In this week's parsha we read about the various types of leprosy which would afflict people and their belongings as well as the proper purification process. One of the types of leprosy affects a person's house. If the leprosy doesn't go away after a number of weeks then the only recourse is to destroy the affected house. Our Sages tell us though that leprosy of the house is only applicable in the Land of Israel. When the Jewish People entered the Land of Israel the Emorite inhabitants hid treasures in the walls of their house before fleeing. The leprosy of the houses was away for these treasures to be revealed.

Imagine the difficulty a person would have if they were forced to knock down their house. It would seem like a very difficult situation to deal with but if the entire purpose was to reveal to them tremendous riches the tragedy would soon turn to elation. The person who suspects that their house has leprosy would approach the Kohen to inspect their house. They would state to the Kohen that it "looks like my house is afflicted" and ask the Kohen to come inspect. Even if the person was sure that their house has leprosy they would nevertheless state it "looks like" the house is afflicted. This can be understood because the leprosy was in order to reveal these hidden treasures, therefore the house only "looked" like it was afflicted because in truth it was not an affliction as it would bring about the revelation of these treasures.

In life we are all faced with challenges and tests. Sometimes it looks like "our house" is afflicted, like everything is coming crashing down (G-d Forbid), but if we know and believe that everything that Hashem does is for the best, we can expect that there are great treasures waiting for us amidst the difficulties. We may not see all of the treasures right away but they are waiting for us!

May all of our sick brothers and sisters have a speedy recovery.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath