This week’s Parasha discusses the punishment on speaking Lashon Hora (evil speech) which is Tzara’at. We know that speaking Lashon Hora is a harmful thing to many people and the consequences are awful. In the Talmud, Rebbe Chama asks “what is the reparation for one who speaks evil gossip?” We know the punishment, but how can we better ourselves from here? He continues to say “If he is a scholar, then let him involve himself with Torah…if not, let him lower himself.” How can we understand this? We know that learning Torah is always a good thing, but why does it have a special connection with speaking Lashon Hora?
The power of intelligent speech was granted only to humans. This is what distinguishes between us and animals. Our intelligence is made “visible” to others through speech- that is the only way that people will know our thoughts. This is a very special power that G-d granted us. Since intelligence is a spiritual power, speech is the bridge from the spiritual world to the physical world.
Anyone who speaks Lashon Hora is using his most spiritual power that G-d gave us for evil. G-d has given us the opportunity to rise above the animals and instead this person is lowering himself to their level, if not lower. However, Torah study counters Lashon Hora because it is the most positive and spiritual use of our power. Instead of using speech for something evil that can harm others, through Torah study we can use it for the greatest good and improve ourselves in the process.
Everyone is given amazing powers from G-d, but what makes us all different is how we use them. Use them for good, and with that you can improve yourself and improve the world.
Shabbat Shalom!