בס“ד Toronto Torah Beit Midrash Zichron Dov Parshat Tazria-Metzora 6 Iyyar 5772/April 28, 2012 / 21 Omer Vol.3 Num. 28 To sponsor an issue of Toronto Torah, please contact [email protected] or 416-783-6960 Yearning for Tzaraat Rabbi Ezra Goldschmiedt Tzaraat, often misleadingly translated as to address not only lashon hara, but a driven to consult the spiritual leaders of leprosy, is spiritual rather than range of sins committed in the social their time for a “psak” concerning a physical. Despite its physical sphere (although, to be sure, lashon hara matter that is ostensibly spiritual, all manifestation, tzaraat demonstrates seems to receive special treatment). the while treating their fellow man that something is wrong with an Wrongdoings which are beyond the without a modicum of respect. One individual on the level of his morals and purview of an earthly court, or, at the whose sins are social in nature is thought processes. (See Rabbi Samson very least, are crimes which man can all exactly the type of individual who can Raphael Hirsch's commentary, end of too easily get away with, are the subject delude himself into thinking that he Parshat Tazria.) Through Miriam's of this unique form of judgement. With nevertheless has a close relationship contraction of this disease as a these parameters in mind, the with G-d; he is therefore the one most consequence of her slander of Moshe phenomenon of tzaraat teaches us a in need of the wake-up call that tzaraat (see Bamidbar 12), as well as our charge lesson central to the Torah's instruction: affords. to remember this episode while being In no uncertain terms, G-d wants us to “careful of the tzaraat disease” (Devarim know his hatred of these behaviours. He While the thought of suffering such a 24:8-9), we are shown that tzaraat is is even willing to go beyond the natural condition is frightening, one can almost especially a message for the speaker of order to do so. (See Ramban to 13:47.) appreciate living in a world where this lashon hara, evil talk. When our actions are not a direct affront phenomenon exists. It is indeed a sad to G-d, and particularly when we seem to state of affairs that in today's world, Less known however, is that a number face no consequences from our fellow various individuals, either because of of other behaviours are also listed man, it is all too easy to think that we their position, or because of the nature among the causes for tzaraat. Vayikra are still on good terms with our Creator. of their wrongdoings, can torment the Rabbah (Metzora 16:1) tells us that a Whether through direct experience or society they live in without few verses from Mishlei (6:16-19) through our learning of its various laws, consequence. A world in which G-d provide us with the comprehensive list: tzaraat is G-d's way of telling us that more openly declares the individuals He “Hashem hates these six, and even the such an idea is nothing but a delusion. holds in contempt would be, in many seventh is repellent to Him: haughty ways, a welcome sight. Perhaps jarring eyes, a lying tongue, hands that spill This concept can be gleaned from the personal messages from G-d would innocent blood, a heart plotting metzora's diagnosis itself. A metzora's provide impetus for the changes that we violence, feet that are quick to run to status is uniquely effected by the are often reluctant to initiate. evil, a false witness spreading lies, and declaration of such by a kohen (and not one who incites conflict between by the development of the condition Noting that tzaraat is not prevalent in brothers.” Mishlei's words, as alone). The kohen, the representative of today's world, Rabbi Chaim Yosef David interpreted by Chazal, are particularly G-d, is the one who tells the metzora that Azulai suggests (in his work Nachal telling. with his current lifestyle, he has no place Kedumim) that this is due to the in the community. Indeed, the structure absence of the Beit HaMikdash. As the Applying tzaraat to this group teaches of this law is tailor-made for those under disease's corrective process (which us that at its core, the disease is meant the delusion mentioned above: Those includes korbanot, with their own symbolic teachings) cannot be Parshah Questions R’ Meir Lipschitz accomplished in its entirety, G-d has removed this method of communicating His displeasure from us. Nowadays, our Answers to some of the questions appear on the back page moral failings can go unnoticed; even Why did Hashem command the laws of tzara’at to both Moshe and Aharon? after understanding how we've strayed, (Ramban, Ibn Ezra, and Rabbi S.R. Hirsch to Vayikra 13:1) we require a less direct, and likely less Why did the laws of tzara’at on a house only apply once the Jews entered the effective, method of repair. Land of Israel? (Rashi, Ramban, Ibn Ezra, Netziv, Daat Mikra, R’ S.R. Hirsch, to Vayikra 14:34) While we often fail to see the value of what the geulah could mean to us, the When describing the affliction which appears on his home, why must a person tzaraat process – G-d's way of use the term k’nega, “like an affliction” and not nega, “an affliction”? (Rashi, Malbim, Mizrachi, Maharal, Torah Temimah, and Shaarei Aharon to Vayikra communicating His thoughts 14:35, and Tosafot Yom Tov to Mishnah Negaim 12:5) concerning our behaviour – is perhaps one element that we can yearn for. For children: What is the significance of each of the items a metzora brings during his purification process? (Rashi to Vayikra 14:4) [email protected] [email protected] Discrepancies in the Kriat haTorah Schedule Hitoriri: R’ Dovid Zirkind Jewish Spirituality Every so often, when the last day of a Treasures in the Wall Shabbat before. In both cases, the visitor Yom Tov falls out on Shabbat in is permitted to receive aliyot along with R’ Baruch Weintraub Diaspora, this results in a discrepancy the congregation. in Torah reading for some weeks to בפרשת מצורע, בפתיחה לנגעי בתים, נאמר: follow. This year, for example, the last " כי תבאו אל ארץ כנען אשר אני נתן לכם Israelis who spend Yom Tov abroad, as לאחזה ונתתי נגע צרעת בבית ארץ day of Pesach in Israel was a Friday, well as visitors to Israel who observed אחזתכם" )ויקרא יד,לד( while Yom Tov was observed through the eighth day of Pesach with the Yom Shabbat outside of Israel. Tov reading, find themselves trailing the הגמרא בהוריות, דף י ע"א, דורשת: Consequently, Parshat Shemini was public readings in Israel. We usually " תניא , ר ' יהודה אומר , בשורה היא להם read a week later in the Diaspora. Rabbi assume that Torah reading is a שנגעים באים עליהם" Betzalel Stern discusses a number of communal obligation, so that an interesting scenarios which result from individual who is unable to attend on a כלומר , לשון הפסוק מרמזת על כך שנגעי this discrepancy in the Torah reading. given Shabbat is not obligated to arrange (Teshuvot B’tzel Hachochma #2-9) הבתים הינם הבטחה , ולאו דווקא עונש . רש " י .a proper Torah reading for himself אצלנו מסביר, שנגעי הבתים הינם בשורה , כיוון According to Rabbi Stern, Diaspora Nevertheless, in our situation, some שכך נמצאו מטמוני זהב שהטמינו האמוריים. Jews visiting Israel for Pesach should authorities encourage those who are able אלא שהסברו של רש " י עדיין טעון ביאור נוסף : ideally look for a minyan which to arrange an additional reading for the מדוע דווקא דרך זו נבחרה לגילוי המטמוניות? observes the eighth day of the Yom Tov. missed parshah to do so. Rabbi Avraham If such a minyan is not available, Rabbi Dovid Horovitz concludes that the best נראה , כי עניין זה יתבאר על פי שני מדרשים Stern argues that the visitors are option is to extend the Shabbat Minchah נוספים. בגמרא ביומא יא ע"ב נאמר: obligated nonetheless in hearing the reading to include the entire Parshat " מי שמייחד ביתו לו , שאינו רוצה להשאיל regular Shabbat reading of Parshat Shemini in addition to the first aliyah of כליו , ואומר שאין לו , הקדוש ברוך הוא Shemini with the community in Israel. Parshat Tazria [Teshuvot Kinyan Torah מפרסמו, כשמפנה את ביתו ]מפני נגעי בתים[" .[Whenever a Yom Tov overlaps with L’halacha #12 באופן דומה , הגמרא בערכין טז ע " א מביאה , כי Shabbat, says Rabbi Stern, we adapt נגעי בתים באים בשל ' צרות עין ' . ייתכן , כי the five aliyot of Yom Tov to conform to With each week’s Torah reading comes מדרשים אלו , המתארים את נגעי הבתים the seven aliyot of Shabbat. This is an obligation to study the weekly כעונש, ומדרשו של רבי יהודה , המתאר את נגעי – because our obligation of hearing seven parshah with some form of translation הבתים כבשורה, אינם בהכרח סותרים זה לזה. aliyot every Shabbat exists irrespective sh'nayim mikra v’echad targum. The of a coinciding Yom Tov. Therefore, if Gemara suggests that one who is diligent הכניסה לארץ ישראל , וההתיישבות בה , על אף one cannot fulfill both obligations in observing this mitzvah will merit in היותן נקודת הפתיחה למימוש התורה במלואה , Shabbat and Yom Tov) through the long life (Berachot 8a). Rabbi Stern notes) והקמת ' ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש ', צופנות Yom Tov reading, it is best to fulfill the that this obligation may include two בחובן סכנה משמעותית . המעבר ממגורים regular Shabbat obligation of seven parshiyot for someone who intends to באהלים במדבר , ' מצב חירום ', לשלוה ובטחון .aliyot along with those not observing hear both on the same Shabbat של האנשים הנסגרים מאחורי קירות אבן , עלול the Yom Tov.