Weekly Reading Insights: 
Tazriya/Metzorah 5767

Overview of the Weekly Reading, Tazriya/Metzorah

To be read on the Shabbat of 3 Iyar 5767 /April 21
Torah: Leviticus 12:1-15:33 (Tazriya-Metzora)
Haftorah: II Kings 7:3-20 (about 4 victims of tzara'at)
Pirkei Avot: Chapter Two

Tazriyah, 4th out of 10 in Leviticus, 27th overall, 48th out of 54 in overall length.

Metzorah, 5th out of 10 in Leviticus, 28th overall, 41st out of 54 in overall length.

Tazriya opens with childbirth laws, followed by a long discussion of the distinguishing signs of tzara’at* on skin, hair, and garments.
Metzora discusses the process of purification for a metzora (one having tzara’at), the poor metzora’s offering, tzara’at on houses, and concludes with laws about male and female discharges which cause impurity and means of attaining purification from these.


*tzara’at is a discoloration appearing on skin, hair, garments, and houses, and is sometimes (inaccurately) translated as 'leprosy'


FROM THE MASTERS OF KABBALA

From the holy Zohar, teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai

The exile of the Shechina is a fall from the level of consciousness of unity with the Divine, symbolized by the Tabernacle. This consciousness can be retrieved even in the state of Exile by those "children" of the Shechina who, through meditative unifications, cause an influx of divine light into the sefira of malchut and place her on her feet by reconnecting her with her source in the sefira of bina; this can rectify the internal aspect of exile.

For the full article, click to the "Weekly Holidays" section on our KabbalaOnline site.

* * * * *

From the holy Ari, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed

Rachel's diminished stature, extending only as high as Zeir Anpin's chest, reflects the state of reality during the exile, when the Temple is in ruins. Since reality in this state is imperfect, it is not fitting for us to be totally happy at any time. (Hence the Jewish custom of remembering the destruction of the Temple even at happy occasions, by breaking a glass at a wedding, leaving part of a house unpainted, etc.)

For the full article, click to the "Weekly Holidays" section on our KabbalaOnline site.

* * * * *

From Rabbi Chaim (ben Moshe) Ibn Atar

The days mentioned here are to be understood as seven years similar to the verse Genesis 24:55 where Laban and his mother wanted Rebecca to delay her departure by "yamim" [Hebrew for "days"], i.e. a year. The years which are viewed as the "the birth pangs of Mashiach", last for seven years during which Israel will be refined spiritually in preparation of his arrival. He will make his appearance during the eighth year.

For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on our KabbalaOnline site.


FROM THE CHASSIDIC REBBES

Tazria

"A woman who conceives and bears a son." (Lev. 12:2)

"Woman" is a common metaphor for the Jewish nation. "Conceives," in the Hebrew literally "gives seed," is analogous to the performance of good deeds. Bearing a child is the final Redemption. The performance of mitzvot is compared to the sowing of seed because one tiny seed can be the starting point for an abundance of fine produce. Similarly, just one mitzva can be the source for abundant G-dliness.

(Ohr HaChayim as elucidated in Ohr HaTorah)


A MYSTICAL CHASSIDIC DISCOURSE

from the Chabad Master series, produced by Rabbi Yosef Marcus for

www.ascentofsafed.com and www.kabbalaonline.org


MOSHIACH THIS WEEK

Tazria

"And bears a son...On the eighth day, the child shall be circumcised." (Lev. 12:2-3)

"Bearing a child" hints at the future redemption and "eighth day" hints at the eight strings on the harp for use in the Third Temple, may it be speedily built in our days.
(Ohr HaTorah)

(From L'Chaim #816)


An essay from Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent

(for a free weekly email subscription, click here)
(
W:27-867/Tazriya/Metzorah)

Different people respond to different things in Jewish life. For one there is the g'shmak (pleasure) of clever Torah ideas, others appreciate a strong community or ancient traditions. A third just can't wait for his schmaltz herring or eggs and tzibeles (onions). Some people identify with the more limited, almost uniform like, clothing options. Personally, I am crazy for a Shabbos or holiday meal with (bless them) my children and grandchildren. For me, nothing on this plane compares to the pleasure of being surrounded by a few generations of YOUR own descendants, particularly when no one is in a rush.

When we were just starting, no one ever spoke about it, like no one ever told us that after 4 children it gets much easier (because the oldest can start helping) or that when you begin to keep Shabbos it may feel restrictive but soon becomes addictive. Nevertheless, it is true. The pleasure of being surrounded by your family is tangible.

That is why my third grandchild's bris, celebrated this week was so important to us, because, among other reasons, it set the stage for events to come. By divine providence, it is in this week's Torah portion that we are given the commandment of circumcision. "On the 8th day, you must circumcise the flesh of the foreskin". (12/3)

In 1951, just a year after his father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz passed away, The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, spoke about his memories of the Rebbe Rayatz at a bris for the child of one of his Chassidim at which he was invited to be sandek, (holding the baby during the bris). Even though he had worn his own tallis during prayers earlier in the day, when he put it on for the bris, he did not make a blessing. The Rayatz became very pale, and even turned his head during the cutting, even though he was a trained schochet, certainly used to seeing blood.

During the entire event the Rayatz never stopped whispering, even though it was not known what he was saying. (Each of these anecdotes were related for their interest sake, not as a direction for how we should behave.) After the ceremony, during the meal, the Rebbe Rayatz spoke: "From the time the Torah was given (more than 3300 years ago), the order for serving G-d in a person's life was as follows: First you must remove the foreskin that covers the body (as in the bris) - the principle of controlling our action. This is followed by the removal of the foreskin that covers the tongue - the principle of controlling our speech. After this is the removal of the foreskin that covers our hearts - the principle of thought. (This is connected to the Jewish idea that it is easier to change what goes on inside of us i.e. thoughts and feelings, by first changing our exterior i.e. our actions and speech.)

Interestingly, before the Torah was given, the order was reversed, as we find in the case of our forefather, Avraham. At the age of 3 he already recognized that there was a Creator (thought). Afterwards his mission was to publicize G-d to the world (speech). Only later as an elderly man, was his circumcision (action). Nevertheless", the Rebbe reiterated, "for us, everything begins with action because it is primary."

Later, at the same meal, the Rebbe shared the following: At the bris of one of the grandchildren of the Tzemach Tzedek (3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe) there was a choice between two mohelim (circumcisers). One was very expert but not so able to direct the intention of his actions through high spiritual thoughts (kavanot). The other was very focused spiritually but not as much of an expert. The Tzemach Tzedeck instructed them to take the more expert mohel, saying that a bris is a 'supernal action', so high that an 'address' (from where to draw the energy) is not needed.

The Rayatz concluded that one might think that the reason you should take the greater expert is because the second mohel could simultaneously intend the intentions, since there are situations where this sharing of tasks works. But from the language of the Tzemach Tzedek, 'a supernal action' means that the action is itself enough and the intentions are not needed. Again, action is primary.

P.S. Please also read my weekly Shabbat Law, below.

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