This week's parsha continues with the laws and details of leprosy, including the process of his purification. Part of the purification process requires the person to bring two birds. The Zohar explains that these two birds represent two "sins" he committed. The first by speaking Loshan Hara disparagingly about his fellow and the second for all of the good things he could have said and he didn't. The Zohar states that just as one is punished for speaking negatively he will also be held accountable for the good he could have said and didn't.

R'Elimelech Biderman related a story of a young man who made a feast of thanksgiving upon being saved from a terminal illness. This man was diagnosed when he was 12 years old and went through many different procedures and treatments until his life was saved and he recovered. At this feast the man invited the doctor who treated him throughout the ordeal. He explained to the crowd that when he was in the hospital bed and the various doctors were reviewing his charts they all said that there was no chance he would survive. This one doctor said that he thinks he will recover because he has a very good attitude, he is happy and strong. The young man explained that hearing these words from the doctor did in fact motivate him to keep fighting until he ultimately recovered. The man then asked the doctor to say a few words as well.

 The doctor arose and confirmed that it indeed was a miraculous recovery and that everything the young man stated was accurate, except for one point. The doctor explained that when he was conferring with the other doctors and made the statement which motivated the young man, they were speaking about a different youngster that was in the bed next to him! The doctor continued saying that the man standing here today, I really thought he had no chance as well, he was broken and sad. It was those words from the doctor, which were not even intended, that motivated him to fight and survive.

If we make an effort to say a few nice words to people we have no idea the kind of impact it may have on them.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath