Moses received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it Joshua. Joshua transmitted it to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets transmitted… Read More »Chapter 1, Mishna 1(b) : The First Commandment: Know Yourself
This week’s parsha of Metzora, the last regular reading before Pesach {Passover}, continues with the laws of tzara’as {loosely defined as leprosy}. This tzara’as is… Read More »Purging the Evil Within
Shabbos Night THESE TWO PARSHIOS begin the laws regarding spiritual impurity. The first one is that which results from birth, and the second is the… Read More »Good and Bad Together
The Mitzvah The appearance of tzaraas, a leprous spot upon man’s skin necessitated a check by the kohen who would determine whether this rendered him… Read More »Tzaraas: Spot Checks
Once upon a time Yehudit and Leah were walking home after a hard day at school. For weeks, their class had been trying to behave… Read More »Tattletaling
There is an old saying that a candle in the sunlight serves no purpose. Dazzled by the bright illumination of the sun, we really gain… Read More »Plants and Wheelchairs
M’lochim II 7:3 This week’s haftorah tells us of the miraculous defeat of the camp of Aram. In the merit of King Yehoram’s retraction from… Read More »Haftorah Commentary Tazria – Metzorah
There is a fascinating paradox that relates to the laws of tzora’as, the spiritual malady, a skin discoloration that affects those who gossip. On one… Read More »Sounds of Solitude
I read in Pirkei Avos that I am now considered to have reached maturity, so perhaps I may be allowed to indulge in a bit… Read More »Chapter One Hundred Forty-Nine
“Go to the flock and take two choice young kids…” (Bereshith 27:9) In this verse, Rivka commanded Yaakov to take goats that belonged to her… Read More »Ends and Means