The torah says "Guard yourself from the affliction of tzaraas..." and then juxtaposes ( fancy term for putting next to each other ) "Remember what Hashem did to Miriam..."
The simple meaning - Miriam got tzaraas - make sure you don't get it too !
However, Rashi tells us that 'guarding yourself from tzaraas' means making sure not to accidentally peel off any skin sore which may be tzaraas ( eeeeeewwww ). Doesn't sound like much of an accident to me -
'hmm I wonder what this is ? Oh ! Uh, uh, I guess I'll just flick it off and no one will know'
Yet, when we think we can offer a superficial answer to tzaraas - like just flicking it off - comes the Torah to remind us that we can't.
You see, Miriam got tzaraas because she spoke ill of Moshe Rabbeinu ( She said he was acting a little too remote - even for a prophet). But, she really didn't mean to - she thought what she was saying was true - she didn't investigate further to realize that her prophecy and her brother Moshe's prophecy were totally different. Her actions weren't just wrong they were superficial.
Let's remember that every time we feel like someone did something wrong and it would be a 'mitzva' to publicize and not let them 'get away with it'. Are we thinking or acting superficially ? Could there be another side to the story ?
- till next time,
R' Druyan
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