Upon being purified, the metzora brings a korban which involves two birds. One is slaughtered and the other is set free. Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains the significance of these birds.
The slaughtered bird is obvious – the metzora twittered like a gossiping bird and should feel remorse and seek to identify with the bird – to realize he deserves to be slaughtered for his transgression. The second bird, however, is let free – specifically to a field – not a city.
The most concrete definition of the myriad of sins (stinginess, slander, gossip, etc) that bring upon tzaraas is that these are sins against the fabric of society. Any one of these transgressions has the power to drive a wedge between Jews and cause animosity and hatred.
This is the message of the second bird. We tell the metzora that if he continues to gossip (like the bird) then his options are limited. Either slaughter – or exile. But there is no room in a positive Jewish community for any of those sins – or any tolerance.
Maybe the next time we are looking for some inspiration to help us get past a particularly difficult situation - one where we find ourselves tempted to engage in any one of the tzaraas bearing sins - we should remember this idea and realize how much we benefit from our fellow Jews – and how much we would miss the sense of community they afford. This will certainly help us steer clear of this pitfalls – and in this merit may we welcome Mashiach into our whole community speedily, in our days, amen.
Hatzlacha !
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