Parsha Q&A - Parshas Tazria - Metzora

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Parsha Q&A

Parshas Tazria - Metzora

For the week ending 1 Iyar 5759 / 16 & 17 April 1999

Contents:
  • Parsha Questions
  • I Did Not Know That!
  • Recommended Reading List
  • Answers to Parsha Questions
  • Back issues of Parsha Q&A
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    Parsha Questions

    Answers | Contents

    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 korbanos. What are they?
    3. Who declares whether an affliction of tzara'as 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'as?
    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'as 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?

    METZORA

    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 Beis 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'as in one's house sometimes advantageous?
    8. When a person enters a house that has tzara'as, 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 nesek-affliction he shall not shave..." (13:33)

    When a nesek-affliction, a particular form of tzara'as on a person's hair, requires that he shave, the actual nesek 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'as

    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 korbanos. What are they?
      12:6 - An olah and a chatas.

    3. Who declares whether an affliction of tzara'as 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'as?
      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'as of the scalp or beard area?
      13:30 - Nesek.

    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'as 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'as 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'as is a punishment for haughtiness.

    5. When the metzora was presented "before Hashem" (14:11) in the Beis 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'as in one's house sometimes advantageous?
      14:34 - Fearing Jewish conquest, the Amorites hid their valuables in their walls. After the conquest, tzara'as 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'as, 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.
    Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
    General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
    Production Design: Eli Ballon
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