בס”ד
This blog post is a summary of a powerful lesson on the significance of words, as explored in the parsha Tazria. It’s definitely worth watching the full lesson on YouTube for a deeper insight. Here, we share some key ideas and practical lessons on how we can use our speech in daily life to build rather than break.
The Power of Words in Today’s World
Imagine a world where every word you speak leaves a visible mark—where an insult leaves a bruise on the wall, and a kind word is written in gold. Would we speak differently? Would we listen differently?
In the parsha Tazria, we encounter the mysterious condition of Sarat. This condition affected not only the skin of a person, but also their clothing and even the walls of their house. It wasn’t a physical disease, but a spiritual condition, often caused by the misuse of speech. The Torah teaches us that speech holds immense power, and the way we use our words has profound consequences—not just for individuals, but for entire communities.
The Consequences of Misusing Words
In today’s digital world, a single word can travel across the globe in seconds. Social media has become a virtual battleground, where “free speech” is often twisted into a license for cruelty and public shaming. Think about the most-watched videos: the ones that destroy someone’s career or tear someone down. This creates a craving to see others fail.
Tazria reminds us that words are never neutral—they either build or break. The Torah says, “The person with Sarat must be removed from the community.” Why? Not as punishment, but because words are the glue that binds people together. The misuse of speech—whether it’s gossip or shaming—tears apart trust and disrupts the community. It’s a natural consequence to temporarily isolate someone so they can reflect and heal.
Speech as a Sacred Power
In the world of online platforms, speech is often used as a tool for humiliation and hate. It seems that the power of words is overlooked, while the Torah teaches us that words are not simply tools—they are sacred forces that can build or destroy. Imagine if every piece of gossip or cruel post left a mark on your skin. Sarat made the consequences of words visible. Just as God created the world through words, we create or destroy with our speech.
This leads us to an important point: the question that Tazria asks is not “Am I allowed to say this?” but “Does what I say help or harm?” The Torah teaches that even truthful words may sometimes need to be withheld if they cause unnecessary harm. The Talmud compares public shaming to murder. This is a confronting thought in an age where free speech is often seen as a right—even when it harms others.
The Responsibility of Speech
For a “free speech absolutist,” speech is seen as a neutral tool. But the Torah teaches us that speech is a sacred power that must be used with moral responsibility. The ideal outcome of speech in the Torah is not a “marketplace of ideas,” but the creation of a holy and dignified society. The goal is not freedom without boundaries, but speech that brings blessings and not destruction.
Practical Actions for Noahides
What can we, as people following the Noahide path, learn from Tazria? It begins with responsibility. It’s not just about what you are allowed to say, but whether what you say heals or harms. Here are some practical steps you can take to make your words more healing:
- Think before you speak. Ask yourself: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?
- Use your words to bless others. Compliment, thank, and encourage others.
- Avoid gossip and online hate. Step out of the cycle of digital outrage and shaming.
- Reflect weekly. Ask yourself: Did my words heal or harm this week?
- Build communities with words. Use your speech to bring people together with dignity and hope.
Conclusion: Words as Sacred Forces
In the parsha Tazria, we learn that speech is not an invisible process. It leaves marks—on our souls, our communities, and the world. We can be people who speak light into darkness, who heal with words, and who build rather than break. As the Torah teaches us: “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Let’s choose to be creators of light with every choice we make, including the words we speak.
By Rabbi Tani Burton
More shiurim of Rabbi Tani Burton
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