Category Archives: Vayikra

Metzora 5779

Metzora

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IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW

The Shulchan Aruch, the Jewish code of law, teaches us that this Shabbos, the Shabbos preceding Pesach, has a special name; Shabbos Hagadol, The Great Shabbos.

The reason for this name is because the Shabbos before our Exodus all the Jews tied sheep to their bedposts for the sake of slaughtering them four days later. This should have caused an uproar from the Egyptians as they viewed sheep as their deity. However, miraculously not one Egyptian raised a hand against a Jew. Because of this event the Shabbos is referred to as The Great Shabbos.

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Tazria Metzora 5783

Metzora, Tazria

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BARLEY IS FOR ANIMALS AND WHEAT IS FOR MAN

Nations identify their greatness and success in terms of their economic success. A strong economy spells a strong nation. Naturally, national pride runs parallel to this strength. For a nation whose economy is based on their agricultural output we could well imagine that the period of their harvest would be a period where national pride reaches a climax. And yet, as we see from the mitzvah of the Omer and the prohibition to harvest the new crop before the
second day of Pesach, our people have a different perspective.

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Tazria 5782

Tazria

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ALWAYS FRESH, ALWAYS NEW

As this Shabbos is Rosh Chodesh Nissan, we will read Parshas Hachodesh which is the very first mitzvah that HaShem gave us as a people. It is curious that this seminal mitzvah should relate to our constructing a calendar. Would it have not been more appropriate to have the first mitzvah be something like the mitzvah to love HaShem or to fear HaShem.

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Tazria Metzora 5781

Metzora, Tazria

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THE COST OF THE BRIDAL GOWN

In this week’s Parsha the Torah teaches us the concept of tzoras which is discoloration of the skin, of the walls of the house and on the clothing. When this discoloration occurs on the person, house or clothing it renders the person, house or clothing tamei, spiritually impure, and the laws of tuma apply to it. Our Sages teach us that tzoras is not a natural phenomenon, rather a supernatural phenomenon which is sent from HaShem as an indication to the recipient that he should correct his behavior. The Talmud teaches for which sins tzaraas occurs so that the afflicted person will understand the message he is being sent.

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Tazria Metzora 5780

Metzora, Tazria

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END THE QUARANTINE BY COMING REAL CLOSE TOGETHER

In this week’s double Parsha, Tazria Metzora, we are taught that when a person contracts tzoras and is declared ‘tomei’ he is sent out of the city and must cry out “tomei, tomei”. The Talmud teaches us that the metzora must declare his state of “tomei” for people to know about his condition so that they will daven for him.

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Tazria 5779

Tazria

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THE SCULPTOR

This week’s Parsha, Tazria, begins with the mitzvah of performing a Bris Milah on every Jew boy on the eighth day from his birth. I would like to discuss the purpose of Bris Milah and its implications.

The Ramban explains the reason for the Torah’s prohibition of mixing species such as breeding a horse with a donkey is because we are interfering with HaShem’s creation. If HaShem wanted there to be a mule, the product of this mixed breed, He would have created it. Evidently, He does not wish for there to be mules. The question we may ask on the Ramban is from the mitzvah of Bris Milah, in which we find that we are specifically instructed to alter the form of man in a way that he was not originally designed.

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Shmini 5782

Shmini

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REB CHAIM & THE KEDUSHA WITHIN

This Shabbos we will read Parshas Para, the additional Parsha of the Red Heifer. This Parsha teaches us the many laws that relate to tumas meis, the impurity that comes from the body of a Jew who has died. The Parsha opens with the introductory statement; “This is the Law of the Torah.” The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh asks how are these laws The Laws of the Torah any more than the laws regarding other mitzvos? Just as the Parsha of the korban Pesach opens with “These are the laws of the Pesach”, this Parsha should open with “These are the laws of Tuma”.

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Shmini 5781

Shmini

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HOW VALUABLE IS MONEY?

As we are currently in the interim between Pesach and Shavuous we find our-selves counting the Omer from day one moving up to day 49 after which we celebrate Shavuous. The idea of counting every day reflects our anticipation for the great day on which HaShem will give us the Torah. Although normally one counts down to the day of great anticipation we count up. The reason for this is parallel to the counting that the chosson and kallah count towards their wedding day. Before the couple counts down to the wedding day there are prerequisites that need to be put in order. They need a venue, a caterer, a band, a florist, a photographer, a videographer and so on. Only after those needs are in order can they begin to count down. So we can actually call the days preceding the countdown as the count up where they collect all the necessary components to make the wedding.

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Shmini 5779

Shmini

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THE PRESENT OF HIS PRESENCE

The Jewish people reached their apex in this week’s Parsha, Shmini, with the completion and inauguration of the Mishkan. Finally, after all the preparations and building and practice, the first day of Nissan arrived and HaShem’s Presence will fill the Mishkan, the handiwork of our people. At every step of the process, the Torah testifies that it was all done according to the strict rules and instructions and the proper intentions that HaShem instructed Moshe. In spite of their conscientious dedication to all the details, nevertheless, once everything was done and the inaugural offerings were brought, HaShem’s Presence was nowhere to be seen. Our Sages teach that Aaron was shamefaced. He was certain that HaShem had not accepted his offerings and that the sin of the Golden Calf still hung over him. At that point Moshe and Aaron entered the Mishkan and davened to HaShem that He have mercy on them and rest His Presence on the Mishkan. After that prayer the Shechina descended.

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