April 10, 2008 To tell the truth Parshat Metzora (Leviticus
14:1-15:33) However, as our commentators explain, biblical
leprosy was something very different from the bacterial leprosy
of modern times that is attributed to the bacillus Mycobacterium
leprae. Biblical leprosy traces to a different kind of disease,
an infection permeating the spirit and the soul, the disease of
lashon hara (or its Ashkenazic variant spelling, lashon hara):
evil talk, tale bearing and gossip. Thus, the deeply righteous
Miriam, one of the saintliest women in Jewish history, is
stricken temporarily with the tzora'at when she speaks
improperly of her brother, Moses, and his wife Tziporah (Numbers
12:10). Some commentators see a manifestation of comparable
punishment when Moses himself stands before Hashem atop the
mountain of the burning bush, saying that he hesitates to accept
the mantle of leadership being placed on his shoulders because
the Jews will not accept him. The Voice tells Moses to put his
hand in his cloak and immediately