Stepping Stones To ShalomSample

Love Peace and Pursue It!

 In Leviticus 13:2, we learn that anyone who suspected that he or she might have the “defiling skin disease,” in Hebrew tzara’at, had to see Aaron, the High Priest, or one of his descendants. Now, the last time I thought something was amiss in my physical body, I went to a doctor. 

Why were the children of Israel commanded to go to a priest, specifically Aaron, or one of his sons?

The Jewish sages teach that tzara’at wasn’t a physical disease like the others. It was primarily a spiritual disease that had physical symptoms, which is why a spiritual healer was needed more than a medical expert. At the root of this spiritual/physical affliction was the sin of speaking badly about others. Whether a person engaged in regular gossip or slandered others with lies, the result was the defiling skin disease.

The rabbis teach that a common justification among those who gossip is, “But it’s true!” We rationalize our actions by explaining that if something is true, it’s ok to say it. We hide behind the notion that “others need to know the truth,” which may be appropriate in some extreme cases, but isn’t usually the case when it comes to how Susan treated you yesterday or what you overheard Bill say about Gary at the coffee machine. So while we may think that we are doing others a favor by sharing the truth with them, the fact is that we are doing everyone a huge disservice by creating wedges between people and severing the bonds of humanity.

This is why the gossiper was sent to Aaron. Aaron was the champion of shalom, even at the cost of truth. This is how Aaron would operate: As soon as he heard that two people were quarreling, he would go to each side and claim that the other was remorseful. He would exaggerate how badly each one felt and the good things said by one party about the other. 

This would create the space for each side to meet, and reconcile. Yes, Aaron compromised the truth, but for the sake of peace. This, according to Judaism is not only permissible, but advisable. Hillel the Elder used to say: “Be a student of Aaron: love peace and pursue peace.” We find the same directive in the Psalms where we read: "seek peace and pursue it" (34:14).

If Aaron was able to sacrifice truth for shalom, how much more so must we stay away from compromising shalom for the sake of “truth.” Let’s use our words to bring people together. Let us build bridges and help rectify old rifts. Love peace and pursue it!

Stepping Stone 7: Speak words of shalom. Our words have the power to create peace or destroy relationships. The tongue is a powerful weapon. Resolve to use your power of speech for good; for bringing people together, creating meaningful bonds with others, and diffusing strife while establishing shalom instead.