Tag: Tazria

Optimism!

The month of Nissan was chosen as the first month of the lunar calendar year because that is when G-d instructed Moshe in the laws determining that Rosh Chodesh is at the first appearance of the moon. Nissan holds a special place for G-d, since in this month He freed His nation from Egypt and …

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Won’t Start!

The Mitzvah of Bris Mila – circumcision – is mentioned in this week’s Parsha. Bris Mila is similar to a sacrifice in certain ways. A bris creates a wound which is forbidden to make on Shabbos, however, when the eighth day falls on Shabbos it is permitted, just as sacrifices were offered in the Temple …

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Think Over!

The two Portions we read this Shabbos almost exclusively concern the laws of Tzoraas. Tzoraas are certain discolorations that appear on one’s skin, garment or house. Only after being appraised by a Kohain could it be determined if it was a Tzoraas malady. If it was indeed Tzoraas, the person was quarantined until the Tzoraas …

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OMG!

Our grandchildren called the other day and shared with us a series of ‘knock knock’ jokes. Of course we laughed along with them even though most of them were the same jokes we remembered from our youth. The other night I had a fitful sleep. I guess it was because my father (Boruch ben Chaya …

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Zodiac!

This Shabbos is Rosh Chodesh Nissan, which the Torah calls the first month of the year. Thus our calendar year has two firsts. Rosh Hashanah, which marks the creation of Adam and when G-d judges us for the year, is celebrated in Tishrei – the seventh month of the year. Then there is Nissan, the …

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Renewal With the Moon

(Torah Portion Tazria) Renewal With the Moon Every year, on the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Nisan, we read an additional segment from a second Torah scroll. In this portion, G-d commanded Moshe to sanctify the new month with the appearance of the new moon. This command was issued while the Jews were still in Egypt …

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The Consequence of the Spoken Word

(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzorah) The Consequence of the Spoken Word We are all aware of the ill effects of slander, bad mouthing, defaming, insulting, spreading rumors, and name-calling, and that they can devastate people’s lives. The Torah demands that we be sensitive to the feelings of others and prohibits all of the above – even when …

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Remedying Envy

(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzorah) Remedying Envy! As the Second World War was raging and the inevitable assault and capture was approaching, many Jews hid their valuables in the hope that if they survived, they would be able to retrieve their money, wealth and family heirlooms. As we know, most of them did not have the fortune …

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House, Clothing and Skin

(Torah Portion Tazria) House, Clothing and Skin The Torah in this week’s portion speaks about Tzoraas – various skin blemishes that develop on parts of one’s body. A Kohain – priest – is the one who determines if it is indeed Tzoraas. If it is Tzoraas, the person is banished from society. He must live …

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World Peace

(Torah Portion Tazria/Metzora) World Peace! King Solomon states in the Book of Proverbs, “Life and death lay in the power of speech.” Today, more so than anytime in history we see the power of the spoken or typed word. We clearly see that one can either be catapulted into instantaneous fame, or more often, one’s …

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