Tazria - Reading #6

Tazria - תזריע

Leviticus: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59

Reading #6 - Leviticus 13:40–54

My Thoughts:

The contaminated person has to dwell outside the camp for seven days by himself. Can you imagine? First of all you must not feel good, then you have to leave your family and community to be all by yourself and quarantine seven days. Any time this happens to any one, it is awful. But, here is the thing. Hashem is always with us. So, really, we are never alone. He dwells alongside us and all we have to do is reach out to Him. It’s true. If you love and serve Adonai -- He will always be with you. You can experience that today. Just pause and reflect. Slow down and “smell the roses” and you will sense His presence.

Challenge:

When was the last time you experienced Hashem? I challenge you today to get to a quiet place. Close your eyes, pray and see if you sense His presence. If so, then take some time to worship Him. He is the One and Only Elohim of the Universe. It is a privilege to be with Him. So enjoy it as it is a precious time. And praise Him for being there!

Reading #6 - Leviticus 13:40–54

13:40 “If a man’s hair has fallen from his head, he is bald. He is clean. 41 If his hair has fallen off from the front part of his head, he is forehead bald. He is clean. 42 But if a reddish-white plague is in the bald head or the bald forehead, it is leprosy breaking out in his bald head or his bald forehead. 43 Then the priest shall examine him. Behold, if the swelling of the plague is reddish-white in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, like the appearance of leprosy in the skin of the body, 44 he is a leprous man. He is unclean. The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean. His plague is on his head.

45 “The leper in whom the plague is shall wear torn clothes, and the hair of his head shall hang loose. He shall cover his upper lip, and shall cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 All the days in which the plague is in him he shall be unclean. He is unclean. He shall dwell alone. His dwelling shall be outside of the camp.

47 “The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it is a woolen garment, or a linen garment; 48 whether it is in warp or woof; of linen or of wool; whether in a leather, or in anything made of leather; 49 if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the leather, or in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything made of leather; it is the plague of leprosy, and shall be shown to the priest. 50 The priest shall examine the plague, and isolate the plague seven days. 51 He shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever use the skin is used for, the plague is a destructive mildew. It is unclean. 52 He shall burn the garment, whether the warp or the woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather, in which the plague is, for it is a destructive mildew. It shall be burned in the fire.

53 “If the priest examines it, and behold, the plague hasn’t spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin; 54 then the priest shall command that they wash the thing that the plague is in, and he shall isolate it seven more days.

Tazria - Reading #5

Tazria - תזריע

Leviticus: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59

Reading #5 - Leviticus 13:29–39

My Thoughts:

More on plagues. It is important to take care of your community when a plague hits. Rules have to be enforced that are of course reasonable, to take control and end it. Medical people have to be put in place. And the most important thing is that the people have to trust those in authority. That seems to be a problem today, with people in office with ulterior motives. Who do you trust? We know that Hashem is truly the one to direct our paths. Pay attention to what He does and tells you.

Challenge:

How are your “trust” issues? Do you trust those in authority over you? Do you have reasons not to trust them? Always try to keep your communications open (with respect) to those who are in charge. And that also includes those in our relationships that we are to respect and trust. The challenge today is to respect and honor those who are in authority in our lives -- just like the people respected the priests.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 13:29–39

29 “When a man or woman has a plague on the head or on the beard, 30 then the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an itch. It is leprosy of the head or of the beard. 31 If the priest examines the plague of itching, and behold, its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall isolate the person infected with itching seven days. 32 On the seventh day the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the appearance of the itch isn’t deeper than the skin, 33 then he shall be shaved, but he shall not shave the itch. Then the priest shall isolate the one who has the itch seven more days. 34 On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch; and behold, if the itch hasn’t spread in the skin, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. He shall wash his clothes and be clean. 35 But if the itch spreads in the skin after his cleansing, 36 then the priest shall examine him; and behold, if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest shall not look for the yellow hair; he is unclean. 37 But if in his eyes the itch is arrested and black hair has grown in it, then the itch is healed. He is clean. The priest shall pronounce him clean.

38 “When a man or a woman has bright spots in the skin of the body, even white bright spots, 39 then the priest shall examine them. Behold, if the bright spots on the skin of their body are a dull white, it is a harmless rash. It has broken out in the skin. He is clean.

Tazria - Reading #4

Tazria - תזריע

Leviticus: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59

Reading #4 - Leviticus 13:24–28

My Thoughts:

The Torah is full of numbers. In today’s reading we hear about examining a person on the seventh day. You could be declared clean or unclean at this time. Think about it. Seven days. The seventh day of the week is a holy day. Maybe Hashem is trying to tell us something here. Torah seems to be “cyclical” and a skin disease can seem to repair itself in seven days. I don’t want to go too deep on all of this. But, just give it some thought and see if you get some insight. Why seven?

Challenge:

Challenges are hard for me to give you during these readings this week, because basically every day we are reading about leprosy and skin disease. I guess today I would just challenge you to take good care of yourself. Eat healthy clean foods, take vitamins, rest on Shabbat, be kind to your family and friends, and remember to worship Hashem throughout your day. And importantly, remember to follow Torah. These things will guarantee you a good life.

Reading #4 - Leviticus 13:24–28

13:24 “Or when the body has a burn from fire on its skin, and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white, or white, 25 then the priest shall examine it; and behold, if the hair in the bright spot has turned white, and its appearance is deeper than the skin, it is leprosy. It has broken out in the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. 26 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there is no white hair in the bright spot, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days. 27 The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. 28 If the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn’t spread in the skin, but is faded, it is the swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar from the burn.

Tazria - Reading #3

Tazria - תזריע

Leviticus: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59

Reading #3 - Leviticus 13:18–23

My Thoughts:

More on skin diseases in today’s reading. It is all about protecting people from diseases and being unclean for Tabernacle worship. Hashem cares about every single facet of our life. And He wants us to be “clean” when entering His presence. The priests have the role of making sure all is safe. It would be comforting to have someone in that role in your community, don’t you think? Someone to make sure the people are being cared for and watched over.

Challenge:

Plagues affect people and communities, in disastrous ways. When Covid 19 went around the world it affected governments, economies, religious organizations, families and individuals. We did not have local trusted religious authorities telling us what to do (although hopefully you did!), instead we had the government telling us what to do. Wouldn’t it be so nice to be able to rely on people we know and trust to advise in situations like this? Maybe we need to seek out and look for people we can go to for advice. Maybe this is evidence of how important it is to be part of a synagogue. Take today to think of how you can join a community that has trusted G-dly authority.

Reading #3 - Leviticus 13:18–23

13:18 “When the body has a boil on its skin, and it has healed, 19 and in the place of the boil there is a white swelling, or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it shall be shown to the priest. 20 The priest shall examine it. Behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. It has broken out in the boil. 21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall isolate him seven days. 22 If it spreads in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a plague. 23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn’t spread, it is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

Tazria - Reading #2

Tazria - תזריע

Leviticus: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59

Reading #2 - Leviticus 13:6–17

My Thoughts:

If you contracted leprosy or some skin disease, you were to go directly to the priest for examination. It’s like the priest acted like a physician only more. He was appointed and anointed. Why would Hashem be so detailed about all this? Maybe because skin diseases were prevalent during this time and most likely were very contagious. They would even implement a time of quarantine. Sound familiar? Hashem is protecting His people and trying to keep them healthy. When one gets sick, He has instructions to make sure not everyone follows suit. He cares.

Challenge:

The priest is the authority in the ill person’s life. Do you have an authority in your life? Do you go to them to “examine” your issues and give instructions to you for healing? Would your authority recommend “separating” you from others during a time for healing? Think about who you have in your life that you go to when you have issues. I suggest you honor and respect this person, and pay attention to his/her instructions. Of course, check in with Hashem and make sure this is the right thing to do. Then do it.

Reading #2 - Leviticus 13:6–17

13:6 The priest shall examine him again on the seventh day. Behold, if the plague has faded and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. It is a scab. He shall wash his clothes, and be clean. 7 But if the scab spreads on the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall show himself to the priest again. 8 The priest shall examine him; and behold, if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.

9 “When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought to the priest; 10 and the priest shall examine him. Behold, if there is a white swelling in the skin, and it has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic leprosy in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not isolate him, for he is already unclean.

12 “If the leprosy breaks out all over the skin, and the leprosy covers all the skin of the infected person from his head even to his feet, as far as it appears to the priest, 13 then the priest shall examine him. Behold, if the leprosy has covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean of the plague. It has all turned white: he is clean. 14 But whenever raw flesh appears in him, he shall be unclean. 15 The priest shall examine the raw flesh, and pronounce him unclean: the raw flesh is unclean. It is leprosy. 16 Or if the raw flesh turns again, and is changed to white, then he shall come to the priest. 17 The priest shall examine him. Behold, if the plague has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague. He is clean.

Tazria - Reading #1

Tazria - תזריע

Leviticus: Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59

Reading #1 - Leviticus 12:1–13:5

My Thoughts:

I had this thought. In verse 13:1 it says “Hashem spoke to Moses and Aaron...”. And He goes on to talk to them about some specifics with skin diseases. We read this so casually, but think about it. Hashem is somehow talking to Moses and Aaron and giving them instructions. It can’t be casual, it has to be astounding! It is not every day that someone hears the voice of Elohim. Now I can see where they must have been kneeling and frantically listening and writing things down! This was Elohim speaking and you did not want to get any words wrong! Wow is all I can say.

Challenge:

Are you casual about listening to the voice of Hashem? During prayer time, worship or during the day -- do you feel like He might be saying something to you? If so, this is not to be taken lightly, but we should stop in our tracks and reverently listen to what He says. We should take it very seriously and then praise Him for taking time to speak to us. And most importantly, do what you think He is saying to you! If you don’t, you will regret it forever!

Reading #1 - Leviticus 12:1–13:5

12 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a woman conceives, and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her monthly period she shall be unclean. 3 In the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 She shall continue in the blood of purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any holy thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. 5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her period; and she shall continue in the blood of purification sixty-six days.

6 “‘When the days of her purification are completed for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of Meeting, a year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove, for a sin offering. 7 He shall offer it before Hashem, and make atonement for her; then she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood.

“‘This is the law for her who bears, whether a male or a female. 8 If she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons: the one for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering. The priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.’”

13 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “When a man shall have a swelling in his body’s skin, or a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes in the skin of his body the plague of leprosy, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons, the priests. 3 The priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body. If the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the body’s skin, it is the plague of leprosy; so the priest shall examine him and pronounce him unclean. 4 If the bright spot is white in the skin of his body, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, and its hair hasn’t turned white, then the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days. 5 The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. Behold, if in his eyes the plague is arrested and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days.

Tazria - Week #8

Tazria תַזְרִיעַ - She Bears Seed

Leviticus 12:1-13:59

II Kings 4:42-5:19

1.1 First reading — Leviticus 12:1–13:5

1.2 Second reading — Leviticus 13:6–17

1.3 Third reading — Leviticus 13:18–23

1.4 Fourth reading — Leviticus 13:24–28

1.5 Fifth reading — Leviticus 13:29–39

1.6 Sixth reading — Leviticus 13:40–54

1.7 Seventh reading — Leviticus 13:55–59