Zera Shimshon takes note of this strange reason. We do not find this suggestion elsewhere? Why is the condition of tzoras unique that we solicit the prayers of strangers? Before suggesting an answer, Zera Shimshon asks another question as follows.

We know that tzoras comes to a person as a method of rectifying the person’s evil speech. There is one opinion in the Talmud that teaches that one who speaks lashon hara has no way to rectify his condition since Dovid Hamelech says in Psalm 12 “HaShem will root out all lips that speak evil speech”. Once Dovid made such a decree and as the Talmud points out that this decree is active, how can his tzoras correct his evil tongue?

Zera Shimshon explains that the prayers of the community have the power of breaking a heavenly decree. Therefore, the function of his tzoras is to inspire those who learn of his condition to pray for him and with the power of the collective prayers of the community his tzoraas will recede and his evil tongue will be corrected.

Our entire Jewish community is currently in a state of isolation similar to that of the metzora. We all want to return to our normal routine of life but HaShem has prevented us.

The Zera Shimshon instructs us that the way to get out of this condition is through the prayers of the community. But, alas, we are unable to hold minyanim in our shuls or even outside. Has HaShem locked us out and thrown away the key?

As we count the Omer every day in preparation for our approach to Mount Sinai at which our entire nation was unified like one person with one heart, perhaps we can tap into that energy already today. If we can just feel the pain that so many of our fellows Jews are experiencing; the
death of close ones, the loss of income and just being locked up indefinitely then perhaps sharing in that pain can bring us so much closer together. Perhaps HaShem will see our prayers that we daven for one another as a tefilah b’tzibur, as a communal prayer and with that He will bring an end to this extreme punishment.

Let us leave with the words of Yeshayahu in this week’s Haftorah. “Be glad with Yerushalayim and rejoice in her, all you who love her; exult in her triumph, all who mourned for her”.

Have a safe and wonderful Shabbos.

Paysach Diskind