* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshat Tazria/Metzorah For the week ending 5 Iyar 5761 / April 27 & 28, 2001 ===================================== TAZRIA 1. "Any holy thing she shall not touch." In this context, what does "touch" mean? 2. After a woman gives birth she is required to offer two types of korbanot. What are they? 3. Who declares whether an affliction of tzara'at is impure or pure? 4. How many hairs in a suspected area must turn white before the kohen can declare a person tamei? 5. What disqualifies a kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of tzara'at? 6. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow (e.g., the head or beard), what color hair indicates tumah? 7. What is the name for tzara'at of the scalp or beard area? 8. What signs of mourning must a metzora display? 9. Why must a metzora call out, "Tamei! Tamei!"? 10. Why is a metzora commanded to dwell in isolation? METZORAH 1. When may a metzora not be pronounced tahor? 2. In the midbar, where did a metzora dwell while he was tamei? 3. Why does a metzora require birds in the purification process? 4. In the purification process of a metzora, what does the cedar wood symbolize? 5. When the metzora was presented "before Hashem" (14:11) in the Beit Hamikdash, where did he stand? 6. Toward what direction does the kohen sprinkle the oil from the metzora's korban? 7. How was having tzara'at in one's house sometimes advantageous? 8. When a person enters a house that has tzara'at, when do his clothes become tamei? 9. 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? 10. What does the Torah mean when it refers to a zav who "has not washed his hands"? ================================== I DID NOT KNOW THAT! "He shall shave, but the netek-affliction he shall not shave..." (13:33) When a netek-affliction, a particular form of tzara'at on a person's hair, requires that he shave, the actual netek itself was left unshaved. This hints to the idea that a person should accept Divine punishment and not try to deny it or hide it. * Sefer Hachinuch ================================== RECOMMENDED READING LIST TAZRIA Ramban 12:2 Procreation 12:7 The "Sin" of Childbirth 13:47 The Greatness of Tzara'at Sefer Hachinuch 167 Respect for Kedusha 168 A Gift of Thanks Sforno 12:8 Self Involvement 13:47 Garments METZORA Ramban 14:2 Compulsive Cleanliness 15:11 The Zav Sefer Hachinuch 174 Purification and Rebirth 175 Cleansing Waters Sforno 14:12 The Asham of the Metzora 14:36 The Reason for Waiting 15:2 The Zav ================================== ANSWERS TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated TAZRIA 1. "Any holy thing she shall not touch." In this context, what does "touch" mean? 12:4 - Eat. 2. After a woman gives birth she is required to offer two types of korbanot. What are they? 12:6 - An olah and a chatat. 3. Who declares whether an affliction of tzara'at is impure or pure? 13:2 - A kohen. 4. How many hairs in a suspected area must turn white before the kohen can declare a person tamei? 13:3 - At least two. 5. What disqualifies a kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of tzara'at? 13:12 - Poor vision. 6. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow (e.g., the head or beard), what color hair indicates tumah? 13:29 - Golden. 7. What is the name for tzara'at of the scalp or beard area? 13:30 - Netek. 8. What signs of mourning must a metzora display? 13:45 - He must tear his garments, let his hair grow and enshroud his face. 9. Why must a metzora call out, "Tamei! Tamei!"? 13:45 - So people will know to keep away from him. 10. Why is a metzora commanded to dwell in isolation? 13:46 - Since tzara'at is a punishment for lashon harah (evil speech) which divides people, he is isolated measure-for-measure. METZORA 1. When may a metzora not be pronounced tahor? 14:2 - At night. 2. In the midbar, where did a metzora dwell while he was tamei? 14:3 - Outside the three camps. 3. Why does a metzora require birds in the purification process? 14:4 - Tzara'at comes as punishment for lashon harah. The metzora offers birds, who chatter constantly, to atone for his sin of chattering. 4. In the purification process of a metzora, what does the cedar wood symbolize? 14:4 - The cedar is a lofty tree, hinting that tzara'at is a punishment for haughtiness. 5. When the metzora was presented "before Hashem" (14:11) in the Beit Hamikdash, where did he stand? 14:11 - At the gate of Nikanor. 6. Toward what direction does the kohen sprinkle the oil from the metzora's korban? 14:16 - Westward, toward the Holy of Holies. 7. How was having tzara'at in one's house sometimes advantageous? 14:34 - Fearing Jewish conquest, the Amorites hid their valuables in their walls. After the conquest, tzara'at would afflict a house and the Jewish owner would tear down the wall and find the treasure. 8. When a person enters a house that has tzara'at, when do his clothes become tamei? 14:46 - When he remains in the house long enough to eat a small meal. 9. 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? 15:4,5 - Only a type of object that one usually lies or sits upon becomes a transmitter of tumah when a zav sits or lies upon it. A tahor person who subsequently touches the object becomes tamei and the garment he is wearing also becomes tamei. Therefore: a) tamei; b) tahor; c) tamei; d) tahor. 10. What does the Torah mean when it refers to a zav who "has not washed his hands"? 15:11 - One who has not immersed in a mikveh. ===================================== Expert Gemara Coach will help you sharpen your learning skills. All levels. First Session FREE. Convenient telephone learning For details or to schedule a trail session Email: cdcs@actcom.co.il ===================================== If you like this e-mail please share it with a friend. To subscribe to this list please e-mail Parasha-QA-subscribe@ohr.edu To unsubscribe e-mail Parasha-QA-unsubscribe@ohr.edu ===================================== (C) 2001 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.