PARSHAT METZORA – LIVING TOGETHER AND SPEAKING KINDLY

בס”ד

In the Torah there is a story (Leviticus 14:1-3).

There is a person who spoke badly about others.
This is called lashon hara.

Bad words hurt.
They make people sad or angry.
And they can push people apart.

Because of this, something happens:

A sign appears on the person’s skin.
And he must live outside the camp for a while.
All alone for a time.

Not because he no longer matters.
But so he can think quietly:

“What I said was not right. I want to do better.”

For example:

Imagine you are at school and you say:
“He always cheats when he plays!”

Then that child feels sad.
And maybe others don’t want to play with him anymore.

That is why the Torah teaches:
think carefully before you speak.
Because words can hurt someone.

For Noahides this is also important:
we must build a good world together.
And that includes speaking kindly and not gossiping.

The lesson is:

Be careful with your words.
Be kind to others.
And stay connected to the people around you.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein and Angelique Sijbolts

If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN