Why was a person afflicted with “Tzaraat” (commonly inaccurately translated as “leprosy”) punished with having to leave the camp of the Israelites?
Our sages explain that “Tzaraat” was not really a physical illness, rather, it was an external physical symptom of a much more significant internal spiritual malady. The spiritual malady was the behavior of engaging in negative talk and gossip about others (known as “Lashon Hara”).
Harmful gossip causes strife and conflict among people. As the Torah’s principle is always “Midah Kneged Midah” – measure for measure – thus, the appropriate punishment and rectification for gossip is to spend time alone, away from others. The purpose of this period of exclusion is to bring about internal reflection on the harm brought about by negative gossip, divisiveness and conflict.
This reminds us how important it is to avoid unnecessary gossip – not only the sharing of gossip, but even the willful receiving of it.
Conversely, thinking and speaking positively about others is not only the higher road to choose for ourselves, but it also has the added benefit of helping to reveal and bring out the good that is within the other.