paltiel suggests that there is a message within the medium as well.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 9:21 PM
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