* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha with Rashi Parshas Tazria-Metzora For the week ending 5 Iyar 5754 15 & 16 April 1994 ======================================================================== Parsha Questions 1. When does a woman who has given birth to a son go to the mikvah? 2. When a person has "tzara'as" what gives him the status of "tamei"(ritually unclean)? 3. What disqualifies a Kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of "tzara'as"? 4. Why are the tips of the twenty-four limbs usually exempt from the examination for "tzara'as"? 5. Which days may a Kohen not rule on "tzara'as"? 6. How must one afflicted with "tzara'as" conduct himself? 7. Why is a person with "tzara'as" forced to dwell outside the camp? 8. What sign denotes "tzara'as" in a garment? 9. What must be done to a garment that has "tzara'as"? 10. If after washing a garment the signs of "tzara'as" disappear entirely, how is the garment purified? 11. When may a Kohen not pronounce a "metzora" to be tahor? 12. What does the cedar wood used in the purification process of a "metzora" symbolize? 13. How was having the plague of "tzara'as" in one's house sometimes advantageous? 14. Where are stones afflicted with "tzara'as" cast? 15. When a house is suspected of having "tzara'as," a Kohen commands to replace the affected stones and to plaster the house. What is the law if the "tzara'as": a) returns and extends; b) does not return; c) returns but does not extend? 16. What is the status of a man who has a "zav" (flow): a) two consecutive days; b) three consecutive days? 17. A "zav" sat or slept on the following: a) a bed; b) a plank; c) a chair; d) a rock. If a "tahor" person touches these things what is his status? 18. What does the Torah mean when it refers to a "zav" who "has not washed his hands" (15:11)? 19. When may a "zav" immerse in a mikvah to purify himself? 20. What is the status if someone experiences a flow only one time? Bonus Question In this week's Parsha (12:3) we learn "And in the eighth day his foreskin shall be circumcised." What does this verse teach that we have not already learned in Sefer Bereshis "And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised (17:12)?" I Did Not Know That! "The Kohen will command that they clear the house [so that its contents] will not become `tamei' (14:36)." Rabbi Meir said, "For what is the Torah showing concern? For his clay vessels, jugs, and flasks [which cannot be purified in a mikvah]. If such is the Torah's concern for his lowly possessions, all the more so for his valuables. And if such for his money, all the more so for his sons and daughters; and if such for an evil person, all the more so for a righteous person." Tractate Nega'im 12:5 ======================================================================== Answers to Last Week's Questions - Parshas Shmini Parsha Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated. 1. 9:11 - On the 1st of Nisan. 2. 9:2 - The calf of the Chatas. 3. 9:2 - A calf as a Chatas and a ram for an Olah. 4. 9:3,4 - A he-goat as a Chatas, a calf and a lamb for an Olah, an ox and a ram for Shlamim, and a Mincha. 5. 9:22 - When he finished offering the korbanos. 6. 9:23 - For one of two reasons, either to teach Aaron about the service of the incense, or to pray for the Shechina to dwell with Israel. 7. 10:2 - Because they decided a law in Moshe's presence, or because they entered the Mishkan while intoxicated. 8. 10:6 - From the fact that Moshe said that all the people of Israel should mourn for Nadav and Avihu. 9. 10:3 - Hashem spoke to him directly to teach what is forbidden to do while intoxicated. 10. 10:16 - The Rosh Chodesh Chatas -- either because it became tamei, or because it is a sacrifice also for future generations and therefore the kohanim could not eat from it while in the state of aninus. 11. 10:20 - Concerning Aaron burning the sacrifice for Rosh Chodesh. 12. 11:2 - They are holy and close to Hashem. 13. 11:2 - Moshe held up the various animals and showed them to Israel. 14. 11:3 - An animal whose hoofs are completely split and which chews its cud. 15. 11:4,5,6,7 - Four. Camel, "shafan", "arnevet", and pig. 16. 11:9 - Fins and Scales. 17. 11:12 - Yes. 18. 11:19 - Because it acts with "chesed" (kindness) toward other storks regarding food. Bonus Question Question: A land animal that has only _one_ of the two signs of kashrus (split hoof or cud-chewing) is forbidden to be eaten (11:8). Rashi says that if an animal has _neither_ sign it is "all the more so" forbidden. How do we understand this in light of the rule that "one may not learn a prohibition based on a Kal V'Chomer (a-fortiori reasoning)"? Answer: One may not learn a prohibition from a Kal V'Chomer if there is no other source for there being a problem in the first place -- but here there is a _positive commandment_ to eat an animal only if it has _both_ of the signs of kashrus (11:3). In such a case a _negative commandment_ can be learned based on a Kal V'Chomer. (Rabbi Eliyahu Mizrachi) ========================================================================= Spend this coming Summer in Israel for as little as $599 -> JLE Israel Summer Seminar '94 <- 6 weeks of study and touring (June 1 - July 17) for Jewish men between the ages of 19 and 30 with demonstrated academic achievment and a sincere motivation to explore their roots. Minimum scholarship price: $599 (for round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours) For information: o send E-Mail to Rabbi Zalman Corlin o from the U.S. call toll-free 800-431-2272 (212-344-2000) o Outside N. America, send E-Mail to: ohr@jer1.co.il ======================================================================== Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet:ohr@jer1.co.il ========================================================================