Parshat Metzora: Seeing The Good

In the parshah of Metzora, the Torah describes the purification process for someone stricken with tzaraas.

The Mishnah (Negaim 2:2) teaches that the kohen must be extremely careful when examining the afflicted. He could not inspect early in the morning—when dim light might make a dull blemish appear brighter—or by artificial light. He couldn’t even open windows for better illumination. The goal was to avoid mistakenly declaring someone impure.

But why such caution?

I heard from my father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer, shlit”a, a beautiful lesson from the Yalkut P’ninim: In life, we must never look for flaws or focus on negativity. We must seek out virtues and merit, not defects. Our task is to love—not to judge. That’s why the kohen had to inspect under the most honest, pure conditions. He needed to see the person in the best possible light—literally and figuratively.

The following story about the Chofetz Chaim beautifully illustrates this:

Once, while traveling, the Chofetz Chaim stopped at an inn. There, a large, rough man barged in, cursing and devouring food like an animal. The innkeeper warned the Chofetz Chaim not to engage with him, explaining that the man was a Cantonist—taken as a child and forced into the Czar’s army for 25 years. Many had tried to help him return to Yiddishkeit, but all had failed.

Undeterred, the Chofetz Chaim approached the man and asked gently if he had indeed served in the army for 25 years. When the man confirmed, the Chofetz Chaim exclaimed, “You must be incredibly holy! Despite unimaginable suffering and relentless pressure to convert, you held on to your Jewish identity. I wish I had your merit in Olam Haba!”

The rough man, overwhelmed by such compassion, burst into tears. The Chofetz Chaim continued, encouraging him: “You are special and holy. You can still become even greater!” Because the Chofetz Chaim saw his potential instead of his flaws, the man eventually returned to Yiddishkeit and did full teshuvah.

This is the Torah’s message: See the good in others. Believe in their potential. Uplift, don’t tear down. Through love and encouragement, we help each other reach even greater heights.

Aryeh Fingerer is a passionate Jewish speaker who connects with readers around the world through his meaningful and relatable divrei Torah. He’s dedicated to spreading positivity and strengthening our bond with Yiddishkeit through stories, insights, and timeless Torah values.
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Wishing you a wonderful Shabbat and a smile!

By Aryeh Fingerer