בס״ד תַ זְרִ יעַ ּמְ צֹרָ ע TAZRIA METZORA In loving memory of Malka bat Peretz

Volume 32 | #31 יום העצמאות שמח! April 2020 25 1 Iyar 5780 YOM HA’ATZMAUT SAMEACH! Shabbat ends: 9.06pm Sheffield 9.25pm Edinburgh 9.42pm Birmingham 9.16pm 7.54pm

Rosh Chodesh Iyar Yom Hazikaron starts on Monday night. Yom Ha’atzmaut starts on Tuesday night.

Please look regularly at the social media and websites of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming and community support. You do not need to sign into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. INSIDE: May God bless us and the whole world. Changing Eyes Artscroll p.608 by Rabbi Daniel Sturgess Maftir p. 890 Haftarah p.1208 A Dream Fulfilled Hertz p.459 Maftir p.695 by Rabbi Bentzi Mann Haftarah p.944 Soncino p.674 Maftir p.945 Yom Hazikaron

Haftarah p.1188 Daf Hashavua by Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg Sidra breakdown Changing תַ זְרִיעַ ּמְ צֹרָ ע Tazria Metzora 4th & 5th Sidrot in: Eyes ַו ִ ּי קְ רָ א By Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, St Albans Vayikra

The main focus of the fact comes from the root lingoah By Numbers: first of this week’s – to touch. When you want to get two sidrot, Tazria, is someone’s attention, you might call 157 verses tzara’at, a skin disease their name; if they don’t hear you, 2,444 words which was the physical you might touch them on the shoulder manifestation of a spiritual malady. to get their attention. With negah 8,364 letters The Talmud cites several possible tzara’at, God was getting the person’s causes for this disease, most notably attention, letting them know that lashon hara – damaging speech. The something was not quite right. In a Headlines: contaminated person’s ‘punishment’ sense, this was actually a positive was to live outside the camp for seven thing, as it gave the person the Laws of 'tzara’at' days (Vayikra 13:46). This gave the opportunity to go outside the camp, to offender the opportunity to reflect on reflect and to correct their mistakes. and purification what it means to live with people, to Some commentators say that be part of a community. The isolation the destructive trait underlying would convey the message that if you lashon hara is ayin ra – a negative cannot speak positively about people, perspective, literally a ‘bad eye’. Often then you cannot be amongst them. one speaks badly of another person Tzara’at is repeatedly referred having first viewed them in a negative to in the Torah as “negah tzara’at”, light. Therefore, to turn things around, meaning ‘the affliction of tzara’at’ one needs to change this way of (see ibid. 13:2). The word negah in looking at people, and the world. The

United Synagogue Daf Hashavua Produced by US Living & Learning Sidra Summary together with the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Vayikra 12:1-23 Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis After childbirth, a lady would wait several weeks before bringing an elevation Editorial and Production Team: offering (olah) and a sin offering (chatat). This completed her post-birth purification Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, process. Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, God told Moshe and Aharon that someone who had the appearance of a particular Joanna Rose type of skin disease (tzara’at) would have to show the white blemish to a Kohen. Available also via email US website The Kohen would evaluate and decide if the affliction was clearly tzara’at, thus www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue rendering the person impure (tameh). If the case was unclear, the Kohen would To sponsor Daf Hashavua please quarantine the person in a house for seven days, after which the Kohen would contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, re-inspect the afflicted area and declare whether the person was tameh or tahor or [email protected] (pure). If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email [email protected] … one needs to change this way of looking at people, and the world. The ‘bad eye’ needs to be changed into an ayin tov – a good eye.

contaminated. Interestingly, the words negah meaning ,(ענג) and oneg (נגע) delight, share the same letters, implying a connection. The difference between the words is the hinting ע) position of the letter ayin to the idea that if a person with a negah –affliction, changes his ayin ‘bad eye’ needs to be changed into says, “lo hafach hanegah et ayno”, – his ‘eye’ i.e. his perspective, the an ayin tov – a good eye. meaning ‘the affliction has not result can be delight. There is a hint to this at the end of changed its appearance’ (ibid. 13:55). Nowadays, we do not have Tazria. After two consecutive seven However, the literal translation of tzara’at to alert us to a change day periods in isolation, the person ayno is ‘his eye’. On a deeper level, we may need to make, but God with tzara’at returns to the Kohen. the verse is saying that the one still finds ways of ‘touching us’ to If the Kohen sees that the affliction with the affliction had not changed get our attention. By changing our has not improved, this indicates on his ayin – his ‘eye’, his perspective. perspective and developing a ‘good a deeper level that the person has Since he did not make the necessary eye’, we can potentially change not learned his lesson. The verse change in his life, he remains difficulty into delight and celebration.

In loving memory of Avraham ben Yehoshua

2nd Aliya (Levi) – 13:24-39 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 13:55-14:20 It was also possible for tzara’at to develop from a burn. The Torah details the process through which a metzora Tzara’at could erupt on the scalp or on the beard area, purified himself/herself after the period of isolation and causing a loss of hair. the healing of the affliction. This involved a Kohen taking two birds, cedar wood, a crimson thread and hyssop. The 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 13:40-54 Kohen would slaughter one of the birds and – using the A slightly different form of tzara’at is detailed, which wood, thread and hyssop together in a bundle – sprinkle its caused a more substantial loss of hair. A metzora (one who blood seven times on the metzora. The metzora would also has been contaminated with tzara’at) was sent outside of bring three animal offerings and three meal offerings. the camp and had to tear his/her garments (see p4 article). Tzara’at could also infect clothing. A suspected garment Point to Consider: what is the significance of the cedar was quarantined before the Kohen made a decision about wood, crimson thread and hyssop? (see Rashi to 14:4) whether it was tameh. If it was declared tameh, the garment was burnt. about to enter the Land of Israel. A Dream Fulfilled Rabbi Yehuda Loew, (1520-1609), the famous rabbi of Prague, also known by Rabbi Bentzi Mann, Mill Hill East Jewish Community the acronym Maharal, in chapter 6 of his work Netiv Hatzedakah, described the Growing up in Israel, there Am Yisrael is not impact of this later covenant as follows: is one Yom Ha'atzmaut “Israel became connected, to fully be moment I particularly a new nation, but one nation, only when they came to the remember. I was in my we are celebrating Land and were together in the Land… early teens, living in Jerusalem. It was and by means of the Land they are fully the night of Yom Ha'atzmaut and I was something deep – one nation.” on my way to my shul’s holiday Maariv the fulfilment of the They entered the Land and became prayer, dressed smartly as I would for dreams of millions a sovereign nation with great prophets, yomtov. kings and leaders. Whilst some sinned I bumped into my sister and her friend of Jews over 2000 and were corrupt, the Jewish nation and wished them Chag Sameach, the years… was under Jewish leadership in the greeting usually reserved for yomtov. Land of Israel, even when split into two My sister replied warmly but her friend Communities, views a “nation” as a kingdoms. just looked very surprised. The utterly relatively new idea, which is a product of However, with the destruction of the bewildered look on the friend’s face different socio-material forces. Anderson Temple, the Jewish nation was in exile and her comment to my sister - “Did he says that although “nations” are similar for almost 2000 years, experiencing actually mean what he just said?” – has to “peoples,” nations “have no clearly expulsions, pogroms and much more. stuck with me to this day. Especially identifiable births.” Suddenly, only 3 years after the since I did mean what I said! This may very well apply to many Holocaust, when our spiritual, physical Perhaps, though, my sister’s friend nations today, but clearly not to Bnei and emotional states were at their was partially correct. An Independence Yisrael, the Jewish people, and lowest, the dream of 2000 years came Day is undoubtedly important in national especially its link to the Land of Israel. true – we are once again a nation in its life, so much so that according to the Towards the end of the Torah, when homeland under Jewish leadership. journalist Max Fisher (www.vox.com), Bnei Yisrael prepared to enter the Land Am Yisrael is not a new nation, but the only two countries without such a of Israel, at Arvot Moav (the plains of we are celebrating something deep – the day are the UK and Denmark! Yet, even Moab), God made a new covenant with fulfilment of the dreams of millions of with prayers and not just parties, is Yom them, in addition to the covenant made Jews over 2000 years, to return to our Ha'atzmaut - Independence Day - special earlier at Mount Sinai. At that time, the land and build a Jewish state. enough to be called a Chag, a term which Torah states: “Today you have become On the way to shul on that Yom is usually reserved for yomtov? a nation of the Lord your God” (Devarim Ha'atzmaut years ago, I passed my Perhaps one way to approach this 27:9) Bubby’s house and thought of her son, my question is through understanding The earlier generation which left great uncle Moshe Yehoshua, who was the background to the State of Israel, Egypt received the Torah at Mt. Sinai. murdered by the Nazis at the age of two. stretching back to Biblical times. The 40 years in the desert were a He never had the privilege to live in or The political scientist and historian, transition. Only “today”, though, was the even see the State of Israel. I “said” chag Benedict Anderson (1936 – 2015), in process of leaving Egypt complete, in sameach to him and felt him responding his book about nationalism, Imagined the sense that the new generation was with a heart-felt “chag sameach”!

In memory of Harav Binyamin ben Harav Shalom The amazing Asher Asher by Simon Goulden, Education Consultant to the United Synagogue

Although Asher Asher It was he who wrote the by them in communal matters. He was perhaps one of the introduction to the bye- was also connected with a large most important figures number of institutions in the London in the early history of laws of the constituent Jewish community. Looking for better the United Synagogue, you may never synagogues, and conditions for Jewish immigrants, have heard of him. Asher undertook journeys to Palestine, Born in in 1837, he practically founded the United States and Russia in the was educated at the Royal High the United Synagogue company of Samuel Montagu, whom School in Glasgow. He became a he managed to reconcile with Lord prominent member of the local Jewish Visitation Committee… Rothschild. Asher was also concerned congregation and acted as its Honorary about the Jewish communities of Secretary. He studied medicine at the one of the ‘Grand Dukes’ of Anglo Eastern Europe. After the visit to University of Edinburgh, graduating Jewry. Asher, acting as his ‘right hand Palestine, he wrote a report on the in 1856, the first ever Jewish doctor man’, devoted himself to the project conditions in Jerusalem, which in . He practiced in Glasgow with intense energy. Thus, in March, generated much positive action. His and the nearby mining town of 1870, he became First Secretary of sympathetic nature attracted to him Bishopbriggs. the United Synagogue, contributing most of the young men of ability of the In 1862, Asher moved to London largely to its success. It was he who rising generation whilst his scholarship and became medical officer of the wrote the introduction to the bye- was notable, in both English and Jewish Board of Guardians (now laws of the constituent synagogues, Hebrew. He wrote a book called The Jewish Care), where he helped and practically founded the United Jewish Rite of Circumcision (1873). provide medical care for poor Jews, Synagogue Visitation Committee, Asher wrote frequently for the Jewish alongside the founder, Dr. Canstatt. devoting himself to the welfare of press, chiefly under the pen name of In 1866, he was appointed secretary Jewish prisoners and the poor. This "Aliquis." of the Great Synagogue, the major office he retained until his death, at In his memory, since 1910, the Ashkenazi synagogue in the City. As the young age of 52, in 1889. awards the we have learned, it was at about this Asher's close connection with the Asher Asher Memorial Medal and time that the idea of a union of the Rothschilds in his capacity as medical Prize, annually for its Ear, Nose various London synagogues was put attendant, and personal friend meant and Throat course. He is buried in forward, chiefly by Lionel L. Cohen, that his advice was generally followed Willesden Cemetery.

In memory of Chaim ben Moshe Bentzion

5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 14:21-32 deep green or deep red ‘affliction’, he would order the house A metzora who could not afford three animal offerings could to be quarantined for a week. He would then re-inspect instead bring one animal offering, one meal offering and two the house. If the affliction had spread, the infected stones birds. would be removed and replaced. If the affliction nevertheless returned, the house would be demolished. However, if 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 14:33-15:15 replacing the stones solved the problem, the Kohen would Tzara’at also affected houses. The house owner would declare the house tahor (pure). report the suspicious signs to a Kohen. The house would be The Torah lists specific discharges that would cause a man to evacuated before the Kohen’s arrival. If the Kohen saw a be considered tameh, and details the purification procedure. Yom Hazikaron Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg, Magen Avot Synagogue If you have not expe- On Yom Hazikaron, for very different those who gave their lives for the rienced it first-hand it reasons, so many differences are State and its citizens then as well is hard to imagine. On swept aside as we stand as one as all those who have fallen since in Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s people with one broken heart, remem- military service or acts of terror. Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers bering the fallen. They were the “silver platter”, in the and victims of terror, for one minute There is something unique about words of Israeli poet Natan Alterman, in the evening and then again for two the timing of Yom Hazikaron. Barely upon which Israel was founded. Before minutes in the morning, the entire 24 hours after it begins, while the we can celebrate our independence country literally comes to a standstill. country’s flags are still at half-mast, we have to pay tribute to our fallen; Air-raid sirens wail throughout the the sombre mood makes way for without them we would not be able to land and everything comes to a halt. the celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, celebrate at all. Whether at home, or even driving on Israel’s independence day. In a sudden The second message is about what we the motorways, everyone stops and and almost cruel switch of emotions, do when Yom Hazikaron is over. Just stands together in respectful silence, grief turns to joy. I believe that the as Yom Hazikaron infuses a special remembering those who made the message in the seemingly unnatural type of meaning into Yom Ha’atzmaut, זה היום“ ultimate sacrifice for the State of juxtaposition of these days is twofold. so too our celebration of This is“ – "עשה ה' נגילה ונשמחה בו Israel and its citizens. First, it is intended to demonstrate Those three minutes might be the that without Yom Hazikaron there the day God has made, let us rejoice closest that Israel today gets to the could be no Yom Ha’atzmaut. Without and be happy on it” (Tehillim/Psalms sense of unity that permeated the the bravery, dedication and mesirut 118: 24) - reminds us of the ultimate Jewish people so long ago at Har nefesh (self-sacrifice) of all those goal of our remembrance. Whilst we Sinai. When the Torah describes Bnei who fought and gave their lives, mourn and feel pain, we do not grieve Yisrael’s encampment before receiving there would be no State of Israel for grief’s sake. Rather than focusing the Torah at Mount Sinai, it refers to today. With God’s help, Jewish on death we celebrate life. Yom Haz- statehood in 1948 was reborn. ikaron, one of the most difficult days ויחן שם ישראל) them in the singular Israel encamped (singular) Tragically, this included on the Jewish calendar, ultimately“ – נגד ההר there in front of the mountain”, the sacrifice of all gives us the opportunity to draw Shemot 19:2). Rashi (1040-1105) inspiration: to remember the fallen, to famously comments that this ask ourselves how to incor- porate their strength into כי במותם ציוו לנו את החיים phrase is used because they were “as one people with For in their deaths they commanded us life. our own lives and ensure .their spirit lives on יהי זכרם ברוך .”one heart May their memories be blessed. In memory of Harav Yisrael ben Uriah

7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 15:16-33 Haftarah A similar set of laws is listed for a lady who has specific The special haftarah for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh is the last discharges, as well as the laws of niddah (menstruation), chapter of the Book of Yeshaya (Isaiah). The world is God’s which form the basis of the laws of family purity. “throne and footstool”. Trying to appease God with insincere offerings will be punished, yet one who is truly “zealous Maftir – (Bemidbar 28:9-15) regarding God’s word” will be rewarded. Those who love The reading for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh is taken from parashat and are loyal to Jerusalem will enjoy the messianic future, in Pinchas and details the additional Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh which they will rejoice in the rebuilt city. offerings in the Temple.