The Parshah of Tazria-Metzora continues the discussion of the laws of ritual impurity and purity.

A woman giving birth should undergo a process of purification, which includes immersing in a mikvah and bringing offerings to the Holy Temple. All baby boys are to be circumcised on the eighth day of life.

Tzaraat is a supra-natural plague, which can afflict people as well as garments or homes. If white or pink patches appear on a person’s skin, a kohen is summoned. Judging by various signs, such as an increase in size of the afflicted area after a seven-day quarantine, the kohen pronounces impure or pure.

A person afflicted with tzaraat must dwell alone outside of the camp (or city) until he is healed. The afflicted area in a garment or home must be removed.

On Shabbat we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Iyar. In Hebrew, the word Iyar is an acronym for “I am G-d your Healer.” This month is a propitious time for healing. This is the only month of the year that there is a special opportunity to do a Mitzvah for every single day; counting the Omer.

We learn that one of the reasons that Tzarat afflicts a person is if they speak Lashon Hara (evil talk) about another.

It is said that one who speaks in such a manner (even if what was said wasn’t negative per se), kills three people: the one who spoke it, the one who listened and the one spoken about.

The following parable explains the dangers of Lashon Hara. Take a fluffy pillow. Open it up and shake it out. The feathers will fall down onto the floor. Wait just a few moments and the feathers will fly and spread out everywhere making them impossible to catch and put back.

This is what happens with Lashon Hara. Tell one person something about someone else and before you know it, it becomes the latest rumor all around town. This is why the Torah warns us so strongly about Evil talk.

When Moshiach comes, all Shuls and houses of Study will be attached the to Beit Hamikdash. The Beit Hamikdash will stand in the middle and be surrounded by all the current and ancient Shuls that were used throughout our time in exile.

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Mourners crowded the streets of Ruhatin in the spring of 1889. Rabbi Uri Langner, their beloved rebbe, had returned his pure soul to its maker.

The silence was broken only by the sobs of the chassidim. Among them was a simple man, a tailor by trade. This tailor was not known to frequent the rabbi’s court, and no one knew him to have any particular connection to the rabbi or his teachings.

The silence was broken only by the sobs of the chassidim.

Yet, as the tailor walked along with the slow-moving procession, his body was racked with such violent sobs that the others could not help but stare in wonder. What was the tailor’s connection with the great rabbi?

After the funeral, some of the chassidim asked the tailor to enlighten them. What was it that brought him to such a deep state of mourning?

“As you know, I am an expert tailor,” said the man, whose eyes still glistened with tears. “I make high-quality clothing for princes, nobles and other fine folks.

“One day, around eight years ago, I was summoned to the house of Rabbi Uri. Of course, I came, and he greeted me warmly and ushered me into his room. The rabbi then locked the door and removed a photograph from his drawer.

“To my utter amazement, it was a portrait of Czar Alexander II, the accursed enemy of the Jews. In the photo, Alexander was wearing his full royal uniform. The rabbi then looked at me with a sense of urgency and asked, ‘Can you sew clothing like this for me?’

“I could barely believe my ears. Why would this rabbi, a man of Torah scholarship and piety, want to have a uniform like that of the Czar? But before I could ask another word, I found myself nodding in agreement. I could do it.

“He gave me the picture, and I got to work. Within a few weeks, the job was done. The uniform was perfect, down to the rich gold braid and the intricate embroidery.

“When I brought my handiwork to the rabbi, he was clearly pleased and grateful for my careful attention to the task he had given me.

“Behind locked doors, he asked me to look at the photo carefully and verify that everything was sewn exactly as shown. ‘Yes, Rebbe,’ I assured him, ‘it’s exact.’

“The rabbi’s face then changed to a deep shade of red. I began to quake with fear, not knowing what would happen next. He looked like an otherworldly apparition, as he did during the high holidays, and I was afraid to stand near him.

I began to quake with fear.

“Suddenly, the rabbi lifted his cane in an upward motion toward his face. The rabbi then lifted his hands and closed his eyes in intense concentration. With tears streaming from his eyes, he called out, “So shall Your enemies be destroyed, G‑d!

“At that moment, I had no idea what I was seeing, but it was clear as day that something important was happening. I was so taken by the scene that I too began to weep.

“After a few moments, it was as if the storm had passed. The rabbi’s face regained its normal expression, and he looked at me calmly. ‘Please don’t tell anyone what you saw here,” he asked. Of course, I agreed.

“A few days later, the news reached our town. Czar Alexander II had been assassinated by a group of young revolutionaries. It was clear to me that it was directly linked to the rabbi’s doings.

“For years I kept the rabbi’s secret. But now that he is no longer among the living, I feel that I can divulge the truth. Now you know why I mourn the rabbi so deeply. He is a holy man who endeavored to bring salvation to his people.”

Wishing to confirm the words of the tailor, chassidim respectfully rummaged through the rabbi’s personal effects. Sure, enough they found a suit of royal clothes, just as the tailor had said.