Death and Life in the Power of the Tongue

Tzara’at requires examination by a Kohen. Without the Kohen’s declaration, one cannot be called a metzora. At the end of the period of tzara’at, the affected cannot become tahor (ritually pure) without a Kohen’s declaration. Thus, the verse reads:

And the Kohen shall go outside the camp, and the Kohen shall look, and behold, the plague of tzara’at is healed from the tzaru’a (one afflicted with tzara’at). [Leviticus 14:3]

Though the person has been healed, he is yet a tzaru’a, until the Kohen declares him to be tahor.

These laws convey a valuable educational lesson. Our Sages taught that tzara’at afflicts one as a result of lashon hara, speaking ill of one’s fellow. The requirement of the Kohen’s declaration teaches the metzora the power of speech. Ultimately, it is not only the symptoms of tzara’at, but the word “tamei” or “tahor” uttered by the Kohen which decides the individual’s status.

As part of the ritual of purification, the healed metzora must bring two “living pure birds.” [14:4] The halacha establishes that the two birds should be similar in appearance, size and value. One bird is chosen by the Kohen to be slaughtered, the other is to be let free. (14:5 -6) This ritual strengthens the lesson by demonstrating that the power of words can determine life and death, as King Solomon taught us “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” [Proverbs 18:21]