Leprosy and גאוה

A final idea related to the case of צרעת, leprosy, is that there must be a realization of the danger of גאוה and גסות הרוח, haughtiness and conceit. This is the main reason why individuals are led to sin. The Rabbis remind us that הרהורי עבירה קשה מעבירה, that contemplating sin is worse than sin itself. It is part of this overwhelming feeling of superiority and greatness, with no accountability. Hashem has very little tolerance for the conceited individual. The Gemara in סוטה points out that Hashem says that he and I cannot live in this world together. Either he is running the world, or I am. The leper in particular, must overcome his גאוה, and accept that he acted wrongly, and repent. Only then will he be cured of his disease. Today is יום הזכרון, the day we remember our fallen soldiers. I saw a great quote that says it all: “Jews have two memorial days. יום הזכרון reminds us the cost of having Israel. יום השואה reminds us the cost of not having Israel.” May the memory of our brave heroic soldiers, be for blessing.