What is the root cause for the disease of tzara’at as described in the Torah? The Midrash explains that this skin disease is a punishment for gossip and slander. A person suffering from tzara’at is called a metzora because he is “motzee sheim ra” — he spreads derogatory reports (Vayikra Rabbah 16:1. See Rambam, Laws of Tzara’at 16:15, that one fulfills the mitzvah “Be careful regarding tzara’at” (Deut. 24:8-9) by avoiding gossip).
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