Regarding the requirement that a Nega Tzara’as must be seen by a Kohen, the Mishna (Negaim 2:5) states, “All Negaim one may see, except his own.” In our Aggadic literature, this Mishna is often cited in a figurative way: All faults one may see, except his own. This, of course, points to the fact that we see the shortcomings of others with great clarity; of our own we are oblivious. (See, for example, Ruach Chaim to Pirkei Avos 2:1 and Medrash Shmuel to Pirkei Avos 1:7.)
We may suggest that this is not simply a play on words; the Aggadic interpretation is actually the rationale for the legal ruling of this Mishna. Tzara’as is not simply a skin disease; it is a Divine sign of a sinful act or negative personality trait. (We are all familiar with the association of Tzara’as and Lashon Hara, but in fact Tzara’as can come as a consequence of other sins as well. See Erechin 16a.) If a person was to examine his own Tzara’as, he undoubtedly would give himself a favorable diagnosis as an unfavorable diagnosis would point to a flaw that he cannot bring himself to see.
To expand on this idea, we may observe that we often have a difficult time seeing ourselves even in a positive light. Why would this be? Certainly we have no problem noting our achievements and successes. Yet, we may have a problem noting our potentialities, especially when they have not been actualized. There is no greater flaw than unrealized potential. By denying this potential we spare ourselves of the pain of facing the fact that we squander it to our own detriment.
To overcome this blind spot, we may need the encouragement of others. The Mishna in this week’s Perek (Pirkei Avos 2:11) relates that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zackai would cite the praises of each of his main disciples. We should assume that this was not simple flattery. Rather, by pointing out their unique strengths, he was forcing them to face the reality of their own potential and rise to the challenge.
Conversely, we find that the 24,000 disciples of Rabbi Akiva died for the failure to honor one another (Yevamos 62b). The question has been asked: We know that one of the great teachings of Rabbi Akiva (Sifra, Parshas Kedoshim , Ch.
The answer is that they did not mistreat one another. The certainly loved each other and would give the shirt off their backs to friends in need. But they did not honor one another. That is, they failed to acknowledge the unique characteristics of one another. (It is important to remember that we love those who are like ourselves; we honor those who are special in some way, possessing qualities that we ourselves lack.) Their sin was the failure to enable their colleagues to realize their own potential to the fullest by giving them the needed encouragement. For men who were destined to be the future teachers of Klal Yisrael, this was a fatal flaw.
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