Friday, April 8, 2016

Positive Outcomes of Struggles and Pain

In this week's parsha, Tazria, we read about the Metzorah, one inflicted by a spiritual ailment called Tzaras, in which a patch of his skin, hair, etc., takes on different colors, textures, etc.

In the Talmud, a question is asked: "What is Moshiach's name? The Rabbis (the majority opinion) say, (he is called) the Metzorah of the house of Rebbe.

The Midrash, on the verse "and the Metzorah that has the lesion," explains, "Metzorah, this is the Beis Hamikdash, the Holy Temple."

Usually we see a Metzorah as an outcast, inflicted because of some wrongdoing. However, it seems from here, that a Metzorah is a good thing. The holiest man, Moshiach, and the holiest place, the Beis Hamikdash, are called Metzorah.

Why then are Moshiach and the Beis Hamikdash called Metzorah?

To understand this, first we have to understand why there hasn't been a Metzorah since the time of the Temple.

During the Temple era, when people went up to the Temple they beheld the Divine presence, they witnessed miracles regularly. The people were of a different caliber as well, they were able to reach spiritual heights that are unattainable now in exile.

The Metzorah was a person who was at the highest level. He worked on refining himself until he had absolutely no trace of evil left in him, neither in his inner spiritual makeup nor in his outer physical makeup. The only thing that was left was the remnants of impurities he once had. These remnants come out as Tzaras.

Today, there are no longer people at these spiritual heights, hence there are no Metzorahs.

Now we can understand why Moshiach and the Beis Hamikdash are called Metzorah. Because a Metzorah is a spiritual giant and because they are both connected to our redemption from this dark exile. In this exile we suffered unimaginable pain, this suffering also acts as a purifier, and cleanses us. Now at the end of the exile, all that is left is mere remnants. Moshiach and the Beis Hamikdash come to redeem us from these remnants.

All of us have pain in our lives, this is the condition of our exile. It helps, albeit a little, that the pangs of the exile have meaning, as they bring the redemption.

Laying here in my bed, receiving visitors and getting emails. Many have shared their pain with me, but at the same time, most found that as a result of their pain, they have attained some positive outcome, they never would have imagined they could have attained, had they not gone through their struggle.

I have experienced this first hand. Being sick has been a struggle for me, for my wonderful wife, and for my family. But this struggle has brought out love, talents, strength and inspiration we never knew we had.

So it seems in some way that our pain and suffering is good, just as a Metzorah is the holiest person.

Who am I kidding, we have suffered enough. It is time for Moshiach, the Metzorah of the house of Rebbe, to come and redeem us from this exile. May it happen soon.
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This Dvar Torah is dedicated to my daughter Chava, who's Bas Mitzvah is today. I am so proud of you Chava.

28 comments:

  1. May Hashem bring an end to all suffering soon. And Mazal tov on your daughters bas mitzvah

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  2. Thank you Rabbi. May Hashem bless you and your family. Thanks for your insight. And yes, Maschiach is coming soon.

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  3. Refuah Shleima and Mazel Tov Chava and family on this occasion!

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  4. Yaasher koach rabbi !Beautiful and amazing . Mazal Tov and may HaShem bless you and your mispacha with besoros tovos refuah and all good things

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  5. Mazal tov and really inspiring

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  6. Mazal Tov on your daughter's bas mitzvah. May you and your family only know joy and happiness, starting with your complete refuah!Thank you to you and your family for being such a wonderful source of inspiration. Good Shabbos!

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  7. Mazal tov!!! Great message!!! Your story has and continues to uplift many who find their own burden a little too heavy to carry on their own. You are supporting so many:))) chazak chazak vinischaziek

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  8. Thank you for this beautiful and enlightening dvar torah. May you have a beautiful rosh hodesh and a mazal tov to Chanie.

    Sara Nahear
    Revava

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  9. Thank you for this beautiful and enlightening dvar torah. May you have a beautiful rosh hodesh and a mazal tov to Chanie.

    Sara Nahear
    Revava

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  10. Thank you. You should have lots of nachas from your entire family.

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  11. Thank you. You should have lots of nachas from your entire family.

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  12. Beautiful dvar Torah...
    Rabbi Yitzi, we know how much time & effort went into writing it - please know how inspiring & uplifting it is!!!
    Mazel Tov:)
    Still singing Shine a Little Light...

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  13. Mazel tov on the bas mitzvah. I messengered Dina on Thursday and asked if Lydia and I can come visit next Sunday on our way home for Pesach. I'm sorry we haven't been in touch but I have had my own issues. I try to listen to your song every day. It is truly an amazing video and you are an amazing family. I wish the bas mitzvah was at the winery.

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  14. Yitzi thank you for being such an inspiration, and for 'shining a little light' on the world. Mazel tov on your daughter's bat mitzvah.

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  15. We are a group of 11th/12th graders at the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth, NJ. We have just watched your videos and read your blog and we have been inspired. May Hashem bless you and your family.

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  16. Thank you so much for your divrei Torah. I now have a clearer understanding of a metzorah.

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  17. Mazel tov on the bas mitzvah. May we all be redeemed, and soon.

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  18. Thank you for these words of Torah....and Mazel Tov to your whole family on the Bat Mitzvah! Julie Starr (your song continues to inspire me, my kids and grandkids daily....we're all singing it! it is filled with life and light!)

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  19. Sooo incredibly beautiful!!! Hashem should give you much strength Rabbi! Thank you for sharing this fantastic and inspiring Dvar Torah.

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  20. Mazal Tov to your whole beautiful family!

    In the hope of providing some inspiration, a congregant of mine was stricken with ALS and when he wrote to Igros - echoing sentiments of your Dvar Torah - the Rebbe's reply was that the destruction of one Beis Hamikdosh (body) is for the construction of the Infinite One - again echoing your thoughts, psychologists today have a new term, Post Tramatic Growth, as truly not the oir but the moar integrates unifying and expresses itself from kasis (you most certainly are exponentially reaching more, inspiring more and hence in greater doses shining light / banishing darkness!)

    PS I tried to subscribe to your blog but I didn't receive any posts.

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  21. Thank you, your light is shining so bright. You have a beautiful family. Yes, Moshiach is coming soon.

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  22. Beautiful. Mazel Tov on your daughter's bat mitzvah. May Hashem bless her with everything good

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  23. Beautiful. Mazel Tov on your daughter's bat mitzvah. May Hashem bless her with everything good

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  24. Beautiful May Hashem bring a speedy end to all our pains.

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  25. Sorry mistake
    Parshas tazria meant to write

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