The power of speech is a gracious gift that Hashem gave us. We have the free choice to use it for good or for bad. This power can be used to teach Torah, spread good deeds, and teach people proper midot. It can also be used to speak Lashon Hara(gossip). In this week’s Parsha we learn that if a person speaks Lashon Hara he would get a skin disease called tzaraat. This disease is incredibly miraculous, and could only be cured if the person goes into isolation. During this isolation period the person needs to think about how he hurt this person with his words, and realize that is wasn’t right. Only then does he get better.

Hashem gave us this gift of speech to help people and to lift people up. We all need to be very careful with every word that we say, because words really affect people. You never know how one comment can change a person’s day.

I think each one of us should take upon ourselves not to speak bad about our fellow Jews. Hashem wants us to be loving and peaceful with one another. Every word counts!

Shabbat Shalom,

Shani Hebron