* PARSHA Q&A * In-Depth Questions on the Parsha and Rashi's commentary. Parshat Tazria For the week ending 3 Nissan 5760 / 7 & 8 April 2000 ================================== PARSHA QUESTIONS 1. When does a woman who has given birth to a son go to the mikveh? 2. After a woman gives birth, she is required to offer two types of offerings. Which are they? 3. What animal does the woman offer as a chatat? 4. Which of these offerings makes her tahor (ritual purity)? 5. Which of the sacrifices does the woman offer first, the olah or the chatat? 6. Who determines whether a person is a metzora tamei (person with ritually impure tzara'at) or is tahor? 7. If the kohen sees that the tzara'at has spread after one week, how does he rule? 8. What disqualifies a kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of tzara'at? 9. Why is the appearance of tzara'at on the tip of one of the 24 "limbs" that project from the body usually unable to be examined? 10. On which days is a kohen not permitted to give a ruling on tzara'at? 11. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow (e.g., the head or beard), what color hair is indicative of ritual impurity? 12. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow, what color hair is indicative of purity? 13. If the kohen intentionally or unintentionally pronounces a tamei person "tahor," what is that person's status? 14. What signs of mourning must a metzora display? 15. Why must a metzora call out, "Tamei! Tamei!"? 16. Where must a metzora dwell? 17. Why is a metzora commanded to dwell in isolation? 18. What sign denotes tzara'at in a garment? 19. What must be done to a garment that has tzara'at? 20. If after washing a garment the signs of tzara'at disappear entirely, how is the garment purified? ================================== BONUS QUESTION Question: Why do people no longer contract tzara'at? ================================== I DID NOT KNOW THAT! Tzara'at cannot afflict houses in Jerusalem. * Yoma 12a ================================== RECOMMENDED READING LIST 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 ================================== ANSWERS TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated 1. When does a woman who has given birth to a son go to the mikveh? 12:2 - At the end of seven days. 2. After a woman gives birth, she is required to offer two types of offerings. Which are they? 12:6 - An olah and a chatat. 3. What animal does the woman offer as a chatat? 12:6 - A tor (turtle dove) or a ben yona (young pigeon). 4. Which of these offerings makes her tahor (ritual purity)? 12:7 - The chatat. 5. Which of the sacrifices does the woman offer first, the olah or the chatat? 12:8 - The chatat. 6. Who determines whether a person is a metzora tamei (person with ritually impure tzara'at) or is tahor? 13:2 - A kohen. 7. If the kohen sees that the tzara'at has spread after one week, how does he rule? 13:5 - The person is tamei. 8. What disqualifies a kohen from being able to give a ruling in a case of tzara'at? 13:12 - Poor vision. 9. Why is the appearance of tzara'at on the tip of one of the 24 "limbs" that project from the body usually unable to be examined? 13:14 - The tzara'at as a whole must be seen at one time. Since these parts are angular, they cannot be seen at one time. 10. On which days is a kohen not permitted to give a ruling on tzara'at? 13:14 - During the festivals; and ruling on a groom during the seven days of feasting after the marriage. 11. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow (e.g., the head or beard), what color hair is indicative of ritual impurity? 13:29 - Golden. 12. In areas of the body where collections of hair grow, what color hair is indicative of purity? 13:37 - Any color other than golden. 13. If the kohen intentionally or unintentionally pronounces a tamei person "tahor," what is that person's status? 13:37 - He remains tamei. 14. What signs of mourning must a metzora display? 13:45 - He must tear his garments, let his hair grow wild, and cover his lips with his garment. 15. Why must a metzora call out, "Tamei! Tamei!"? 13:45 - So people will know to keep away from him. 16. Where must a metzora dwell? 13:46 - Outside the camp in isolation. 17. Why is a metzora commanded to dwell in isolation? 13:46 - Since tzara'at is a punishment for lashon hara (evil speech), which creates a rift between people, the Torah punishes measure for measure by placing a division between him and others. 18. What sign denotes tzara'at in a garment? 13:49 - A dark green or dark red discoloration. 19. What must be done to a garment that has tzara'at? 13:52 - It must be burned 20. If after washing a garment the signs of tzara'at disappear entirely, how is the garment purified? 13:58 - Through immersion in a mikveh. ================================== ANSWER TO BONUS QUESTION QUESTION: Why do people no longer contract tzara'at? ANSWER: When a person commits certain sins, a spiritual impurity occurs. There is a spark of holiness within the person that cannot tolerate sin. At one time, the holiness within the person would reject this impurity by pushing it to the surface and the skin eruption of tzara'at appeared. As time went on, the level of holiness among people decreased, so that a person no longer has the power to reject the spiritual impurities caused by sin, and tzara'at ceased. * Alshich ================================== If you like this e-mail please share it with a friend. ================================== Do you know about ALL of Ohr Somayach's e-mail lists? 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