5785/2025
Throughout this week’s double Parashah, the Torah goes into great detail about the Tzara’at, leprosy, that is brought upon someone who speaks Lashon HaRa. The description and emphasis in the Torah are noticeable in that the Torah provides great detail about the process and how the afflicted person becomes pure again. However, if we probe deeper, the goal is to avoid this misstep altogether, as well as reflecting not simply on becoming pure again, but perhaps more importantly reintegrating into the community in a healthy manner that ensures this was a growth and learning experience. What is the secret to this?
Rav Moshe Weinberger, of Aish Kodesh, points out that Chazal note a difference between two words that share the same letters, Oneg and Nega. A Nega, which refers to leprosy, places the letter Ayin before the Nun and Gimmel, whereas Oneg, delight, places the Ayin before the Nun and Gimmel. What is the significance of this difference? It is a matter of perspective. The placement of the Ayin at the end of the word in Nega looks backwards at the preceding letters, whereas the Ayin at the beginning of the word Oneg looks forward. When one looks backwards, retrospectively, he will often see faults and limitations. When Reuven speaks Lashon HaRa about Shimon he sees whatever peculiarities, idiosyncrasies or other things which he focuses on and tells to others. Shimon is who he is and Reuven focuses on those perceived shortcomings. This is because the Ayin is looking backwards. However, if Reuven shifts his perspective towards the future, he can see Shimon as what he can become, focusing on the potential for growth and change. The future is promising; anything is possible. Why take a snapshot of what he sees right now and share that with others, if the reality of tomorrow may look different than the perceived reality of today?! That is why in Oneg, joy, the Ayin is at the beginning of the word, looking forward. Chazal are teaching us about perspective. The best way to avoid falling into criticism and negativity is to look forward
Keith Seigel, who lived as a hostage in Gaza for over 500 days described that what gave him strength to continue, despite the brutal torture and horrific conditions he endured, was that every day he would imagine the conversations he would have with his wife, children and grandchildren. Rather than reflecting on what he had endured, he looked towards the future. This optimism, positivity and perspective gave him strength. Other hostages described how during captivity, they grew closer to Hashem, in one case by starting to observe Shabbat and in another case by starting to say Havdalah. These hostages too drew hope from their commitment to build their future observance.
While Tzara’at may not literally appear today, the message continues to resonate. As individuals and as a community, rather than seeing the bad and looking at the present, we grow stronger by seeing the positive and the potential in ourselves and others. Sefirat HaOmer provides a valuable time for us to focus on this lesson, embodying the positivity of Rebbe Akiva and his optimism so that our eye, our Ayin, looks forward.