{"id":6486,"date":"2017-04-23T11:34:01","date_gmt":"2017-04-23T11:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=6486"},"modified":"2018-07-26T00:51:54","modified_gmt":"2018-07-26T00:51:54","slug":"bits-torah-truths-call-self-inspection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-torah-truths-call-self-inspection\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parshiyot Tazria and Metzora, \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05ea\u05d6\u05e8\u05d9\u05e2 \u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05e2, The Call to Self Inspection"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe title=\"Bits of Torah Truths, Parshiyot Tazria and Metzora, \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05ea\u05d6\u05e8\u05d9\u05e2 \u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05e2, The Call to Self Inspection\" width=\"696\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bG1eyNq0OR0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Parashat Tazria opens continuing the discussion on ritual impurity and purity.\u00a0 The Torah speaks of women who give birth, whether a male or female child, undergo a process of purification following having given birth.\u00a0 We also read about Tzaraat (\u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea), which is often mistranslated as <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cleprosy.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Tzaraat is a supernatural plague which also may afflict garments and even the home.\u00a0 The Torah provides various signs for the kohen (priest) to be able to judge whether the afflicted person, material, or home is to be pronounced tamei (impure) or tahor (pure).\u00a0 The Torah says, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">13:3 \u2018The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of tzaraat; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 These instructions help the kohen to determine whether this is simply a surface affliction as opposed to something that goes much deeper.\u00a0 This form of affliction may only be healed with the help of the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 The way the supernatural affliction of Tzaraat is described to us, these scriptures direct us to consider the deeper spiritual insights in the affliction of the body to the sinfulness of the soul.\u00a0 When considering the connection between the body and the soul, the rabbis in the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A and 5B<\/span><\/em> speak of the love of God in relation to affliction and this week\u2019s Torah portion on Tzaraat.\u00a0 Based upon the items that may be afflicted with Tzaraat (Person, Place, or Thing) in the different afflictions of the skin, the common denominator is that there are different shades of white for distinguishing one\u2019s affliction.\u00a0 According to the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5<\/span><\/em>, the only skin afflictions that may be viewed as God\u2019s reminder to improve our lifestyle are the four kinds that are mentioned here in Parashat Tazria.\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Sforno on Vayikra \/ Leviticus 13:2 Part 2<\/span><\/em> states, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cWhile they are not classified as afflictions revealing G\u2019d\u2019s love for the person thus afflicted, they are however, described as \u05de\u05d6\u05d1\u05d7 \u05db\u05e4\u05e8\u05d4, as \u201can altar of atonement\u201d serving as a stepping stone to atonement for the character weakness that the afflicted person has to overcome. G\u2019d does not employ any other medically well known skin diseases as His instrument to call us to order for the various sins committed.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The reason these things are considered supernatural afflictions is because these skin diseases listed in the Torah are not in the medical text books.\u00a0 The conclusion is that these afflictions are the result of sin, and therefore one is being brought to the realization of one\u2019s need to repent, turn from sin, and seek the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 This may be why the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5B<\/span><\/em> states saying, \u05d5\u05e0\u05d2\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d4\u05ea\u05e0\u05d9\u05d0 \u05db\u05dc \u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d9\u05e9 \u05d1\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d7\u05d3 \u05de\u05d0\u05e8\u05d1\u05e2\u05d4 \u05de\u05e8\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea \u05e0\u05d2\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05dc\u05dc\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05df \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05de\u05d6\u05d1\u05d7 \u05db\u05e4\u05e8\u05d4 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">The Gemara asks: Is leprosy not an affliction of love? Didn\u2019t we learn in a baraita: If one has any of the four signs of leprosy (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 13) they are nothing other than an altar of atonement?<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The rabbis suggest that Tzaraat may be an affliction of love. If the point of Tzaraat is repentance, then the Gemera asks a very good question that leads us to understand the infinite love of God for His people.\u00a0 Teshuvah (repentance) literally means, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201creturn.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 At its core, it is a process designed to help us get back and to bring all of who we are to the Lord, first internally, then externally through our actions and our words.\u00a0 In the Torah, leprosy was used as a graphic sign that something was very wrong spiritually and teshuvah was in order.\u00a0 There are many reasons given as the underlying problem,<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> i,e, lashon harah<\/span><\/em>. Some reasons may be jealousy, anger and arrogance (domination).\u00a0 Rebellion, a complex action, is another powerful motivation for lashon harah that often results in great harm and destruction to both ourselves and to others.\u00a0 This is why when one was afflicted by Tzaraat, they were declared unclean and forced to leave the community of believers as a protection for them.\u00a0 This is meant for us to place our lives before God because when we do, the Lord will change us from the inside out.\u00a0 The Lord God begins the process of perfecting us from the moment we place our faith in Him and in His Messiah Yeshua.\u00a0 The Lord sends His Spirit into our lives.\u00a0 He creates in us new hearts with new holy desires (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ezekiel 36:26<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 He transforms our stubborn will, and He opens our hearts to embrace the truth rather than to reject it, to believe rather than to doubt.\u00a0 He gives us a hunger for righteousness and a desire for Him.\u00a0 This is the transformation of the inner most person.\u00a0 It is from this perspective Tzaraat was meant as the end all of spiritual warnings.\u00a0 Based upon these Scriptures, everything that occurs in our lives, whether good or bad, the Lord uses to make us like His Messiah (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 8:28\u201330<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Let\u2019s discuss these things further in this week\u2019s Torah portion.<\/p>\n<p>This week we are looking at <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 13:1-17<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 13:1-17<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 13:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,13:2 \u2018When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bright spot, and it becomes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. 13:3 \u2018The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean. 13:4 \u2018But if the bright spot is white on the skin of his body, and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and the hair on it has not turned white, then the priest shall isolate him who has the infection for seven days. 13:5 \u2018The priest shall look at him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the infection has not changed and the infection has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days. 13:6 \u2018The priest shall look at him again on the seventh day, and if the infection has faded and the mark has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scab. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean. 13:7 \u2018But if the scab spreads farther on the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall appear again to the priest. 13:8 \u2018The priest shall look, and if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is leprosy. 13:9 \u2018When the infection of leprosy is on a man, then he shall be brought to the priest. 13:10 \u2018The priest shall then look, and if there is a white swelling in the skin, and it has turned the hair white, and there is quick raw flesh in the swelling, 13:11 it is a chronic leprosy on the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean; he shall not isolate him, for he is unclean. 13:12 \u2018If the leprosy breaks out farther on the skin, and the leprosy covers all the skin of him who has the infection from his head even to his feet, as far as the priest can see, 13:13 then the priest shall look, and behold, if the leprosy has covered all his body, he shall pronounce clean him who has the infection; it has all turned white and he is clean. 13:14 \u2018But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean. 13:15 \u2018The priest shall look at the raw flesh, and he shall pronounce him unclean; the raw flesh is unclean, it is leprosy. 13:16 \u2018Or if the raw flesh turns again and is changed to white, then he shall come to the priest, 13:17 and the priest shall look at him, and behold, if the infection has turned to white, then the priest shall pronounce clean him who has the infection; he is clean. 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\u05d5\u05b0\u05d8\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df \u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0:\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e4\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d8\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b7\u05e2 \u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df: \u05d9\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea-\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e4\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05b5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05df \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d7\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea: \u05d9\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d8\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d8\u05b8\u05de\u05b5\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0: \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 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\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d2\u05b7\u05e2 \u05db\u05bc\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e4\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05df \u05d8\u05b8\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0: \u05d9\u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d8\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0: \u05d8\u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d8\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d8\u05b8\u05de\u05b5\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0: \u05d8\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05df \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df: \u05d9\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b6\u05d4\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05da\u05b0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05d2\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d8\u05b4\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05d2\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d8\u05b8\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The Torah instructions to the priest who is responsible to inspect the one afflicted with tzaraat are given in the following way, the Lord says, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">13:3 \u2018The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of tzaraat; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 These instructions help the kohen to determine whether this is simply a surface affliction as opposed to something that goes much deeper.\u00a0 This form of affliction may only be healed with the help of the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 The way the supernatural affliction of Tzaraat is described to us, these scriptures direct us to consider the deeper spiritual insights in the affliction of the body to the sinfulness of the soul.\u00a0 This idea of self inspection is a part of who we are as the children of God.\u00a0 The <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A<\/span><\/em> speaks of these things in the following way.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> \u05d0\u201d\u05e8 \u05d9\u05e6\u05d7\u05e7 \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05e7\u05d5\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e7\u201d\u05e9 \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05d8\u05ea\u05d5 \u05db\u05d0\u05dc\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d5\u05d7\u05d6 \u05d7\u05e8\u05d1 \u05e9\u05dc \u05e9\u05ea\u05d9 \u05e4\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea \u05d1\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 (\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05de\u05d8, \u05d5) \u05e8\u05d5\u05de\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05d2\u05e8\u05d5\u05e0\u05dd \u05d5\u05d7\u05e8\u05d1 \u05e4\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea \u05d1\u05d9\u05d3\u05dd \u05de\u05d0\u05d9 \u05de\u05e9\u05de\u05e2 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05de\u05e8 \u05d6\u05d5\u05d8\u05e8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05ea\u05d9\u05de\u05d0 \u05e8\u05d1 \u05d0\u05e9\u05d9 \u05de\u05e8\u05d9\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d3\u05e2\u05e0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d0 \u05d3\u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 (\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05de\u05d8, \u05d4) \u05d9\u05e2\u05dc\u05d6\u05d5 \u05d7\u05e1\u05d9\u05d3\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05db\u05d1\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d9\u05e8\u05e0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05e9\u05db\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea\u05dd \u05d5\u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05ea\u05e8\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e8\u05d5\u05de\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05d2\u05e8\u05d5\u05e0\u05dd \u05d5\u05d7\u05e8\u05d1 \u05e4\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea \u05d1\u05d9\u05d3\u05dd. The Gemara continues its treatment of the recitation of Shema upon one\u2019s bed. Rabbi Yitz\u1e25ak said: Anyone who recites Shema on his bed, it is as if he holds a double-edged sword, guarding him from all evil, as it is stated: \u201cHigh praises of God in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands\u201d (Psalms 149:6). The Gemara asks: From where is it inferred that this verse from Psalms refers to the recitation of Shema? Mar Zutra, and some say Rav Ashi, said: We derive it from the preceding verse, as it is written: \u201cLet the pious exult in glory; let them joyously sing upon their beds.\u201d The praise of God from one\u2019s bed is the recitation of Shema. And it is written thereafter: \u201cHigh praises of God in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The rabbis of the Talmud speak of the Shema (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 6:4<\/span><\/em>) and the significance of reciting the Shema saying that the one who recites the Shema is as if he holds a double edged sword that guards him from all evil.\u00a0 Why do the rabbis consider the recitation of the Shema in this way?\u00a0 Why do you think the rabbis place such emphasis upon the recitation of the Shema?\u00a0 The context for the Shema is found in the following verses:\u00a0 6:4 \u2018Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">6:5 \u2018You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6:6 \u2018These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 6:7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 6:8 \u2018You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 6:9 \u2018You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (NASB,<\/span><\/em> \u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 | \u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3: \u05d4\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b6\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05db\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d8\u05b9\u05d8\u05b8\u05e4\u05b9\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8: \u05d8\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05de\u05b0\u05d6\u05bb\u05d6\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8:<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Notice the context of the Shema, believing in the oneness of God and how we are to hold onto the Lord, to love the Lord with all our heart and soul.\u00a0 The Word of God is to become a part of our lives that is said to be <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cupon our hearts,\u201d<\/span><\/em> we are to diligently teach God\u2019s word to our children, speaking of God\u2019s word always when raising up and when laying down, and God\u2019s Word is to become a part of our homes, to the very foundation of who we are, as the Scriptures say, God\u2019s word is written upon the doors of our homes and are to be placed upon our foreheads and as a sign on our hands.\u00a0 This describes the position of the Word of God in our lives as going before us directing our minds (forehead) and being at our right hand, a place of power and authority in our lives for discerning between what is right as opposed to what is wrong.\u00a0 When the Talmud speaks of the Shema being a double-edged sword capable of protecting one from evil; this is the context of the rabbis statements.\u00a0 These instructions on the Shema speak of something that is more than a superficial recitation of the Shema.\u00a0 The rabbis are speaking of having a deep love for the Lord God and for His Word.\u00a0 The instructions in Parashat Tazria parallel the instructions on the inspection of tzaraat as something more than simply a surface affliction as opposed to something that goes much deeper.\u00a0 Tzaraat is a disease that speaks to a deeper spiritual issue that only the Lord is able to heal and set the one afflicted on the correct path where we are told to seek the Lord with all of our mind, soul, and heart.\u00a0 These scriptures direct us to consider the deep spiritual insights in the affliction of the body to the sinfulness of the soul.\u00a0 We are called as the children of God to carefully inspect ourselves so that we do not end up in this situation.<\/p>\n<p>This is the context of the Psalmist when he said the following, \u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e4\u05b8\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 | \u05d7\u05b6\u05d1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9-\u05de\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05ea \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0: \u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dd-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b0\u05d8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9:\u00a0 \u05d4\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7 \u05d5\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd:\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">116:3 The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. 116:4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: \u2018O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!\u2019 116:5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The Lord preserves the simple (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">116:6<\/span><\/em>), when we seek the Lord we return to His rest (\u05e9\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">peace, 116:7<\/span><\/em>), and the Lord rescues us from death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">116:8<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Notice what it means to call upon the name of the Lord.\u00a0 This follows what Paul wrote to the Romans saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cWhoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 10:13<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 According to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 4:26<\/span><\/em>, the Torah tells us the practice of calling on the Lord began long ago, by the third generation of mankind in the time when Adam\u2019s grandson Enosh was born:\u00a0 The Scripture states, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">4:26 To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord. (NASB,<\/span><\/em> \u05db\u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05ea \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd-\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d6 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7\u05dc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4:<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The name \u05d0\u05b1\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1 means <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ca man\u201d<\/span><\/em> or <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ca mortal\u201d<\/span><\/em> indicating the mortality of man being frail and without God.\u00a0 Based upon the Masoretic Text, the name of Enosh (\u05d0\u05b1\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1) suggests that men began to realize both the emptiness and vanity of life apart from God as well as their own fragility and mortality.\u00a0\u00a0 The practice of calling upon the Lord as it is revealed in the Torah is not meant to be performed as a ritual by route.\u00a0 It is our calling upon the One we love, the Lord our Father in heaven and His Messiah Yeshua.\u00a0 Just as children calling to their parents, the Lord is always available to hear our call.\u00a0 This is why the Rabbis in the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A<\/span><\/em> make the claims that they do in regards to the recitation of the Shema.<\/p>\n<p>Calling upon the Lord is like drawing refreshing water from a deep well that never runs dry.\u00a0 When Peter was speaking to the people on the Temple mount, he quoted the prophet Joel as saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cAnd it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 2:21<\/span><\/em>). Peter was telling men that this prophecy was being fulfilled that very hour, and that the time had come when men could <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ccall on the name of the Lord\u201d<\/span><\/em> and be saved.\u00a0 Peter went on to speak of Yeshua the Messiah and his sacrifice for the people.\u00a0 Peter closed by saying <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cthat God hath made that same man (Yeshua), whom they had crucified both Lord and Messiah of Israel\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 2:36<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Therefore, we call upon the name of Yeshua to be saved because he is our Lord, and authority and power were given to him by our Father in heaven.\u00a0 This is why Paul said what he did to the Romans, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cWhosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved\u201d<\/span> <\/em>(<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 10:13<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 When the people heard the message of what the Messiah had done on the day of Shavuot, they were pricked in their hearts and they wanted to know what to do to be saved (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 2:38<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Peter answered their question saying that they are to call upon the name of the Lord.\u00a0 Peter began speaking to the people saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cYou men of Israel hear these words\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 2:22<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 So the idea is that one must hear the Word of God spoken.\u00a0 This again draws us back to the rabbinic comments upon the Shema and the protection of God\u2019s word as a double-edged sword.\u00a0 This is consistent with what we read the rabbis saying in the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A<\/span><\/em> as the rabbis continue to discuss the topic of the Shema.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A<\/em><\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em> \u05d5\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e6\u05d7\u05e7 \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05e7\u05d5\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e7\u05e8\u05d9\u05d0\u05ea \u05e9\u05de\u05e2 \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05d8\u05ea\u05d5 \u05de\u05d6\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05d3\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05d9\u05de\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 (\u05d0\u05d9\u05d5\u05d1 \u05d4, \u05d6) \u05d5\u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e8\u05e9\u05e3 \u05d9\u05d2\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 \u05e2\u05d5\u05e3 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05d5\u05e3 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 (\u05de\u05e9\u05dc\u05d9 \u05db\u05d2, \u05d4) \u05d4\u05ea\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05da \u05d1\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e8\u05e9\u05e3 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05de\u05d6\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05df \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 (\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d1, \u05db\u05d3) \u05de\u05d6\u05d9 \u05e8\u05e2\u05d1 \u05d5\u05dc\u05d7\u05d5\u05de\u05d9 \u05e8\u05e9\u05e3 \u05d5\u05e7\u05d8\u05d1 \u05de\u05e8\u05d9\u05e8\u05d9. And Rabbi Yitz\u1e25ak said: Anyone who recites Shema upon his bed, demons stay away from him. This is alluded to, as it is stated: \u201cBut man is born into trouble, and the sparks [reshef ] fly [uf ] upward\u201d (Job 5:7). The verse is explained: The word fly [uf ] means nothing other than Torah, as Torah is difficult to grasp and easy to lose, like something that floats away, as it is stated: \u201cWill you set your eyes upon it? It is gone; for riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies into the heavens\u201d (Proverbs 23:5). The word \u201csparks\u201d means nothing other than demons, as it is stated: \u201cWasting of hunger, and the devouring of the sparks [reshef] and bitter destruction [ketev meriri], and the teeth of beasts I will send upon them, with the venom of crawling things of the dust\u201d (Deuteronomy 32:24). Here we see reshef listed along with ketev meriri, both of which are understood by the Sages to be names of demons.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>According to the rabbis, the recitation of the Shema upon one\u2019s bed keeps demons away because a man is born into troubles and it is the Word of the Lord that sets us free from our troubles and from the evil one.\u00a0 This is consistent with the conclusions that the Study of God\u2019s Word keeps suffering away from the man that does so.\u00a0 The reason being, the one who studies God\u2019s Word and seeks to apply God\u2019s Word to his life seeks to live in righteousness, holiness, justice, and truth.\u00a0 The one who determines himself to study God\u2019s word distances himself from trouble and suffering by staying away from the works of sin in his life.\u00a0 So we see that one must hear the Word of the Lord, and after hearing the word, placing it upon our hearts, we are<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> \u201cpricked in the hearts\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 2:37<\/span><\/em>) to turn from our sins in Teshuvah and to seek to apply God\u2019s Word to our lives.\u00a0 The Word of the Lord produces faith in our hearts.\u00a0 The <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A<\/span><\/em> continues saying the following.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05df \u05d1\u05df \u05dc\u05e7\u05d9\u05e9 \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05e2\u05d5\u05e1\u05e7 \u05d1\u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05e1\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05d3\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05d9\u05de\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e8\u05e9\u05e3 \u05d9\u05d2\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 \u05e2\u05d5\u05e3 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05d5\u05e3 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d4\u05ea\u05e2\u05d9\u05e3 \u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05da \u05d1\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e8\u05e9\u05e3 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05e1\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05df \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05de\u05d6\u05d9 \u05e8\u05e2\u05d1 \u05d5\u05dc\u05d7\u05d5\u05de\u05d9 \u05e8\u05e9\u05e3 Regarding this unclear verse, Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: If one engages in Torah study, suffering stays away from him, as it is stated: \u201cAnd the sparks fly upward.\u201d And fly means nothing other than Torah, and sparks means nothing other than suffering, as it is stated: \u201cWasting of hunger, and the devouring of the sparks,\u201d equating devouring sparks with wasting hunger, as both are types of suffering. From here, we derive that through Torah, fly, one is able to distance himself, upward, from suffering, sparks.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This is why the rabbis say that for those who study God\u2019s Word they will see God (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berekhot 5A<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Note what happened when Peter spoke the Word of God to the people, these people heard the message, believed, and then were told what to do to be saved.\u00a0 Peter said, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cRepent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins\u201d<\/span> <\/em>(<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 2:38<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 What did these people do when they<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> \u201ccalled upon the name of the Lord?\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 First they heard the Word of God, believed the Word of God, repented of their sins, confessed Yeshua as the Messiah, as the Son of God, and as Lord of their lives, and were baptized into the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 2:38<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The reason these Scriptures are written in this way is because without repentance (Teshuvah) there is no forgiveness of sins.\u00a0 The ritual bath (mikvah \/ baptism) is the physical act of repenting and turning one\u2019s life towards God\u2019s ways.\u00a0 Notice something here, one is rendering obedience to the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cLord of Lords\u201d<\/span><\/em> by doing these things.\u00a0 Yeshua said, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c16:16 \u2018He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.\u201d<\/span> <\/em>(<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mark 16:16<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 This lays down the simple principle, obey the Lord and be saved.\u00a0 The point of studying the Torah is to not get to the point where extreme measures are needed to draw us back to repentance.\u00a0 The Talmud considers the disease of Tzaraat as purposed to lead one to repentance.\u00a0 If the point of Tzaraat is repentance, then the Gemera asks a good question.\u00a0 According to the Torah, leprosy was used as a graphic sign that something was very wrong spiritually and Teshuvah was in order.\u00a0 Rebellion may manifest itself in complex ways in our lives that result in great destruction to our selves and to others.\u00a0 This is why when one was afflicted by Tzaraat, they were declared unclean and forced to leave the community of believers as a protection for them and for the community.\u00a0 Upon the manifestation of Tzaraat, sin has been firmly rooted in the person, place, or thing.\u00a0 This is meant for us to place our lives before God daily because when we do, the Lord will change us from the inside out.\u00a0 The Lord God begins the process of perfecting us from the moment we place our faith in Him and in His Messiah Yeshua, and this is the point we should be at all times of our lives.\u00a0 The Lord sends His Spirit into our lives to guide and direct us while He is creating in us new hearts with new holy desires (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ezekiel 36:26<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 He transforms our stubborn wills.\u00a0 He opens our hearts to embrace the truth rather than to reject it, to believe rather than to doubt.\u00a0 He gives us a hunger for righteousness and a desire for Him.\u00a0 This is the transformation of the inner most person.\u00a0 It is from this perspective Tzaraat was meant as the end all of spiritual warnings.\u00a0 Based upon these Scriptures, everything that occurs in our lives, whether good or bad, the Lord uses to make us like His Messiah (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 8:28\u201330<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 As we remain in the Messiah Yeshua, we are warned to stay away from sin and from the ways of the nations.\u00a0 The Lord established these examples in the Scriptures to learn from.\u00a0 The warning to stay away from the nations was not simply to avoid astrology, occult, mediums and sorcery.\u00a0 Parashat Tazria warns us using the spiritual malady of Tzaraat saying that the inspection of of our lives should be something more than simply superficial as opposed to something that goes much deeper.\u00a0 As the children of God we are called to inspect our lives daily; not just the superficial but to look deep within ourselves and seek out the motivations of our hearts for the reasons why we do the things that we do.\u00a0 All things should be done for the glory of God!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/BTT_Parashat-Tazria-Metzora-2017.pdf\">BTT_Parashat Tazria-Metzora-2017<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parashat Tazria opens continuing the discussion on ritual impurity and purity.\u00a0 The Torah speaks of women who give birth, whether a male or female child, undergo a process of purification following having given birth.\u00a0 We also read about Tzaraat (\u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea), which is often mistranslated as \u201cleprosy.\u201d\u00a0 Tzaraat is a supernatural plague which also may afflict [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6490,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6486","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6486"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}