“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a phrase I never quite understood. In this week’s double parsha of Tazria and Metzora, we see that our words have an effect not just on others but on ourselves.

In Parshat Tazria, we are told that after a woman gives birth she needs to give korbanot to Hashem, however, strangely, one is a korban for sinning. This woman just helped her husband fulfill the commandment of having children, so how has she sinned? Commentators mention that in her pain the woman may have cursed or sworn that she would never have a child again. For that sin, a woman must bring a korban. In addition, in Tazria and Metzora, we learn about tzaraat, leprosy. Tzaraat is visible white dots on your skin, clothing, or property because you have spoken lashon hara about someone else.

Using words negatively doesn’t just affect the people around the woman who gave birth or the one about whom lashon hara was spoken, but the person who said these negative things. Their connection with Hashem seems to need fixing. A person who can say these things shows a lack of trust in Hashem. While that is the case, we also see in this week’s parsha that Hashem forgives and wants His connection back. In this week’s parshiot, a woman who gave birth and a person who has tzaraat are told to give a korban when it’s done and they have thought about what they did. Hashem is telling them: Come close to me, and I will forgive you.

May we all use our words for good and have trust and faith in Hashem. May Hashem also speedily forgive us when we make mistakes and may He allow the doors to get close to Him to always be open.

Shira Sedek is a passionate educator currently working toward a master’s degree at Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.