29 Apr TAZRIA/METZORA: ACTIONS, NOT WORDS

Much of Parashat Tazria is
devoted to the laws of
tzara’at – a type of plague
which came in various
forms, affecting either a
person’s skin, his clothing,
or his home. Our tradition
teaches that in ancient times, tzara’at
would befall a person as a punishment,
mainly for the sin of lashon ha’ra – gossip
and negative speech about other people.
One of the indications in the text of this
connection between tzara’at and lashon
ha’ra is the process required when a
person heals from tzara’at. In order to
regain his status of tahara (purity), he
must undergo a detailed procedure,
which begins with a ceremony involving
two birds (Vayikra 14:4). Rashi explains
why birds are required for this process.
He writes that a person would suffer
tzara’at because of lashon ha’ra, which
involves excessive chattering. In order to
atone for this sin, he needs to bring birds,
who constantly make chirping noise.
There are several different aspects to the
sin of lashon ha’ra. Rashi here points to

one particular aspect, talking too much.
Many people who are guilty of frequently
speaking lashon ha’ra simply talk
excessively.
The importance of controlling one’s
mouth is expressed by Rabban Shimon
ben Gamliel, in a Mishna in Pirkeh Avot
(1:17):
I grew up my entire life among the sages,
and I found nothing better for the body
than silence.
Rabban Shimon describes the value of
silence as the most beneficial quality a
person can have. Why?
People who speak excessively often think
that their words can replace action.
Instead of acting, doing and
accomplishing, they talk, they try
drawing attention to themselves and
impressing people by talking. But words
are no substitute for action. Greatness is
achieved not by talking, but by working
and doing. People who engage in
excessive talking often do so because
they aren’t doing enough, they aren’t
accomplishing.

This is why Rabban Shimon introduces
his teaching by saying that he had spent
his life among great people. He saw that
accomplished people are those who
focus on actions rather than words, who
do the heavy lifting instead of just
talking.
As important as verbal communication
between husband and wife is, words do
not suffice. A good spouse is one who
does things for the other, who expresses
his or her commitment through concrete
action. The same is true of all
relationships. Kind words are of course
important, but a good friend is always
there, is always willing to put in the effort
to help and to nurture the friendship.
At the Pesach seder, we list the ten
plagues that Hashem brought upon the
Egyptians, after which we state that
Rabbi Yehuda would use an acrostic to
represent the ten plagues: Detzach Adash
Be’achav. I once saw a fascinating
observation – that this same Rabbi
Yehuda is described in Masechet
Berachot (63b) as – the Rabbi who was
always the first to speak. Rabbi Yehuda,

it seems, was regarded as the “top” public
speaker of his time. How interesting it is
that the most highly regarded public
speaker was the one who found concise
ways of saying things. Specifically the
man of few words, who knew how to
keep his words brief, was the leading
speaker.
Actions speak so much louder than
words. Let’s try to avoid unnecessary
talk, and focus on working, on investing
effort, on being there for the people in
our lives, so we can make a real difference
and achieve greatness.