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Parashat Tazria

Verses:67 [Siman: בניה]

Haftorah: Kings 2 4:42-5:19

 

Number of Mitzvot: There are a total of Seven Mitzvot in Parashat Tazria; Five positive commands and Two negative commands. The following are the commands in the chronological order that they are brought in the Portion.   A. Positive: 1. Mitzvah 166/Positive 74: That a woman who gives birth is to be impure for her husband and Taharos, and follow the related Torah regulations. 2. Mitzvah 168/Positive 75: That a woman who gives birth is to bring Sacrifices at the end of her pure days. 3. Mitzvah 169/Positive 76: To follow the laws of one afflicted with Tzara’at and have him brought to the Kohen and purified or be deemed impure. 4. Mitzvah 171/Positive 77: That one afflicted with Tzara’at follow the laws relating to him, such as to have torn garments and long hair. 5. Mitzvah 172/Positive 78: To follow the laws instructed regarding clothing that grows Tzara’at. B. Negative: 1. Mitzvah 167/Negative 93: For an impure person not to eat offerings until he is purified. 2. Mitzvah 170/Negative 94: Not to shave the hair of the Temple.

 

Chapter 12

First Aliyah

1. The laws of a woman who gives birth:

• A male child: If a woman gives birth to a male child, she is impure for seven days. On the eighth day the child is to be circumcised. She remains with Demei Tohar [blood of Purity] for 33 day. She may not enter the Temple or touch offerings during this time.
• A female child: If a woman gives birth to a girl she is to remain a Niddah for 14 days. She remains with Demei Tohar for 66 days.
• The Sacrifices: At the completion of her pure days for a male and female she is to bring to the Kohen a year-old sheep as a Chatas offering and a bird for an Olah offering. The Kohen offers the sacrifice on her behalf and purifies her. If she cannot afford a sheep, she is to bring two birds, one for an Olah offering and the second for a Chatas offering.

Chapter 13

2. The laws of Tzara’at:

• Showing it to the Kohen: One who has a lesion of Tzara’at on his skin is to be brought to the Kohen for examination. The Kohen is to view the ailment and if its hair is white and deeper than the skin, it is Tzara’at, and he is declared impure by the Kohen.
• Confinement: If its hair is not white and it is not deeper than the skin, the Kohen is to confine him for seven days. The Kohen is to re-examine the Tzara’at on the 7^th day, and if it has not changed, and has not spread, he is to re-confine him for a further seven days.

 

Second Aliya

• The Kohen is to again examine the Tzara’at on the 7^th day [of the second week], and if it has lightened in color, and has not spread, he is to purify it. The Metzora is to clean his clothing and he is then purified.
• Respreads: If the Tzara’at re-spreads after the purification, it is to be reshown to the Kohen and he is to be deemed impure.

3. Tzara’at that has healthy skin:

• If the white lesion has a white hair but contains an area of healthy skin, it is in truth an old Tzara’at. The Kohen is to deem him impure. He is not to be secluded, as he is impure.

4. Tzara’at that covers the entire body:

• If the Tzara’at covers the entire body from head to toe, he is to be deemed pure by the Kohen. If fresh skin ever appears on the body, he is to be deemed impure.

Third Aliyah

5. Tzara’at on a blister:
   • If a skin lesion appears on a blister and resembles the signs of Tzara’at, it is to be shown to the Kohen. If it appears lower than the skin and has white hair it is Tzara’at that has grown on the blister. He is to be declared impure by the Kohen. If it does not have these signs, the Kohen is to segregate him for seven days. If the lesion spreads, then he is impure. If the lesion does not spread, it is not Tzara’at but rather a skin ailment on the blister and he is pure.

Fourth Aliyah (Second Aliyah when connected to Metzora)

6. Tzara’at on a burn:
   • If a skin lesion of reddish and whitish color appears on a burn, it is to be shown to the Kohen. If it appears lower than the skin and has white hair, it is Tzara’at that has grown on the burn. He is to be declared impure by the Kohen. If it does not have these signs, the Kohen is to segregate him for seven days. The Kohen is to view him on the seventh day and if the lesion spreads then he is impure. If the lesion does not spread, it is not Tzara’at but rather a skin ailment on the burn and he is pure.

Fifth Aliyah

7. Tzara’at on the head or beard:
   • If a skin lesion appears on the head or beard, it is to be shown to the Kohen. If it appears lower than the skin and has yellow hair it is a Nesek Tzara’at that has grown on the head or beard. He is to be declared impure by the Kohen.
   • No yellow hair: If it does not have these signs but also does not have black hair, the Kohen is to segregate him for seven days. The Kohen is to view him on the seventh day and if the lesion does not appear lower than the skin and has not spread and the hair is not yellow then the surrounding area of the Nesek is to be shaven and he is to be segregated for a further period of seven days. The Kohen is to view him on the seventh day and if the lesion does not spread and it does not appear lower than the skin, the Kohen is to deem him pure. He is to launder his clothing and he is pure. If the lesion spreads after his purity, he is deemed impure even if it does not have a yellow hair. If it grows a black hair, he is to be deemed pure.

8. White spots:
   • If a man or woman has white spots on their skin, it is to be shown to the Kohen and he or she is to be deemed pure.

 

Sixth Aliyah (Third Aliyah when connected to Metzora)

9. Tzara’at on a bald or beardless person:
   • One who does not have hair on his head, or one who does not have a beard, is pure. [He is to be judged with the laws of Tzara’at and not Nesakim.] If it grows a reddish, whitish, skin ailment, it is considered Tazraas. The Kohen is to see it and deem him impure.

10. The laws of one afflicted with Tzara’at:

• The one afflicted with Tzara’at must follow the following laws:
• He is to wear torn clothing.
• He is to have long hair and a long mustache.
• He is to announce to others that he is impure.
• He is to sit in seclusion outside of the Jewish camp.

11. Tzara’at on clothing:
    • When a clothing of wool or linen or leather, or a vessel of leather has Tzara’at that is red or green it is to be shown to the Kohen. The clothing is to be secluded for seven days. On the seventh day the Kohen is to view the item and if the lesion spread the item is to be deemed impure. The garment or vessel is to be burnt.
    • If the lesion did not spread on the clothing, then it is to be washed and secluded for a second set of seven days.

 

Seventh Aliyah (Fourth Aliyah when connected to Metzora)

• If the lesion on the clothing did not change color, it is impure and is to be burnt in the fire. If the lesion lightened in color, the area of the lesion is to be torn off the garment. If the lesion ever returns to the garment or vessel, it is to be burned. If the lesion disappeared after being laundered, it is to be laundered a second time and then purified.

 

Parashat Metzora

Verses: 90 [Siman: עידו]

Haftorah: Kings 2 7:3-20

 

Number of Mitzvot: There are a total of Eleven Mitzvot in Parashat Metzora; Eleven positive commands and Zero negative commands. The following are the commands in the chronological order that they are brought in the Portion.   A. Positive: 1. Mitzvah 173/Positive 79: To follow the process instructed for purifying Tzara’at, such as to take two birds, the cedar wood, hyssop, crimson wool, fresh water and do as instructed for the purification. 2. Mitzvah 174/Positive 80: To shave off all the hair of the body of one afflicted with Tzara’at. 3. Mitzvah 175/Positive 81: To immerse in a Mikveh when one desires to purify oneself from impurity. 4. Mitzvah 176/Positive 82: For the one afflicted with Tzara’at to bring an offering when he is cured. 5. Mitzvah 177/Positive 83: To follow the laws instructed regarding a house which has grown Tzara’at. 6. Mitzvah 178/Positive 84: To attribute laws of impurity to a Zav. 7. Mitzvah 179/Positive 85: For a Zav to bring a offering after he is healed. 8. Mitzvah 180/Positive 86: To attribute laws of impurity to one who expels or touches Shichvas Zera/semen. 9. Mitzvah 181/Positive 87: To attribute laws of impurity to a Niddah. 10. Mitzvah 182/Positive 88: To attribute laws of impurity to a Zava. 11. Mitzvah 183/Positive 89: For a Zava to bring an offering after she is healed.

Chapter 14

First Aliyah

1. The laws of the purification of a Metzora [i.e. one afflicted with Tzara’at]:
   • The following are the laws of a Metzora on the day of his purification when he is brought to a Kohen. The Kohen is to come visit the Metzora outside of the camp. If the Metzora is seen to be healed of his Tzara’at, the Kohen is to begin his purification process.
   • The first stage of purification: The Metzora is to take two birds, cedar wood, a wool string, and hyssop. One bird is to be slaughtered and have its blood poured into an earthenware vessel that is filled with water. The cedar wood, a wool string, and hyssop are to be bound and dipped into the water and blood. The live bird is to also be dipped into the vessel. The above items are then to be sprinkled seven times onto the Metzora. The bird is then to be let free. The Metzora is to wash his clothing and shave all his hair and immerse in a Mikveh. He is then able to enter the camp. He must however remain outside his tent for another seven days.
   • The second stage of purification after seven days: On the seventh day, he is to have all his hair shaved a second time. He is to wash his clothing and immerse in a Mikveh.
   • The Sacrifices on eighth day: On the eighth day, he is to take two unblemished male lambs and a female lamb in its first year, and three tenth-ephahs of flour and one Lug of oil. The Kohen is to place the Metzora in front of the opening of the Heichal, before G-d. One lamb is to be offered as an Asham with the oil and then they are both taken and waved before G-d.

 

Second Aliyah

• The Asham blood: The Asham is to be slaughtered in the same area that the Chatas and Olah is slaughtered. The blood of the Asham is to be placed on the Metzoras right ear lobe and right thumb of his hand and foot.
• The oil: The oil is to be poured into the left palm of the Kohen and the Kohen is to dip his right finger into the oil and sprinkle the oil seven times in front of G-d. The remaining oil is to be placed on the Metzora’s right ear lobe and right thumb of his hand and foot, on top of the blood. The remaining oil is then to be poured on the head of the Metzora.
• The Kohen is then to offer the Chatas and then offer the Olah and then the Mincha. The Metzora is now pure.

Third Aliyah (Fifth Aliyah when connected to Metzora)

2. The Sacrifices of a pauper Metzora:

• A Metzora who cannot afford to take three animals, is to take a single male lamb for an Asham, and flour mixed with oil for a Mincha, and a Lug of oil, and two birds, one for a Chatas and one for an Olah. The same purification process is to be repeated. [The Torah goes on to repeat every single step mentioned above, without change.]

Fourth Aliyah (Sixth Aliyah when connected to Metzora)

3. The laws of Tzara’at on a house:

• G-d spoke to Moses and Aaron saying that when they come to Eretz Canaan, G-d will place Tzara’at in houses. One who has Tzara’at in his house is to approach the Kohen and tell him that there is a Tzara’at like lesion in his house. The Kohen is to have the entire house cleared of all its belongings prior to him coming to examine the lesion. This is done to prevent the belongings from becoming impure.
• The examination: If the lesion on the wall is green or red and it is lower than the rest of the wall then the following is done: The Kohen leaves the house and seals it for seven days. The Kohen is to return on the seventh day and see if the lesion has spread.
• The Tzara’at spread-The purification process-stage 1: If the lesion spread, the Kohen is to have the stones of the wall that have the lesion, removed and taken outside the camp, to an impure place. The area around the lesion is to have a layer of its material removed and have that material thrown outside of the camp, to an impure place. New stones are to be placed into the wall, and the peeled area of the wall is to be filled in.
• If the Tzara’at returns: If the Tzara’at returns after this, then the house is impure. The entire house is to be destroyed and all of its material is to be removed outside of the camp. [The examination to check whether the Tzara’at returned takes place seven days after the purification process.] Whoever enters the house during this time becomes impure.
• If the Tzara’at does not return-Purification process-stage 2: If the Tzara’at does not return, then the house is to be purified. Two birds, cedar wood and crimson wool string are taken. One bird is to be slaughtered and have its blood poured into an earthenware vessel that is filled with water. The cedar wood, a wool string, and hyssop are to be bound and dipped into the water and blood. The bird is also to be dipped into the vessel. The above items are then to be sprinkled seven times onto the house. The bird is then to be let free to outside of the city.

Fifth Aliyah:

• This concludes the laws of all the types of Tzara’at.

Chapter 15

4. The Zav impurity:
   • G-d spoke to Moses and Aaron telling them to speak to the children of Israel regarding the laws of Zav. A man who has a flow of semen like fluid is to be declared impure.
   • Contact with the Zav: Whatever bed he lies on and whatever seat he sits on becomes impure. One who touches his bed becomes impure until the night. Whoever sits on his seat becomes impure until the night. Whoever touches the skin of the Zav is impure until the night. If the Zav spits on a person, he is impure until the night. Whatever ride the Zav rides on becomes impure and whoever touches it is impure. Whoever the Zav touches becomes impure. An earthenware vessel that is touched by the Zav becomes impure and is to be destroyed. A wood vessel is to be immersed in water.
   • Purification process of Zav: The Zav is to count seven days and immerse his clothing and body in water. On the eighth day he is to take two birds and bring them to the Tent of Meeting to the Kohen. The Kohen is to offer one as a Chatas and one as an Olah.

 

Sixth Aliyah (Seventh Aliyah when connected to Metzora)

5. The impurity of Shichvas Zera/Discharge of semen:
   • A man who releases semen is to immerse in water and he is impure until the evening.
   • Any garment or leather that touches the semen is impure and is to be immersed in water.
   • A woman who lies with a man and he released semen into her, they are both impure until the evening and are to immerse in water.

 

6. The impurity of a Niddah:

• When a woman sees blood, she is to be in the state of Niddah for seven days.
• Contact with her: Whoever touches her is impure until the evening. Whatever bed she lies on and whatever seat she sits on becomes impure until the evening. One who touches her bed becomes impure until the night. Whoever sits on her seat becomes impure until the night. If a man lies with her, he is impure for seven days just like her.

7. The impurity of a Zava:

• When a woman sees blood for many days outside of her menstruation period, she is to be in the state of impurity for the amount of days that she bled.
• Contact with her: Whatever bed she lies on and whatever seat she sits on becomes impure until the evening. Whoever touches it is impure until the evening.
• Purification process of Zava: When she stops seeing the blood she is to count seven days and is to become pure.

Seventh Aliyah

• On the eighth day she is to take two birds and bring them to the Tent of Meeting to the Kohen. The Kohen is to offer one as a Chatas and one as an Olah. She then becomes purified of her impurity.
• The children of Israel are to be warned of all the above impurities. This concludes the laws of all these impurities.

 

Parashat Acharei Mot

Verses: 80 [Siman: כי כל]

Haftorah:[1] Amos 9:7-15

 

Number of Mitzvot: There are a total of 28 Mitzvot in Parashat Acharei Mot; 2 positive commands and 26 negative commands. The following are the commands in the chronological order that they are brought in the Portion.   A. Positive: 1. Mitzvah 185; Positive 90: For the Kohen Gadol to perform all the duties of Yom Kippur regarding the Sacrifices and service. 2. Mitzvah 187; Positive 91: To cover the blood of a slaughtered wild animal and bird.   B. Negative: 1. Mitzvah 184; Negative 95: The prohibition for a Kohen to enter the Holies, with exception to the times of service. 2. Mitzvah 186; Negative 96: Not to slaughter offerings outside the Temple courtyard. 3. Mitzvah 188; Negative 97: Not to perform sexually stimulating activities with an Erva, such as hugging and kissing, staring, flirting etc. 4. Mitzvah 189; Negative 98: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s father [i.e. have intercourse]. 5. Mitzvah 190; Negative 99: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s mother [i.e. have intercourse]. 6. Mitzvah 191; Negative 100: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s father’s wife [i.e. have intercourse]. 7. Mitzvah 192; Negative 101: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s sister, even if not from father’s wife [i.e. have intercourse]. 8. Mitzvah 193; Negative 102: Not to reveal the Erva [i.e. have intercourse] of one’s granddaughter, one’s son’s daughter. 9. Mitzvah 194; Negative 103: Not to reveal the Erva [i.e. have intercourse] of one’s granddaughter, one’s daughter’s daughter. 10. Mitzvah 195; Negative 104: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s daughter [i.e. have intercourse]. 11. Mitzvah 196; Negative 105: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s sister if she is one’s father’s wife’s daughter. 12. Mitzvah 197; Negative 106: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s aunt, one’s father’s sister [i.e. have intercourse]. 13. Mitzvah 198; Negative 107: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s aunt, one’s mother’s sister [i.e. have intercourse]. 14. Mitzvah 199; Negative 108: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s uncle, one’s father’s brother [i.e. have intercourse]. 15. Mitzvah 200; Negative 109: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s aunt, one’s father’s brother’s wife [i.e. have intercourse]. 16. Mitzvah 201; Negative 110: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s daughter in-law, one’s son’s wife [i.e. have intercourse]. 17. Mitzvah 202; Negative 111: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s sister in-law, one’s brother’s wife [i.e. have intercourse]. 18. Mitzvah 203; Negative 112: Not to reveal the Erva of a mother and daughter if married to one of them [i.e. have intercourse]. 19. Mitzvah 204; Negative 113: Not to reveal the Erva of a mother and her granddaughter, the daughter of her son, if married to one of them [i.e. have intercourse]. 20. Mitzvah 205; Negative 114: Not to reveal the Erva of a mother and her granddaughter, the daughter of her daughter, if married to one of them [i.e. have intercourse]. 21. Mitzvah 206; Negative 115: Not to reveal the Erva of one’s sister in-law, one’s wife’s sister [i.e. have intercourse]. 22. Mitzvah 207; Negative 116: Not to reveal the Erva of a Nida [i.e. have intercourse]. 23. Mitzvah 208; Negative 117: Not to give one’s offspring to the Moleich idolatry. 24. Mitzvah 209; Negative 118: For a man not to have homosexual intercourse with a man. 25. Mitzvah 210; Negative 119: For a man not to have sexual relations with an animal. 26. Mitzvah 211; Negative 120: For a woman not to have sexual relations with an animal.

 

Chapter 16

First Aliyah

1. Death of Aaron’s sons:

• The Torah recounts the death of Aaron’s sons and the commands G-d told Moses as a result.

2. The service of Yom Kippur:

• Aaron may only enter the Holies when the cloud is on the Kapores lid.
• The offerings: Aaron is to bring a bull as a Chatas offering and a ram as an Oleh offering when he enters the Holies. He is to wear four linen garments during the service and is to immerse in a Mikveh prior to doing so. The nation is to bring to Aaron two goat offerings as a Chatas and a single ram as an Oleh.
• Aaron is to offer his bull as a Chatas and atone for himself and family.
• The service done with the two Chatas goats: The two goats are to be placed before the Tent of Meeting. A raffle is to be made and one of the goats is to go to G-d and the second is to go to Azazel. The goat which came out to G-d is to be offered as a Chatas. The Azazel goat is to be sent to the desert.
• The bull of Aaron is to be offered.
• The Ketores: Coals and Ketores are to be brought to the Parochet curtain. The Ketores incense is to be placed on the coals before G-d.
• Sprinkling the blood in the Holies: The blood of the bull is to be sprinkled with his finger seven times onto the Parochet curtain. The goat which came out to G-d is to be offered as a Chatas and its blood sprinkled seven times by the Parochet curtain. This procedure is followed in order to purify the children of Israel and atone for their sins. No person is to be in the Tent of Meeting when the Kohen enters into the Holies.

Second Aliyah

• Sprinkling the blood on the altar: The blood of the goat and bull is to be placed on the corners of the Altar. The blood is to be sprinkled seven times on the Altar.
• The live goat: The live goat is to be brought to Aaron. He is to lean on it and confess. The goat is then sent with an escort to the desert. The goat carries all the sins of the Jewish people.
• The Olah: Aaron is to change his clothing and offer his Olah offering, and the Olah offering of the nation.

 

Third Aliyah (Second Aliyahi when connected to Kedoshim)

• The fat of the Chatas is to be offered onto the altar.
• The escort of the Azazal goat is to wash his clothing and immerse, prior to entering the camp.
• The bull and goat Chatas are to be taken outside of the camp and burnt. The one who burns the bull/goat is to wash his clothing and immerse, prior to entering the camp.
• Yom Kippur laws: The above service is to be done in the 7^th month, on the 10^th day of the month. On this day everyone is to oppress himself. On this day no labor may be performed by anyone. On this day G-d grants us atonement for our sins. It is a Shabbat of complete rest [i.e. Shabbat Shabbason], a day of oppression, forever. The Kohen Gadol is to perform the above service each year.

Chapter 17

Fourth Aliyah

3. Not to offer a sacrifice outside of the Temple:

• One who does not bring the offering to the Temple, and rather slaughters it in the camp, or outside the camp, is liable for excision. Since he did not bring the sacrifice before G-d, in the Tabernacle, it is considered like blood for that man. He has spilled blood and he shall be cut off from his people. The Jewish people are to bring the offering to the Tabernacle before G-d, to the Kohen, and have it slaughtered there. The Kohen will sprinkle its blood and offer its fat as a satisfying aroma for G-d. They shall no longer slaughter their sacrifices to the demons who they stray after. This is an eternal law for all generations.

 

Fifth Aliyah (Third Aliyah when connected to Kedoshim)

• Tell the Jewish people and their converts that if they bring an Olah or Shelamim offering outside the Temple, that man will be cut off from his people.

4. Prohibition against eating blood:
   • Any man of Israel who eats any blood is liable for excision, and I will cut him off from the Jewish people. The soul of all flesh is found in its blood, and it has been designated to be offered to the altar, to atone for your souls. Therefore, no man or convert shall eat blood.

5. The Mitzvah to cover blood:

• Any Jew or convert who traps a wild animal [i.e. Chayah] or bird that may be eaten, is to have its blood covered with earth, as the soul of all flesh is found in its blood. Tell the Jewish people not to eat the blood of any flesh, as its soul is its blood, and one who consumes it will be cut off.

6. Impurity received through eating carcass/Treifa bird:
   • One who eats a carcass or Treifa [of a bird] becomes impure, and requires purification. He is to wash his garments and immerse in water and remains impure until evening. If he does not wash his clothing and does not immerse his flesh [and eats an offering or enters the Holies], he shall carry his sin.

Chapter 18

7. Not to follow the ways of the gentiles:
   • G-d spoke to Moses saying, tell the Jewish people: Do not follow the ways of the land of Egypt where you lived, or the ways of the land of the Canaanites where I will bring you. Do not follow their statutes. Follow my laws and decrees as I am G-d your G-d. Follow them and you shall live.

 

Sixth Aliyah:

8. The forbidden relations/Arayos:

• One is not to come close to any [of the following] relatives, to reveal their nakedness [and engage in marital relations].
• Do not reveal the Erva/nakedness of your father or mother [i.e. have intercourse].
• Do not reveal the Erva of your father’s wife.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your sister, including a half sister.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your granddaughter.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your sister if she is your father’s wife’s daughter (half sister).
• Do not reveal the Erva of your father’s sister.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your mother’s sister.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your father’s brother or his wife.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your daughter in-law.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your brother’s wife.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your mother and daughter or granddaughter.
• Do not reveal the Erva of your wife’s sister.
• Do not reveal the Erva of a Nida.
• Do not sleep with another man’s wife.
• Do not give your offspring to the Moleich idolatry, do not desecrate the name of G-d.

 

Seventh Aliyah (Fourth Aliyah when connected to Kedoshim)

• Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman. It is an abomination.
• A man may not lie with an animal.
• A woman may not lie with an animal.

 

9. A warning to keep the land pure and not be expelled:

• Do not impurify your souls with all the above, as the gentiles who I am expelling became impure with them. They defiled the land and it vomited its inhabitants. You, however, shall guard yourselves from all of this, and not perform any of these abominations. Don’t cause the land to vomit you out due to your defilement as it did to the nations before you.
• Punishment of excision: Anyone who performs any of the above abominations shall be cut off from the Jewish people.

________________________________________

[1] So is followed by Ashkenazi and Chabad communities. However, Sepharadi communities read from Yechzkal 22:1-16. [See Rama 428:8 and Poskim ibid]

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