דבר תורה פרשת תזריע

דבר תורה פרשת תזריע

This week's parsha speaks about the punishment for someone who speaks Lashon Hara. If someone is speaking Lashon Hara, they begin to get this skin disease called Tzraat. Once this person sees that they have Tzraat they need to spend time separated from everyone else, outside of the camp. The Cohen comes to look at their condition very sporadically. He checks how they are doing and then comes back 7 days later.

Why does the Cohen wait 7 days to check their skin again? Why can't he come every day to look and see how their disease is healing?

There is an important lesson to be learned from here. If a person looks at the same thing every day it will always look similar to him. It is very hard to see change if he is constantly looking and evaluating it. The best way to evaluate change is by taking a step back and reviewing it at a later time.

While we try to grow and develop into better and more aware people, it is important for us not to get discouraged if we don't see instant change. Change takes time, and the best way to evaluate the changes that we make is by giving ourselves the time and not getting impatient when we do not see the results right away. After time, it is exciting to look back and realize how much we have accomplished.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Penn