Tazria – Page 8 – Peninim on the Torah

“On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (12:3)

The mitzvah of Milah, circumcision, leaves an indelible mark on a Jew, one that is with him throughout his life. It is a mitzvah which connects generations, since one’s father is obligated to make sure that his son is circumcised. It is a rite of passage for a Jew, a mitzvah for which Jews throughout the millennia have died. Many stories demonstrate the Jew’s commitment to this special mitzvah. The following is a very poignant story, which demonstrates not only Jewish resolve, but Jewish commitment under the most trying circumstances. Horav Arye Levin, z.l., was accustomed to go to shul…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5760

“He must dwell in solitude, his dwelling shall be outside of the camp.” (13:46)

One would think that enough has been said and written about lashon hara, slanderous speech. Everyone knows what it is, the seriousness of this sin and the tragic effect it has on those involved. Yet, this does not seem to prevent the baal lashon hara, slanderer, from plying his trade. Is there anything left to be said that might have an effect on the baal lashon hara? There might be. As punishment for the baal lashon hara’s evil words, he is sent away from the community to live in solitude until that day that his tzaraas, spiritually inflicted leprosy, is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5759

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male, she shall be contaminated for a period of seven days. (12:2)

The laws regarding the human being are consistent with those dealing with all other creatures. Rashi quotes the Midrash that notes that the creation of man mirrored the creation of animals and birds. In connection with this, the Midrash cites the pasuk in Tehillim (139:5), “Achor vokedem tzartani,” “Behind and before You have fortified me.” This pasuk can be read, “You have formed me,” employing the root word “yatzar“, creation, rather than “tzar” which means to fortify. The latter term is a reference to human creation, which took place both before and after that of other creatures. Man’s neshamah predated…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5759

On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:3)

The mitzvah of Bris Milah, ritual circumcision, is unique in that it has been accepted throughout the generations with joy. Our people have responded to the call of Bris Milah with mesiras nefesh – self sacrifice. The imprint of the Bris Milah is a permanent imprimatur on the child, identifying him as a partner in the Covenant and a member of the Jewish Nation. It is a sign that stays with the child throughout his entire life. The circumcision is an event marked with pride and joy – regardless of the circumstances surrounding the event. It is one mitzvah that…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5759

And he shall call, “Unclean, unclean.” (13:45)

The metzora is spiritually contaminated. He is to remain secluded from society, calling out to others not to come close to him. “Tamei, tamei,” he calls out, notifying people of his present state. The Shelah Ha’Kadosh extends the interpretation of this pasuk by placing a “comma” between the first and second “tamei.” The pasuk would now read, “V’tamei – tamei yikra.” One who disparages others, who calls others tamei is generally projecting his own blemished character. In other words, the model behind most lashon hora is none other than oneself. He who has a character flaw will knowingly and unknowingly…

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Moshe Marcovich In Tazria, 5758

Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael, saying, when a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

In the Talmud Niddah 30b Chazal describe the scenario of an embryo in its mother’s womb. They say that a light burns above his head, so that he is able to see from one end of the world to the other. Man enjoys no greater satisfaction and happiness than during his months in utero. He is also taught the entire Torah. Immediately before he is born, an angel catalyzes him to forget all of his learning. This well-known statement of Chazal stimulates a number of questions. First, why is the child taught in the womb? Would it not have…

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Moshe Marcovich In Tazria, 5758

If a man will have on the skin of his flesh, a rising or a scab, or a bright spot, and it will become a tzaraas affliction on the skin of his flesh……it is a tzaraas affliction; the Kohen shall look at it and declare him contaminated. (13:2;3)

If we were to consider the avos ha’tumah, main categories of spiritual contamination, i.e.: tumas meis, corpse of a human being , sheretz, neveilah, dead bodies of large and eight small mammals, shichvas zera, zav, zavah, various body emissions, niddah, menstruate and yoledes, a woman who has just given birth, we would note that the one common theme among them is death or cessation of life. In one way or another, each one alludes to a termination of life, a lost opportunity for producing life, or a time frame in which reproduction is not a viable condition. Even the new…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

When a woman who conceives and gives birth to a male…on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:2,3)

The commentators, each in his own unique manner, offer various reasons that one is required to perform the bris milah on the eighth day. One of the fundamental reasons is to make sure that the child has lived through a Shabbos. The kedushah, sanctity, of the seventh day/Shabbos infuses a holiness into the child which prepares him for entrance into Klal Yisrael. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, notes that while on the one hand we infer the remarkable kedushah of Shabbos, we also note that milah bizmanah, a circumcision performed at the designated time, the eighth day, overrides Shabbos. One may…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

The Midrash comments concerning this pasuk. Chazal cite the pasuk in Tehillim 139:5, “hb,rmh oseu rujt” “Back and front, You fashioned me.” Resh Lakish says “back and front” refers to the first day of Creation. If a person maintains his commitment to Torah and mitzvos, he is told, “You came before the entire work of Creation.” If, in contrast, he lives a life alienated from Torah, he is told, “Even a gnat preceded you; even an earthworm preceded you.” While man was created chronologically last, he is first in importance–if he has earned this honor. If, however, he falls from…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Tazria, 5757

He shall dwell in isolation; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (13:46)

The metzora receives retribution commensurate with his nefarious deeds. He has spread rumors, slandered people, broken up friendships, and caused the destruction of families. It is, therefore, appropriate that he have the “opportunity” to feel some of the pain of solitude himself. Let him see how it feels to be alone, away from friends and family, a pariah whose seclusion is self-inflicted. He is being compensated for what he has done to others. Sometimes it is necessary for an individual to experience the hurt that he has caused others before he is motivated to expiate his sin. We can infer…

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“On the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (12:3)

“He must dwell in solitude, his dwelling shall be outside of the camp.” (13:46)

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male, she shall be contaminated for a period of seven days. (12:2)

On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:3)

And he shall call, “Unclean, unclean.” (13:45)

Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael, saying, when a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

If a man will have on the skin of his flesh, a rising or a scab, or a bright spot, and it will become a tzaraas affliction on the skin of his flesh……it is a tzaraas affliction; the Kohen shall look at it and declare him contaminated. (13:2;3)

When a woman who conceives and gives birth to a male…on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. (12:2,3)

When a woman conceives and gives birth to a male. (12:2)

He shall dwell in isolation; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (13:46)

YEARS

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