May 3, 2025
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
This week we read 2 parshiot: Tazria and Metzora. They talk about the purification process for a woman after she gives birth, which is different if she has a boy or a girl. On the eighth day after the birth of a boy, he has a Brit Milah. After this time, the woman brings a korban, goes to the Mikvah, and becomes Tahor again.
Next, we learn about Tzara'at, a special type of spiritual impurity. Tzara'at was a punishment for certain sins, like Lashon Hara. Tzara'at could appear on a person’s skin, clothing, or even in their house. If someone notices a strange rash, bruise, or discoloration on their skin, they must go to the
ONE BIG IDEA
A person who becomes impure from Tzara’at, a skin condition often caused by speaking LashonHara, is sent away from the restofthecommunity.Why?Because Lashon Hara cancause arguments,hurtfeelings,and even break relationships. Lashon Hara separates people. By removing the Metzora, theTorahshowsustheseriousconsequences of Lashon Hara. The cure for Lashon Hara is not just about physical healing but about repairing the harm we causewith our words. We should think carefully about how we speak and try to use our words to bring people closer together,not push them apart.
Kohen. The Kohen will examine it and decide whether or not it is Tzara'at. If it is, the person must leave their home and live alone for seven days. During this time, they must announce that they are Tamei to anyone who comes near.
If a person sees a red or green spot on their clothes, they must take it to the Kohen. If the Kohen says it is Tzara'at, the clothing is burned. If not, the clothes are washed and become Tahor again.
Homes can get Tzara'at too! If the walls or stones in a house become discolored, turning red or green, the Kohen must check it. If it’s Tzara'at, the house must be left empty for up to three weeks. After that, the discolored stones either go back to normal, are removed, or the house might have to be torn down. The process to purify the house is very similar to the process for a person with Tzara'at.
Finally, the Torah explains other ways a person can become impure and how they can become pure again. For most of these cases, a person must go to a Mikvah to purify themselves. Sometimes, they also need to bring a sacrifice to complete the purification process.
Candle-lighting: 7:34pm
Havdalah: 8:34pm
allah: 5:25pm
PARSHA STATS DID YOU KNOW…?
Mitzvot ..............................20 (7 Do’s, 13 Don’ts)
Lines in the Torah ..............287
Pesukim .............................157
Words ................................2284
Letters................................8634
Year(s)................................2449
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name: ______________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
The date of Yom Haatzmaut is the 5th of Iyyar which is today (Shabbat). But we just celebrated it on Thursday, which was the 3rd day of Iyyar, because we didn’t want to risk violating Shabbat in order to celebrate. That’s what the Chief Rabbis in Israel decided should happenwhenYHfallsonShabbat.Did you know that the actual declaration of the Stateof Israel was supposedto be on Friday night, but they made it earlier so that it wouldn’t be on Shabbat?
QUESTIONS
1. True or false: A house can have Tzaraat.
2. Why must a person with Tzara’at move away from everyone else?
3. What is the date of Yom Haatzmaut? Did we celebrate it on that day this year? Why or why not?
4. How many parshiot do we read this Shabbat?
5. If clothes get a strange color but the Kohen says it’s not Tzara’at, can the clothes be worn again?