Maureena’s Torah Reflections
Parashat Tazria. Leviticus 12:1-13:59
lashon hara, (the evil tongue)
Chapter 13 of this parasha focuses on the leprous disease, tsaraat, which the sages said was a punishment for lashon hara, (the evil tongue), that is evil, hateful speech. They pointed to Miriam, who was struck by tsaraat when she spoke negatively about her brother Moses (Num. 12). And Moses’ hand became leprous like snow when he spoke negatively about the Israelites (Ex. 4.1-4.7).
According to the sages, lashon hara kills three people; the one who says it, the one it is said about and the one who listens to it.
The most powerful antidote to lashon hara is lashon hatov (the good tongue), good, positive, encouraging speech. Good speech mends at all levels.
A suggested daily practice for this week: praise someone (it can be, your partner) each day for what that person has said or done, no matter how small the deed.
Prepared by Prof. Sr. Maureena Fritz nds
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“Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies.”
Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions: Nostra Aetate, No. 4