4.18.26 ~ Wind Power

In this week's Torah portion, Tazria and Metzora (Lev. 12–14), sickness of the soul manifests as lesions on the skin. No, this is not the skin ailment we find in third-world countries today known as Hansen's disease; this is a spiritual condition that shows up in the skin. Hence, the metzora (the leper) would not go to a doctor to diagnose and remedy the disease, but to the high priest.


Since the people of God took the Promised Land, mankind's spiritual level has plummeted to great depths, and our skin has lost its sensitivity in manifesting the condition of the soul for everyone to see. The two primary causes of this malady, known as tzara'at (leprosy), are gossip and slander. Scripture considers this behavior a very serious crime, as it is likened to the three cardinal sins of idolatry, murder, and adultery. Someone who habitually practices this form of speech affects his life in the world to come (Matt. 12:36–37; Eccl. 12:14; Prov. 13:3). Why does the Torah give such forceful and isolating punishment for this negative speech?


The prophet Amos gives us a powerful clue (Amos 4:13): 

"For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, who treads the high places of the earth—The Lord God of hosts is His name." 

At first blush, it appears that the formation of mountains and wind have very little to do with man's conversation. But if we think of the children's nursery rhyme about "sticks and stones," where words will never hurt me, we will begin to recognize what the Lord God is telling us through Amos.


God creates massive mountains made of impervious rock, along with the invisible winds. Yet the invisible winds wear down those mountains into nothing more than material for an anthill. Even though our words are as formless as the wind, they are powerful enough to bring down the greatest individuals and kingdoms. Just as words can destroy worlds, they can also build worlds with peace, happiness, and prosperity (Prov. 18:21).


As you head into this 14th day of counting the Omer, may all of our words be like a gentle breeze, not an eroding force. That is definitely not how we say to this mountain, "Be thou removed" :-)


Shabbat Shalom!

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