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Why was she punished so harshly? When a small part of a primitive tool is bent out of shape, the utensil is usually still fully functional. However, when a small part in a complex instrument, in which each part has a special function, is damaged, the utensil can be ruined.
We cannot measure the positive and negative mitzvot of the Torah, but there is much to learn from the consequences they bring on. If the Torah required us to remember Miriam’s punishment, it is apparently so that we should internalize the importance of the sin she perpetrated.
Tzara’at comes from speaking lashon hara (Arachin 15b), and this requires one to live in isolation outside the encampment (Vayikra 13:46). Someone who serves to create disharmony within society and fosters hatred and jealously is best isolated, where he does not spread his practices. There is a special mitzva to be careful with tzara’at (Devarim 24:8), from which we learn the prohibition to cut off flesh that has tzara’at on it (Makkot 22a).
Speech and thought have an impact on the body, and the sin of lashon hara can leave a sign on the body. Impure blood ruins the circulatory system and causes afflictions to the skin. If a person does not have remorse over his actions and accept the consequence of temporary isolation, he may want to just cut off the tzara’at and make believe he never received it. We are affected by those who have this trait, who, on the outside, present themselves as pure when they are not, as they themselves are negatively by it. It is easier to heal a blemish that one can see. When it is hidden, it is most dangerous. Healing must be systemic and not topical; the infection must be eradicated instead of having its sign covered over by cosmetics. To us, only beauty that comes from the inside is of value.
In western society, culture and fancy science are a cover-up for a lot of moral problems, such as animalistic tendencies. If one covers them with nice rhetoric, it just allows the problems to fester beneath.
Sometimes we [apparently speaking to his own beloved community in K’far Haroeh, 1938] suffice with the signs that we show others. We cover our actions and our biggest afflictions with a sign saying that we are religious laborers, an agricultural community of Hapoel Hamizrachi. Sometimes we perpetrate "idol worship" without knowing it because the sign that we place before us covers it. Yes, we worship the work that we do, our agricultural projects … One tends to see all afflictions but his own (Nega’im 2:5). It is better to look within us and compare what is there to what the Torah expects of us. Let us investigate if there is no affliction within, lest we cut off our tzara’at instead of making sure it heals.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
