What does tzaraas have to do with the holiday of Pesach around which we read this parsha besides for a lowly strain of hyssop grass? Rabbi Carmell weaves a powerful picture of faith and miracles, and humility is the thread that holds them all together.
Rabbi Avi Geller's series on the entire five books of Judaism is delivered with lively enthusiasm and humor. Each weekly talk is a whirlwind tour of all the events of that week's Torah portion, plus major commentaries and explanations of fundamental concepts of Judaism.
There are probably few sections of the Torah we find ourselves more removed from then the purification process of a leper. Nevertheless, this topic contains many areas we do learn much from, and continue living with them in different areas of our lives. Rabbi Ari Kahn penetrates into its underlying symbolism.
During the early days of the Jewish Nation when anyone spoke derogatorily against another his skin would erupt into a striking visible leprosy, that displayed all the spiritual damage he had caused. The process to rectify his leprosy was similarly striking. A powerful class on the tongue's ability to build the fabric of your life - or to weaken it.
Why is a woman who gave birth required to bring a sacrifice afterward? Many think the idea of leprosy and quarantine of the leper are health measures. Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch proves that this can't be further from the truth. It's so easy to speak negatively about others - how does the metzora show the great effort it takes to rectify the damage?
The comparison between lason hara and the three cardinal sins seems to be an exaggeration. Rabbi Rosenblum paints the frightening scene that takes place in Heaven as we speak negatively, bringing home the gravity of that seemingly simple transgression. He goes on to discuss the motivations behind lashon hara, finding hints to them in the verses regarding the metzora.
Why were some homeowners' plagued with tzara'as (a malignant disease) in the stones of their houses? In Hashem's eyes, a donation from a wealthy man could very well be considered less important than a poor man's meager contribution - and Rabbi Rosenblum proves it. Along with other interesting vorts hear the connection between dipping in a mikveh and the Torah.
If you usually skip over parsha talks, give a listen to Rabbi Wagensberg! His dynamic style gives an exciting twist to each week's parsha, often coming from a new vantage point.
If you usually skip over parsha talks, give a listen to Rabbi Wagensberg! His dynamic style gives an exciting twist to each week's parsha, often coming from a new vantage point.
If you usually skip over parsha talks, give a listen to Rabbi Wagensberg! His dynamic style gives an exciting twist to each week's parsha, often coming from a new vantage point.