Lashon Hara Hurts Your Skin

It is easy to tell yourself that what you said about someone was true, and that you had a good reason. Parshas Metzora gives lashon hara a very specific punishment: tzaraas on the skin. Why that, when Hashem's punishments match the sin? Rav Chaim Shmulevitz points to the Gemara that counts a metzora among those considered as if dead, and the reason says something about connection between Jews. A second idea explains why it appears as a spot. Rabbi Asaf Prisman ends with the Chofetz Chaim in old age, a doctor's advice, and his surprising reaction.