Reb Shlomo Carlebach would say: “If only we would see the image of God, tzelem Elokim, in each and every person, there would be no way we could ever hate someone else.”
We read in this week’s parsha about the metzora, the person afflicted with a severe skin ailment who was separated from the community before going through a purification process in order to return.
Our sages (Erchin 15b) stated that the etymology of “Metzora” is “Motzee Sheim Rah” (MSR, lit. fabricating a bad name; fig. lying about another person,) alluding to the metzora being divine retribution for speaking ill of others. MSR is a subcategory of the overall rubric of “Lashon HaRa” (lit. evil speech; fig. slandering another, even when what one says is true.)
The essential nature of this speech is that it lowers someone stature in other peoples’ eyes. To extend Reb Shlomo’s teaching, if only we would see the image of God in another person, we would never speak ill of them (in fact, we’d find reason to praise them.)
The Torah sets the bar where just like we would not speak ill, even in subtle ways, of those very close us (spouse, children, parents), we should not do so with others since we are all, in fact, closer than we might think. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof (Mishlei 18:21). Let’s choose life and enjoy the fruits of harmonious and more peaceful relationships.
Shabbat Shalom!