Shnayim Yomi - Tazria-Metzora - Rabbi Yechiel Gabay - DVAR TORAH

We've learned in this week's parashah about the severe punishment of the metzora who spoke lashon hara. Badad yeshev, he has to leave the camp, leave the inhabited places, dwell by himself with no contact with anybody. If somebody comes close, he has to announce, "Tamei, tamei, stay away from me." He has to shave himself. He has to really cast himself as an outcast. The Rashi says on badad yeshev brings the Gemara in Arachin, Amar Rabbeinu, "Why is this particular tumah obligated to dwell by himself? It's middah keneged middah. Hayal vuhu hivdil belashon hara, he caused division through his lashon hara between ish le'ishto, a man and his wife, between a man and his friend. Therefore, he caused division and discord amongst Klal Yisrael. So, now he has to be divided and separated from Klal Yisrael and live on his own." These we learn these parashiyot during the days of Sefirat HaOmer, during which we are also in mourning for the talmidim of Rabbi Akiva who died during this time. Why is it that they died specifically during the Omer, during the Omer count? The Baalei Mussar explain that each time of year has its specific focus and a special expectations of us as Yidden for what we're supposed to do. The time between Pesach and Shavuot is a time to focus on bein adam lechavero. That is where the expectation is, and that is where there's tremendous middas hadin where there's a shortfall. The talmidim of Rabbi Akiva who were lo nogehu kavod zeh bazeh, on their level, they were punished specifically during the days of Sefirah because this is a time where a person is obligated to work on bein adam l'chavero. It's no coincidence that we learn tzaraat metzora during these days, during these days of the omer, to take to heart the lesson of the metzora, his lack of bein adam l'chavero, the punishment that came to him, and in mits Hashem, we should take that lesson and be zocheh to only good.