The meaning of punishment is not to hurt somebody, but the cleanse him, and give him time to reevaluate his life and to start a new, just like the Metzora who speaks Lashan Hara, where originally his house gets afflicted if he doesn’t get the message, then his clothing, and eventually himself where he gets sent out of the community, giving him time to reflect, and think about his life, reevaluate it, and start a new. לקו״ש כב