YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Tazria
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Hana Bat Haim
Tumah usually involves two objects. One is the source of the tumah which has the potential to bring tumah to another object (m’tamei). The recipient of the tumah is mitamei. If one looks at the halachot relating to either side of the equation, he will see that there is more tumah where there is more kedusha.
Corpses are a primary source of tumah. If it is the corpse of an animal, there is a serious level of tumah (av hatumah). If the corpse is human, then there is an even higher level of tumah (avi avot hatumah). The source of the tumah is actually not something defiled but is a physical object which has lost some of its kedusha. As dignified as a corpse is and as much as we must safeguard its dignity, when the soul leaves the body, the body’s spiritual level goes down. A man and a woman become tamei, respectively, when those elements that have the potential to bring new life, and with it more kedusha, are lost to the body. Even when there is a happy ending to the story and new life is created (i.e. birth), the body from where the life emanated (the mother) is bereft of that life, which will now function as a separate entity. So, the object which is m’tameh is not evil or defiled but represents a step down from a past level or potential. Stepping down is a spiritual danger, and those that come in contact must take steps not to be adversely affected by the relative letdown.
Regarding recipients of tumah, we find a similar phenomenon. Regular objects become tamei only when they can become a sheni l’tumah (twice removed). Lower than that, the tumah is not "registered." But terumah can become a shlishi l’tumah (three times removed) and kodashim (sacrifices) can even become a r’vi’ee l’ tumah (four times removed). This is because the more holy something is, the more sensitive and susceptible it is. Following the aforementioned thesis, we can explain as follows. The more potential something has, the more spiritually dangerous it is when its full potential is not actualized. The Torah warns us to make sure that not even the slightest level of a spiritual letdown should infiltrate those things that should remain on the highest level.
As we address the main form of tumah that our parshiyot discuss, we can see that the same applies by it. Tzara’at is a painful but crucial warning system of the presence of spiritual deterioration. This system was a special gift to Bnei Yisrael to help them maintain their level. While different forms of leprosy have precedent in the natural world, the tzara’at of the house and the clothes are full miracles (Ramban on Vayikra 13:47). Therefore, only in Eretz Yisrael do the houses have the spiritual potential that would enable such laws of tumah to exist. Let us strive to maximize the potential of our homes in Eretz Yisrael by using them virtuously as the base for Torah, mitzvot, and chesed.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
