Where did Geichazi go wrong? We cannot claim to understand what his calculations were, but as stated above, they were not simply the result of lust or tainted desire. This is what we know:
After Elisha healed the non-Jewish general, Naaman from his tzara’as, Naaman wished to compensate him. Elisha insisted that he would not accept any payment. When Naaman left, he was followed by Geichazi who shouted: “My master sent me saying, ‘Just now two young men of the prophets’ disciples have arrived to me from Mount Ephraim’” (Melachim Beis 5:22-27) and Elisha did not have any food or clothing to give them. Geichazi, in the name of his master Elisha, begged Naaman, “Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.” When Elisha discovered Geichazi’s deception, he cursed him saying, “Naaman’s leprosy shall therefore cleave to you and to your children forever.” The curse took effect immediately; the verse informs us that when Geichazi left Elisha’s presence, he was white as snow with leprosy.
According to Chazal Geichazi’s faults were known long before this. On some level, he was a “tzar ayin,” envious and resentful of others, and he had prevented many deserving students from studying in Elisha’s yeshiva (see Yerushalmi Sanhedrin Perek 10, Halacha 2). But his worst sin was the incident with Naaman. Elisha had just sanctified Hashem’s name by refusing any form of payment for having healed Naaman. Geichazi’s actions undid Elisha’s Kiddush Hashem. Not only did he run after Naaman for money, but he claimed it was Elisha who sent him. That is why Elisha put such a terrible curse upon Geichazi.
Did Geichazi repent after Elisha castigated him? Rav Tzadok Hakohein of Lublin (Pri Tzadik, Metzora 7) says that he did and his proof is our haftarah. Chazal teach that merits only come through those who are meritorious, megalgelin zechus al yedei zakai, and since Klal Yisrael’s salvation became revealed through Geichazi, he must have repented and became a zakai, learning from his suffering as a leper. Elsewhere (Tzidkas Hatzadik 73), Rav Tzadok says that we see that Geichazi did teshuvah from the fact that he could have taken all the spoils from the camp of Aram for himself but did not do so. Apparently, he conquered his lust for money and his begrudging nature, and became generous, ready to share with others. Chazal even say that Elisha was the one who eventually helped him repent.
As long as we are alive, no matter how far we have strayed, we can change and make penance.
Are there moments in our lives when we act like Geichazi? How can we make amends?