For the past few months, as our Canadian friends watch
coverage of the Presidential Campaign, and, needless to say they can’t believe what
they watch and what they hear. Forget trying to explain primaries, delegates,
conventions or anything else. They are amazed by what comes out of the
candidates’ mouth. They are amazed at the personal insults that are hurled back
and forth. Our children, since they are the “resident Americans” in the school
also are frequently asked by their friends about the Presidential campaign,
about Trump, Cruz, Sanders and Clinton and all the insults and all the
hyperbole and all the gossip, rumor and hearsay that is bandied about in the
respective campaigns. Admittedly, it is rather embarrassing to listen to what
these people say about each other, or in the case of Trump and Cruz, what they
say about each other’s wives. Theoretically it is important to discuss
differences in policy, judgment and temperament. As the
candidates campaign just across Lake Ontario in New York State, unfortunately
the reality is very different. Rather than an intelligent discussion, we are
exposed to gossip, rumors, half- truths hyperbole and Lashon Hara. When asked about another candidate, we are told that they
are unqualified, dangerous, threatens the fabric of life. A more novel approach
would be for the candidate who is asked about another candidate to simply say “I
don’t know”. Such an answer would demonstrated self-control, humility and
probably a lot of wisdom.
This Shabbat we read from Parsha Metzorah. The discussion and laws for Tamei/ Tahor (Purity &
Impurity) as it affects human beings is continued from last week’s Parsha,
Tazria. We continue to learn intricate details concerning how an individual
becomes ritually purified, his/her reentrance into the camp, and the prominent
role of the Kohen Gadol in ascribing a spiritual treatment for a physical
expression of a spiritual problem. Besides discussing the laws of the Metzorah,
the laws of one who suffers from this skin ailment, the Parsha also confronts
the issues of the Metzorah spreading to a house and the method by which that
impurity is removed from the house. The second half of the Parsha concentrates
on the laws of Taharah Mishpachah, the laws of family purity.
When
Tzaraat is discovered on an individual, he or she would go to the Kohen Gadol,
the High Priest, and undergo and examination. However if the Tzaarat spreads
beyond the individual and pollutes the home: U’Vah Asher Lo HaBayit V’Higid LaKohen Leimor- “K’Negah NiReH Li
BaBayit” – And he that owns the house
shall come and tell the priest saying: It seems to me there is as it
were a plague in the house. (Lev. 14:35) Even if the individual sees the
Tzaarat, sees the impurity, knows that it is Tzaarat, the individual cannot and
must not say that “It is plague in the house,” but rather K’Negah literally “It is like a plague”. Rashi
explains that “even if the individual is learned and has no doubt as to the
nature of the plague, he must not utter a definitive judgment, but merely
declare “it seems”. On the surface
Rashi’s comment appears to be focused upon the issue of “Purity and Impurity”,
and reminding us that the authority to decide and declare Purity and Impurity
rests solely upon the High Priest. The
Talmud in Tractate Brachot 4a teaches: I have learned from my Masters that the
wording is not associated with the definition of purity and impurity. Rather,
it serves as a moral lesson, i.e., even in the event of certainty about an
impurity, one should declare it as doubtful. Thus our Sages have stated, “Teach
your tongue to say ‘I do not know’ “. The MaHaRaL of Prague (Rabbi Yehuda Loew
of Prague 1525-1609) takes the lesson a step further. “Since it is but the
priest who establishes the Nega (the plague and its legal implications); he
would not be speaking the truth.” If that individual is not speaking the truth,
then he is speaking Lashon HaRa.
Here in
this simple statement “K’Negah” –It seems to be a plague” is
simplest and most effective way to deal with Lashon HaRa- acknowledge that we
“don’t know” for sure, and that we are not necessarily as authoritative as we
think we are. While I realize a
candidate saying “I don’t know” might indicate a sense of weakness or lack of
knowledge; “I don’t know, ask the other guy” might also be a sign of
empowerment. Rather than sinking to the level of the press, and contributing to
an otherwise nasty environment, “I don’t know, ask the other guy”, suggests
self-discipline, thoughtfulness, and a dignity that the office of the President
deserves.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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