* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshas Metzora For the week ending 8 Nisan 5755 7 & 8 April 1995 ======================================================================= Parsha Questions 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 the metzora require birds in the purification process? 4. In the purification process of a metzora, what does the cedar wood symbolize? 5. During the purification process, the metzora is required to shave his hair. Which hair must he shave? 6. What is unique about the Chatas and the Asham offered by the metzora? 7. In the Beis Hamikdash, when the metzora was presented "before Hashem" (14:11), where did he stand? 8. Where was the Asham of the metzora slaughtered? 9. How was having tzara'as in one's house sometimes advantageous? 10. When a house is suspected as having tzara'as, what is its status prior to the inspection by a Kohen? 11. What happens to the vessels that are in a house found to have tzara'as? 12. Which type of vessels cannot be made tahor after they become tamei? 13. Where were stones afflicted with tzara'as discarded ? 14. When a house is suspected of having tzara'as, a Kohen commands that the affected stones be replaced and the house plastered. What is the law if the tzara'as: a) returns and spreads; b) does not return; c) returns, but does not spread? 15. When a person enters a house that has tzara'as, when do his clothes become tamei? 16. What is the status of a man who is zav (sees a flow): a) two times or two consecutive days; b) three times or 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 mikveh to purify himself? 20. What is the status of someone who experiences a one time flow? Bonus QUESTION: Since the signs of a tzara'as are easily recognized, why is the person's status dependent only upon the word and declaration of the Kohen? I Did Not Know That! "And he (the metzora) shall offer it as an Asham (guilt offering)..." (14:12) An Asham is offered when one has misused holy possessions. The metzora brings an Asham because he misused his faculty of speech. Sforno ======================================================================== Answers to this Week's Questions All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. 14:2 - At night. 2. 14:3 - Outside the three camps. 3. 14:4 - Tzara'as comes as a punishment for Lashon Harah. Therefore, the Torah requires the metzora to offer birds, who chatter constantly, to atone for his sin of chattering. 4. 14:4 - The cedar is a lofty tree. It alludes to the fact that tzara'as comes as a punishment for haughtiness. 5. 14:9 - Any visible collection of hair on the body. 6. 14:10 - They require n'sachim (drink offerings). 7. 14:11 - At the gate of Nikanor. 8. 14:13 - On the northern side of the Mizbe'ach. 9. 14:34 - The Amorites concealed treasures in the walls of their houses. After the conquest of the Land, tzara'as would afflict these houses. The Jewish owner would tear down the house and find the treasures. 10. 14:36 - It is tahor. 11. 14:36 - They become tamei. 12. 14:36 - Earthenware vessels. 13. 14:40 - In places where tahor objects were not handled. 14. a) 14:44-45 - It is called "tzara'as mam'eres," and the house must be demolished; b) 14:48 - the house is pronounced tahor; c) 14:44 - The house must be demolished. 15. 14:46 - When he remains in the house long enough to eat a small meal. 16. 15:2 - a) He is tamei; b) he is tamei and is also required to bring a Korban. 17. 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 on it. A tahor person who subsequently touches the object becomes tomei and the clothes he is wearing are also tme'im. Therefore: a) tamei; b) tahor; c) tamei; d) tahor. 18. 15:11 - One who has not immersed in a mikveh. 19. 15:13 - After seven consecutive days without a flow. 20. 15:32 - He is tamei until evening. Bonus ANSWER: Tzara'as is the punishment for Lashon Harah. A person who speaks Lashon Harah doesn't realize the power of speech. The Torah teaches this to the metzora by giving the Kohen the ability to declare, with a single word, that the person is tamei. Ohel Yaakov ======================================================================= SUBSCRIBE! to one of the many weekly "lists" published by Ohr Somayach Institutions: weekly - Summary of the weekly Torah portion. dafyomi - Rav Mendel Weinbach's insights into the Daf Yomi. ask - The Rabbi answers YOUR questions on Judaism. parasha-qa - Challenging questions on the weekly Torah portion. os-special - All the SPECIAL publications produced by Ohr Somayach. os-alum - "b'Yachad" - Ohr Somayach's Electronic Alumni Newsletter. There is NEVER a charge for any of the above lists (though your local information provider, such as AOL, Prodigy or CompuServe, might charge a nominal fee). 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