I hope the ideas contained below, will provide you with some topics for discussion, at your Shabbos table.

The Hebrew word for plague, used in this weeks` Sedras, in connection with the plague of Leprosy, is “Nega”. It consists of three letters, “Nun” “Gimmel” and “Ayin”. The Hebrew word for pleasure is “Oneg”. It consists of the same three letters, but in a different order; “Ayin”, “Nun” and “Oneg”. This is a hint to us, if you change the
“Ayin” (the eye) in your life, meaning the way you look at things, you can change the plague into a pleasure.
For example, “Tzorus Ayin” means looking at things with a stingy eye. The Gemara says “Tzorus Ayin” was one of the causes of the Biblical Leprosy. An infamous example of this, was the life story of Gechazi the pupil and attendant of the prophet Elisha. He was an outstanding pupil of Elisha. But he begrudged spending money on supporting the students of Elisha, and actively discouraged more people becoming students. In the end, because of this, and some other failings, he was stricken with Leprosy. The four lepers referred to at the beginning of the Haftorah, were Gechazi and his three sons.
Another of the causes of the Biblical leprosy was talking Loshon Hora. Frequently, speaking Loshon Hora, is driven by “Ayin Ra” that is looking at other people`s successes with envy and jealousy.
By contrast, “Ayin Tov” means looking at other people generously, and being pleased for them about their successes. A person who changes from looking at people with “Tzorus Ayin or with “Ayin Ra”, to looking with “Ayin Tov” will change from having a plague in his life, to having pleasure in his life. It is the difference between being “eaten up” by jealousy, and having a happy life. All you have to do, is change the “Ayin”!

SOURCES; Sefer Vanofeho Arzei E-L. & Rav Pam on Chumash.

-------------------------------------

QUESTION FOR THE WEEK;

Why is it customary not to invite people directly to the Seudah of a Bris, but rather just to inform them it is taking place?

ANSWER;

Because the Gemara says that someone who is invited to the Seudah of a Bris and does not attend, deserves to be put in Cherem. Therefore we want to avoid the possibility of putting people in that position, and just inform them it is taking place.

SOURCES; Pesachim 113b.