29 Apr PARASHAT TAZRIA-MESORA: REVEALING OUR HIDDEN TREASURES

Parashiyot Tazria
and Mesora describe
several different kinds
of manifestations
of Sara’at –
discolorations on a
person’s skin, garment or home, which,
under certain conditions, brings a state
of impurity. Our Sages have explained
that Sara’at would strike a person as a
punishment for repeated violations of the
sin of Lashon Ha’ra – negative speech
and slander about other people.
One of the manifestations of Sara’at, as
mentioned, is discolorations on a person’s
home. If the discoloration is confirmed
as Sara’at, then the entire house must be
dismantled.
Rashi (14:34) famously cites from the
Midrash that this manifestation of Sara’at
was, in truth, a blessing for the people:
“The Emorites hid golden treasures in
the walls of their homes throughout the
entire forty years when Yisrael were
in the wilderness, and as a result of the
affliction [on the walls], one dismantles
the house and finds them.” A Sara’at

plague on the walls of one’s home would
end up as a “blessing in disguise,” as
by dismantling the home, one would
discover the treasures which had been
hidden in the walls by the nations which
inhabited the Land of Israel before it was
conquered by Beneh Yisrael.
The question arises as to why Rashi
mentions here specifically the
“Emoriyim” (Emorites). Seven different
nations inhabited the Land of Israel before
being vanquished by Beneh Yisrael.
Why are only the Emorites spoken of as
concealing their treasures in the walls of
their homes?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe (Rav Menachem
Mendel Schneerson, 1902-1994)
explained that the word “Emoriyim” in
Rashi’s commentary contains a deeper
message. This word is associated with
the verb “E.M.R.” – “speech,” and thus
alludes to the cause of Sara’at – forbidden
speech. Rashi here is alluding to the fact
that Sara’at would strike specifically the
homes of the “Emoriyim” – those who
speak inappropriately about other people.
But if so, then we must ask why the

person would then be worthy of
receiving a precious gold treasure.
If he is guilty of the grievous sin
of Lashon Ha’ra, then why does
he receive a large fortune?
The Rebbe explained that the
“gold treasure” mentioned
by Rashi alludes to “golden
speech” – appropriate and
valuable speech. After enduring
the punishment of Sara’at, and
taking the lesson to heart, the
individual is then able to turn his
speech around, to transform it
from harmful and destructive gossip and
slander, to precious “pearls of wisdom,”
to words of Torah, words of praise and
encouragement to other people. The
purpose of Sara’at is not to lead a person
to be silent, to stop speaking, but rather
to reveal his hidden treasures, to help him
find the power of constructive speech, to
uncover the greatness within him. Speech
can inflict great harm, but can also bring
great blessing. Once we recognize the
evil of inappropriate speech, we can then
unearth the hidden treasure of positive,
productive speech.

More generally, Rashi’s comments
teach us that sometimes, when our
lives are “dismantled,” disrupted and
shaken, we are given the opportunity to
discover “hidden treasures.” We have
many strengths and gifts which might
be obscured by the pressures and bustle
of day-to-day life. These “treasures” are
concealed deep within us, but we cannot
see them, because we are distracted by
the many different things which occupy
our time and our minds. But when our
lives are “dismantled,” these precious
gifts are unearthed.