Parshas Tazria -- 26 Adar II, 5771 / April 1, 2011 -- Vol. 2, Issue 13
I found myself back at the mechanic’s shop this week, this time to have my turn signal fixed. Even with my superb negotiating skills, I knew this was going to be costly and time consuming. But why even bother getting this seemingly minute detail of my vehicle fixed? My car drove well, and after all, how important can a turn signal be?
Being that everything is hashgacha pratis (divine providence), I knew that there was something important for me to learn from this situation; the question was what? There weren’t any newspapers to look at this time so I was left to let my mind wander the spiritual relevance of having one’s turn signal switch replaced.
In this week’s Parsha, Tazria, we learn about tzara’as and the various signs that accompany it. Though tzara’as has physical symptoms, it is a manifestation of a spiritual lacking. The various signs of this condition are Hashem’s way of letting a person know that they need to make a greater effort in their spiritual endeavours and pursuits.
More specifically, the Midrash explains that tzara’as is a result of loshon hora (gossip). What is the connection between a turn signal for a car and loshon hora? A turn signal is used to notify other drivers that I would be making a turn. Without this function, I was unable to give fellow drivers the proper information they need. Furthermore, I was putting both myself and everyone else on the road in danger. How could other drivers know what my next move would be if I couldn’t give them some sort of ‘signal’? In essence one needs a turn signal so they can properly communicate with other drivers on the road.
So too, it is of utmost importance that we communicate with other people in a kind and sensitive manner. We must endeavour to create ‘signals’ of warmth, care, and respect, as well as avoid ‘signals’ of negativity or gossip. As the expression goes, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything!”
Being that everything is hashgacha pratis (divine providence), I knew that there was something important for me to learn from this situation; the question was what? There weren’t any newspapers to look at this time so I was left to let my mind wander the spiritual relevance of having one’s turn signal switch replaced.
In this week’s Parsha, Tazria, we learn about tzara’as and the various signs that accompany it. Though tzara’as has physical symptoms, it is a manifestation of a spiritual lacking. The various signs of this condition are Hashem’s way of letting a person know that they need to make a greater effort in their spiritual endeavours and pursuits.
More specifically, the Midrash explains that tzara’as is a result of loshon hora (gossip). What is the connection between a turn signal for a car and loshon hora? A turn signal is used to notify other drivers that I would be making a turn. Without this function, I was unable to give fellow drivers the proper information they need. Furthermore, I was putting both myself and everyone else on the road in danger. How could other drivers know what my next move would be if I couldn’t give them some sort of ‘signal’? In essence one needs a turn signal so they can properly communicate with other drivers on the road.
So too, it is of utmost importance that we communicate with other people in a kind and sensitive manner. We must endeavour to create ‘signals’ of warmth, care, and respect, as well as avoid ‘signals’ of negativity or gossip. As the expression goes, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything!”
Parshas Tazria: Chicken Shmaltz or Jewels?
In Parshas Tazria, we learn that the Jewish people received tzara’as when they were lacking in an aspect of their Judaism. Sometimes when we find we are missing something in our lives, we realize it could have been prevented if only we had prioritized properly. The following story immediately comes to mind.
Shmuel was a man of many talents, but unfortunately was having serious trouble finding work. His wife, Rochel, was considerably upset at not having food for the family. Though he wanted to provide for his family, Shmuel had just about given up finding a job when he saw an interesting ad in the local newspaper.
“Look, Rochel,” he said, “this ad says that there is an island in the middle of the ocean which has precious jewels and gems lining the beaches instead of sand. What if I hire a ship to take me there, and collect a whole bunch of diamonds and rubies? We’ll be rich beyond our wildest dreams!” “Are you crazy Shmuel?” retorted Rochel, “here is our last $100. I want you to buy yourself a new suit so you can go on an interview and get a job!”
Instead of buying a suit, Shmuel decided to rent a boat and try to find the island of jewels. He figured that although Rochel might be upset that he had gone against her wishes, her happiness when he came back a rich man would override any hurt feelings. He went straight to the docks, rented a boat, and set sail.
Several days later, the captain informed Shmuel that he had taken him as far as he could and that Shmuel would be on his own from there on. So Shmuel took a row boat and rowed for days on end until he finally reached land. When he got out of the boat, he could hardly believe his eyes. He was surrounded by sapphires, diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones.
He began stuffing his pockets until they were about to burst. Being hungry from his long journey, he walked to a restaurant to eat. When he finished his meal he proudly took out some jewels to pay and even offered his waiter a sizable tip. To his surprise however, the waiter was not thankful or even remotely amused.
“Is this a joke?” the waiter asked. “What do you mean?” replied Shmuel. “You can’t pay with useless rocks,” the waiter explained. “Useless? These are diamonds and rubies. They’re worth a great deal.” “Listen mister. I don’t know where you’re from but these rocks are all over the place. The beach is lined with them. You need to pay for your meal with the local currency; chicken schmaltz. If you don’t have any schmaltz then you can work off the meal in the kitchen washing dishes!”
So Shmuel took a job as a dishwasher, and slowly but surely paid off his meal. He was so good at his job that he continued working and was slowly promoted to a waiter, then an assistant manager, and then a manager. Eventually, he had saved up enough chicken schmaltz and bought his own restaurant. Shmuel acquired so much schmaltz that he became the wealthiest man on the island.
Once Shmuel felt he’d earned a sizeable fortune, he sent a telegram to his wife saying she should expect his return in one week. Being that he was the richest man on the island, she should alert the mayor to his return and hire a marching band to greet him. He bought a little tug boat and attached several barges which he loaded up with schmaltz and set out for home.
Rochel invited the mayor, informed the newspapers and radio stations, and hired a marching band. A week passed and everyone was anxiously waiting Shmuel’s return. Finally in the distance they saw a boat. What was that smell? Why were the seagulls bombarding the boat? As the boat came closer to the docks the people could see that there were several barges loaded with schmaltz. The stench was unbearable and slowly the marching band left, then the reporters and radio stations, the mayor and ultimately it was only Rochel and the children who were left to greet Shmuel.
“Shmuel,” Rochel said. “What’s going on here? Why on earth have you brought so much chicken schmaltz back with you?” “What do you mean?” he replied. “I was the richest man on the island; this chicken fat will help us open a business.” “But Shmuel, no one wants chicken schmaltz, it isn’t worth anything. You were supposed to bring back precious jewels, not worthless schmaltz.” All of a sudden Shmuel remembered his original intent when going to the island. When he had all but given up hope, he found a few loose rubies in his pockets and was able to open up a small business which he used to provide for his family.
Shmuel lost sight of the purpose of his trip and therefore he spent his time collecting chicken fat instead of precious jewels.
In life, there are many temptations, which although unimportant, lead us astray from other aspects of our life, such as Torah and mitzvahs. In our day to day lives we can endeavour to focus on that which is essential. Our energy must be directed to collecting that which matters: Torah and Mitzvahs!
Shmuel was a man of many talents, but unfortunately was having serious trouble finding work. His wife, Rochel, was considerably upset at not having food for the family. Though he wanted to provide for his family, Shmuel had just about given up finding a job when he saw an interesting ad in the local newspaper.
“Look, Rochel,” he said, “this ad says that there is an island in the middle of the ocean which has precious jewels and gems lining the beaches instead of sand. What if I hire a ship to take me there, and collect a whole bunch of diamonds and rubies? We’ll be rich beyond our wildest dreams!” “Are you crazy Shmuel?” retorted Rochel, “here is our last $100. I want you to buy yourself a new suit so you can go on an interview and get a job!”
Instead of buying a suit, Shmuel decided to rent a boat and try to find the island of jewels. He figured that although Rochel might be upset that he had gone against her wishes, her happiness when he came back a rich man would override any hurt feelings. He went straight to the docks, rented a boat, and set sail.
Several days later, the captain informed Shmuel that he had taken him as far as he could and that Shmuel would be on his own from there on. So Shmuel took a row boat and rowed for days on end until he finally reached land. When he got out of the boat, he could hardly believe his eyes. He was surrounded by sapphires, diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones.
He began stuffing his pockets until they were about to burst. Being hungry from his long journey, he walked to a restaurant to eat. When he finished his meal he proudly took out some jewels to pay and even offered his waiter a sizable tip. To his surprise however, the waiter was not thankful or even remotely amused.
“Is this a joke?” the waiter asked. “What do you mean?” replied Shmuel. “You can’t pay with useless rocks,” the waiter explained. “Useless? These are diamonds and rubies. They’re worth a great deal.” “Listen mister. I don’t know where you’re from but these rocks are all over the place. The beach is lined with them. You need to pay for your meal with the local currency; chicken schmaltz. If you don’t have any schmaltz then you can work off the meal in the kitchen washing dishes!”
So Shmuel took a job as a dishwasher, and slowly but surely paid off his meal. He was so good at his job that he continued working and was slowly promoted to a waiter, then an assistant manager, and then a manager. Eventually, he had saved up enough chicken schmaltz and bought his own restaurant. Shmuel acquired so much schmaltz that he became the wealthiest man on the island.
Once Shmuel felt he’d earned a sizeable fortune, he sent a telegram to his wife saying she should expect his return in one week. Being that he was the richest man on the island, she should alert the mayor to his return and hire a marching band to greet him. He bought a little tug boat and attached several barges which he loaded up with schmaltz and set out for home.
Rochel invited the mayor, informed the newspapers and radio stations, and hired a marching band. A week passed and everyone was anxiously waiting Shmuel’s return. Finally in the distance they saw a boat. What was that smell? Why were the seagulls bombarding the boat? As the boat came closer to the docks the people could see that there were several barges loaded with schmaltz. The stench was unbearable and slowly the marching band left, then the reporters and radio stations, the mayor and ultimately it was only Rochel and the children who were left to greet Shmuel.
“Shmuel,” Rochel said. “What’s going on here? Why on earth have you brought so much chicken schmaltz back with you?” “What do you mean?” he replied. “I was the richest man on the island; this chicken fat will help us open a business.” “But Shmuel, no one wants chicken schmaltz, it isn’t worth anything. You were supposed to bring back precious jewels, not worthless schmaltz.” All of a sudden Shmuel remembered his original intent when going to the island. When he had all but given up hope, he found a few loose rubies in his pockets and was able to open up a small business which he used to provide for his family.
Shmuel lost sight of the purpose of his trip and therefore he spent his time collecting chicken fat instead of precious jewels.
In life, there are many temptations, which although unimportant, lead us astray from other aspects of our life, such as Torah and mitzvahs. In our day to day lives we can endeavour to focus on that which is essential. Our energy must be directed to collecting that which matters: Torah and Mitzvahs!