Parsha Tazria-Metzora: Leviticus 12:1-15:33

Parsha Tazria-Metzora Day 1 (Part 2): Leviticus 13:1-23 (Study Notes)

(Leviticus 13) Various forms of Skin Affections

After discussing the state of a woman after giving birth, we are immediately told about various skin affections and infections that can grow in wounds. While we can skip past the order of informmation given, we must understand that in Hashem’s wisdom, the order of information matters.

When we pause and consider why the discussions and commands about leprosy are given after the information about the birth of seeds, it follows the pattern in creation. Havah is the mother of all living. Her seeds, however, were born after her being was changed due to sin. This changed body is capable of developing diseases, illnesses, and death.

Thus, by pondering the order of information given here in Leviticus, we can understand better the isolation period of a woman after birth for the reasons stated…

Parsha Tazria-Metzora:

Day 1 (Part 1): Leviticus 12

(Study Notes)

The name of the first part of this double parsha is Tazria. Tazria means “bringing forth seed”, which is commonly translated as “childbirth.”

The Parsha’s name gives meaning to the “seed” we have learned about thus far in our studies. In our last parsha study, we discussed how a seed could become unclean if the carcass of a dead animal fell on it and water was then placed on the seed. We mentioned that this scenario could be understood as a picture of the lost ten tribes of Judah—or the Jews who may not know they are Jews and have found themselves in false religious circles.

We mentioned that if a Lost Jew is in such a situation, Hashem has mercy. But, once Hashem puts His water (ie: Torah teachings) on the seed, that soul becomes unclean if he or she…

Parsha Tazria-Metzora: Day # 2 (Leviticus 13:24-39)

(Study Notes)

As with the last portion of the Parsha, this section discusses additional skin afflictions and the accompanying examinations that are commanded to determine if a person has a disease or if the person is clean and is affected with a normal (not due to disease) skin abnormality.

(Leviticus 13:24-28) Skin Afflictions: Burns

This section, like the section on scars, provides the examination that must take place after a person has healed from a burn.

If you have ever suffered a burn, you may well know that a new patch of skin will form that does not look like the rest of your skin.

Parsha Tazria-Metzora: Day # 3 (Leviticus 13:40-54)

(Study Notes)

This section of our weekly double Parsha discusses various types of baldness: both those that are normal and those that become abnormal.

We also begin to learn about what to do when cloth or skins (hides) become affected by various molds, mildews, and spreading afflictions.

(Leviticus 13:40-44) Normal Baldness

After discussing the various scaly afflictions that arise on the head and beard, Moshe Rabbeinu discusses baldness and additional head afflictions.

Parsha Tazria-Metzora: Day 4

(Leviticus 13:55-14:20)

(Study Notes)

(Leviticus 13:55-58)

Moshe Rabbeinu declares that if after washing in water and remaining in isolation for the second seven day separation period the affection in the cloth:

1. Has not changed and has not spread: the cloth is unclean. Even though the red and green affliction did not spread, there is also no healing nor fading. Since the affected area did not improve, the entire cloth must be consumed by fire. The diagnosis is “Fret”

Parsha Tazria-Metzora: Day 5 (Leviticus 14:21-32)

(Study Notes)

As with the guilt offerings in Leviticus chapter 5, we learned there is a sliding scale based on the poverty level of the person who is cleansed from his or her leprosy.

Moshe Rabbeinu declares that if a person is too poor to bring two lambs (mentioned in Leviticus 14:10-11), then he or she can bring:

1. A male lamb—which will be elevated for expiation. This practice is only performed for Thanksgiving well-being burnt offerings. Thus, as mentioned earlier, what makes this lamb a “guilt offering “ is the log of oil that is burned along with this lamb. The oil burns as the necessary fat turned to smoke, which allows for the expiation and forgiveness of guilt. The male lamb is not a guilt offering. Only a female lamb is a guilt/sin offering (see Leviticus 5).

2. 1/10 of choice flour with oil…

Parsha Tazria-Metzora: Day 6

(Leviticus 14:33-15:15)

(Study Notes)

(Leviticus 14:33-53)

Hashem, not Moshe Rabbeinu, directly declares the affections that He will send upon His peoples’ homes when His Israelites settle in the holy promised land of Israel and conquer the land of Canaan as their home land. The following plagues are promised to come only if the Jewish people do not keep mitzvot in the Holy Land—Zion, the dwelling place of Hashem, and Jerusalem where Hashem has written His name forever.

The following plagues are akin to the plagues of Egypt and are promised to come as curses to those who transgress Torah. (See the blessings and curses in Deuteronomy 27-28).

Parsha Tazria-Metzora: Day 7

(Leviticus 15:16-33)

(Study Notes)

The final portion of this week’s parsha discusses the various aspects of uncleanness that arise from bodily discharges. The first section discusses discharges from the nose and mouth. These can be understood as those discharges that are expelled when someone coughs or sneezes.

The discharges can be released when someone is healthy or when someone has a cold or other respiratory illness. Either way, the discharges make the person and the things that contact the discharges unclean. Anyone who contacts the person, the discharge, or any bedding or cloth with the discharge on it is declared unclean. They must wash their clothes, bathe in water and remain unclean until evening.

The second half of the final parsha portion discusses male seminal discharges and female discharges of blood. As mentioned previously, both of these types of discharges contain within them the seeds of…