Parshat Hachodesh: the New Moon and the Passover Offering

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 31, 2022 | Bible Study

On the Shabbat that falls out on or before the first day of the month of Nissan, a section of the Torah is read in addition to the regular Torah reading. This Torah reading is called Parshat HaChodesh (Exodus 12:1–20), and relates what God told Moses in Egypt two...

The Hidden Haftorah: Elisha’s miracle of the loaves and healing leprosy

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2022 | Israel, Kings, Metzorah, Miracles, Nisan, Passover, Tazriah, Temple

Every week a portion from the Torah is read aloud in the synagogue, as well as a corresponding portion from the Prophets that is thematically connected to the Torah portion called the haftarah.  The portion of the Torah called Tazria (Leviticus 12-13) is accompanied...

Why Giving Birth Renders A Mother Impure

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2022 | Purity, Tazriah

Leviticus (chapter 12) discusses the laws relating to a woman who has given birth. It mandates a seven-day period of impurity for a woman after giving birth to a male, during which she is forbidden to her husband and is not able to come in contact with sacred items...

Tzaraat On Clothing: The First Warning

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 29, 2022 | Purity, Repentance, Responsibility, Tazriah

Leviticus introduces the affliction of tzaraat. Commonly mistranslated as leprosy, tzaraat can afflict the body, a home, or even clothing.  Tzaraat only afflicts clothing made of three materials: wool, linen, or leather. Only sheep’s wool is susceptible to...

Tzaraat: The Messiah’s Affliction?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | Israel, Messiah, Tazriah, Temple

The Torah portion of Tazria (Leviticus 12-13) deals with tzaraat, a disease usually mistranslated as leprosy. Tzaraat is a malady that afflicts the body, clothing, and the walls of houses. The afflicted is diagnosed by the priest and rendered impure. Tzaraat is...