Page 333 - VAIKRA

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There are many extraordinary procedures concerning the purification of 11 vaikra
the metzora. First of all, why is a bird slaughtered and its blood sprinkled
seven times? Why is the living bird dipped in the blood of the slaughtered
bird? This seems like cruelty to animals. Why is the living bird set free?
What is the point in mixing the blood of the slaughtered bird with spring
water? Why does the defiled person have to come specifically to the
Kohen and not go to another Torah authority? Without doubt, we do not
fully understand the words of the Torah, but we may attempt to explain
this subject.

The Torah commands that the purification be done via the Kohen, since
the Kohen would receive gifts from the nation. Often, a person would feel
pangs of envy for the Kohen. Thinking negatively about his fellow is what
ultimately leads one to speak lashon hara. Therefore, his rectification is The rectification for one who embarrasses his fellow, who was created in
executed only by the Kohen. the image of Hashem, is that Hashem removes His image from him.
Consequently, the person is considered dead. One who speaks lashon hara
The purification process required two birds to indicate that just as birds causes his victim to lose favor with others. For this reason, one who
twitter and peck at one another, likewise, the slanderer behaves in this way slanders is afflicted with tzara’at. Consequently, he loses favor with
as well. One bird was slaughtered, and the other bird was set free to people and is obligated to dwell in isolation outside the camp.
signify that the one who spoke lashon hara spilled his fellow’s blood and At the end of masechet Ketubot it states that in the days preceding
continued on his merry way. Therefore, the living bird is dipped in the Mashiach’s arrival, the resha’im of the generation will unfairly accuse the
blood of the bird that was slaughtered so that the person should realize tzaddikim. Thereafter, the Gemara concludes with the happy tiding that in
that the blood of his fellow was spilled because of him.
the future the barren trees will give fruit. We might think that precisely in
Another reason for setting the bird free is that Bnei Yisrael are compared the days prior to Mashiach’s arrival it would be more appropriate for the
to a dove. The dove can fly only because it possesses wings. The wings resha’im to recognize the righteousness of the tzaddikim instead of
of Bnei Yisrael are their Torah scholars, because without the Torah slandering them. Also, it is perplexing why the Gemara concludes
scholars it is impossible to advance spiritually. A person who distances specifically with the message that the barren trees will give fruit.
himself from Torah scholars will end up speaking lashon hara. We may wonder why the Torah is exacting with one who speaks lashon

The Kohen places the water in an earthenware vessel, which symbolizes hara, since his words are true. Moreover, why is he considered as one who
humility, since there is no method to purify earthenware other than defames his fellow? The reason is because there are two sides to every
breaking it. This indicates that a person who sins should correct his coin. Everything can be viewed either in a negative way or in a positive
character traits by becoming humble, breaking the trait of arrogance. way. If a person chooses to see the negative aspects of his friend, it proves
Humility prevents a person from speaking lashon hara. that he is envious of him. Therefore, the Torah is exacting with his