Leviticus 12:1–13:59
Parshat Tazria–Metzora
Tazria deals with a mother's purification after childbirth and the circumcision of a boy on the eighth day, then with tzara'at, a spiritual affliction of the skin, clothing and houses diagnosed by the kohen. In Metzora, usually read together with it, the healed person is purified and further laws of impurity are given. The Sages link tzara'at to lashon hara, harmful speech.
Essays
Parsha Tazria-Metzora – A Tale of Two Birds There has always been tension between the forces of unity and the forces of separation. Unity with some separation is anarchy. Separation without unity is war. Judaism asserts the need for both. These complementary forces will be fused together through Moshiach. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Animals Before Humans? One of Judaism’s paradoxes is to be happy with every bit of progress yet never be satisfied with even colossal achievements. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Are You Truly Poor? Before claiming poverty we should reflect on the true nature of wealth and how we are so blessed. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Choose Life! One can fight negativity with negativity or with light. The Chassidic approaches prefers the latter. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Do Not Fear! Punishment is never meted out to take revenge. Punishment is ultimately for the good of society and for the good of the sinner because it helps to rehabilitate and procure atonement for the sinner. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Dr. Cohen the Dermatologist Stagnation is the source of many of our emotional and spiritual maladies. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Envy, Desire and Honor The three most destructive traits are envy, desire and pursuit of honor/power. The Torah teaches us that these three traits can also be positive when channeled properly. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Family Planning The periods of life in which we feel uncertainty and lack of clarity are the lulls that allow us to introspect and gather energy for the next direction in life. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Freedom of Speech Freedom is a concept and experience that exists on many levels. One that is highlighted by Passover is the freedom of speech METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Fusing Tohu and Tikkun: The Challenge of the Messianic Age The world of Tohu is a chaotic world. The world of Tikkun is a limited world. Our challenge is to unleash the power and passion of Tohu into the balanced and peaceful state of Tikkun. That is Moshiach. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Inside Out and Outside in In Chassidic tradition we always look beneath the surface of others to discover their hidden good. However, we must also appreciate the surface and superficial good others possess and praise them for it. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Guard Your Thoughts As important as it is to guard our tongue from negative and slanderous speech; it is even more important to alter our thought patterns. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Jewish Demolition Crew Discovers Treasure We all possess hidden treasures. People in crisis mode often discover their hidden potential. The goal is for people in non-crisis mode to discover the same. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Like a Lesion There are some who are not sensitive to subtle language when they should. There are others who are too careful even when their words can be misconstrued. Our verbal challenge is to know when to use pure language and when to use language purely. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Nega-Tive Relationships Relationships are challenging. Everyone needs a mentor who is imbued with sensitivity and humility to help us navigate the pathways of our relationships with G-d and other people. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Only Skin Deep Just like the body breaks out in hives or a rash when it cannot tolerate certain substances, so too the soul will have an allergic reaction to evil. Don’t suppress that feeling; excise the irritant! METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Peaks and Valleys The goal of reaching the peak requires that we know that we are now in a valley. Each peak becomes the next valley, so that we continue to grow. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Reciprocity Judaism believes in its leaders. The leaders inspire and ignite the spark in his followers. Their ignited spark then empowers the leader to lead. There is no end to this cycle. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Skin Care The myth in our society is that the exterior is either the most important thing or the least important. Materialists delight in the external; spiritualists shun it. Judaism realizes the infinite power that lies in every thought, word or deed. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Seven Paradigm Shifts The skin disorder, tzara’as is a metaphor for Galus/exile and, according to the Talmud is caused by seven sins Redemption happens when we channel these seven traits into positive actions and attitudes. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – The Five Books and Five Modes of Speech The power of speech is what makes us human. Compromising speech compromises our humanity. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – The Power of Speech Humans are called Midabrim-speakers. There is no more human quality and gift than the ability to communicate our ideas and feelings through speech. We should use it wisely. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – The Real You Counter intuitively, the state of the Jewish nation is good and strong. We are ready for Moshiach! METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – The Three Haircuts There are powerful forces swirling around us today as a prelude to the ultimate Redemption. Our challenge today is not a dearth of spirituality but our ability to safely and securely absorb these powerful forces. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Uncovering the Treasures with Sensitivity While Moshiach will liberate us from exile, he will not free us from our obligations to G-d and others. To bring Moshiach we cannot compromise our dedication to every nuance of Torah. METZORA METZORA Parsha Tazria-Metzora – White Is Not Always Beautiful White symbolizes removing the façade to expose the underbelly of our personalities. This can be either a cathartic or embarrassing experience, or both. METZORA METZORA