Inner change

“This shall be the law of the metzora” (Leviticus 14:2)

Why does the text here say, “This shall be the law of the metzora”? Wouldn’t it have been more appropriate to say, “This is the law of the metzora”?

R’ Shmuel of Sochotchov points out that according to the Talmud, tzara’as is usually brought about by the sin of haughtiness (Arachin 16a). The Torah mandates that he be sent out of the camp and isolated from others. This is meant to provoke deep introspection toward the path of repentance and humility.

The cultivation of a more humble persona is not to be just an immediate remedy of his pathology. Even after he is healed, he must never return to his previous state of arrogance. He must internalize the lessons he has learned during his isolation and remain humble for the rest of his days.

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