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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Metzora
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.
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
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.
