When the Torah prohibits cutting your body in agony over the loss of a relative it says "you shall not make a cut in your "flesh""(Leviticus 19-28)

In the same verse when it prohibits tattooing oneself it says "a tattoo you shall  not place on yourselves"" .It does not say on your "flesh"

Why the different wording ?

The Ohr HaChaim explains, the Creator in his great compassion takes into account the mourner's distress and lessens the spiritual damage that this sin causes. The word "flesh" implies the effect of the sin is only external.

Whereas by tattoo a person usually not under distress so the Torah says ,don't cause damage to "yourselves". By doing the sin with full composure one's sin is causing damage to "yourselves" - your inner essence.      

2 things that I took out of this Ohr HaChaim:

#1: We see that if the  Creator takes into account our pain and  distress and lessens the spiritual damage that it causes , then surely if we don't give into the urge and pass the test or we do Mitzvos  even when we are in distress than surely we get tremendous reward. As our Sages tell us "depending on the pain/effort that's how much reward". And "One act in pain is better than 100 acts without".

#2: If the Creator takes into consideration our full picture ,then we should do that for our friends. When our friend wrongs us instead of writing him off as an evil, insensitive person, we could look at his full picture and realize he might be going through something difficult right now.

On the other hand reminding ourselves of our past successes can give us strength to take on new challenges.

As we see in the Torah the Creator tells the Jewish people that "you" can take on a life of morality and holiness because in the past "you" lived holy and pure lives. The Creator was reminding them of their past success of a time while they were in Egypt and the jews on their own decided to lead holy and moral lives.

The Creator was telling them "I know living a clean life is an almost an impossible goal ,at the same time you have this very special strength which you attained while pursuing holiness in Egypt ". Basically, you have it in you!  

Idea from The Piaseczna Z''ya & the Sefer Hachinuch on Parshas Metzora

It's embarrassing when you're less than average in your self-control. No matter how hard you try you keep on losing to your urges. You look around and it seems as if your friends don't share the same impulses as you. You start feeling ashamed for who you are and see no good in your "weak" nature.

Well, what if this nature of yours is precisely the thing that is bringing you closer to G-D.

Moses wasn't able to donate to the tabernacle because he had no issue departing from his money, so it wouldn't be meaningful to G-D. It was only the regular Jew who struggled to give from his money that the Creator saw his sacrifice and cherished the donation.

So, in our lives when we notice that we're weaker than the rest and we struggle mightily to pass our tests, the Creator is noticing our efforts. It's more meaningful to Him.

The person to whom it comes easy to isn't sacrificing anything to pass this test, so he isn't showing as much dedication as the to whom it comes hard to

Idea from Shem M'Shmuel

Idea from The Lechovitcher Zy"a.

Reason #2: We each have our own perception of things and our point of view can be inspiring to others.

Idea from Beis Avrohom of Slomin Zy"a.

Idea from Beis Avrohom Of Slomin Zy"a.

Idea from Ohr Hachaim and Imrei Emes

https://www.traumatherapistinstitute.com/blog/Co-Regulation-of-the-Autonomic-Nervous-System

Idea from the Imrei Emes 

Idea from Rav Dessler

Can I wear my suit before it’s been checked?

We discussed the materials. But how do the wool and linen need to be combined to be problematic?

Is it Sewing, twisting or weaving that creates the Shatnez?

The Halachos are very relevant, but also very obscure.

The very first question to address is, which materials consist of Shatnez? Is it only wool and linen, or is it broader?

Join R’ Melamed as he explores and elucidates these Halachos.