This Shabbat we are reading Parasha Metzora, which continues to talk about the importance of moving away from the Lashon Hara. This Shabbat before Pesach is known by its special name “The Great Shabbat,” for the miracles and wonders that occurred that day before leaving Egypt for freedom.

Personal freedom begins when we can free ourselves from our own emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual limitations, which can cause us a lot of harm both personally and collectively. These negative thoughts and words that could harm ourselves or other people, are sometimes based on personal disagreements or different beliefs, which leads us to speak badly of those people.

It is essential to eradicate these negative feelings from our lives and free ourselves from the limitations that prevent us from experiencing a full and happy life.

If we want to celebrate freedom and be truly free, we must avoid thinking negatively and speaking badly of others. Every negative word we speak in public is no longer under our control and what we speak has us trapped. We lose our freedom, so we must be aware of the way we speak.

We speak badly about other people, when we are not satisfied with what we have and we are envious of others, then we believe that by speaking badly, we will feel better, but it is completely the opposite.

The best way to achieve personal and collective freedom is to unite as one person, with one heart, even if we have differences of opinion. We must learn to love ourselves and live in harmony, rejoice in the achievements and successes of our fellow human beings, and feel happy and satisfied with what Hashem has given us. This way of acting will bring us closer to achieving complete personal and general freedom.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Refael Cohen