YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
- Tazria
At first glance, this is almost a trivial task, as Chazal teach us that the main cause of tzara’at is lashon hara, one of the most basic interpersonal sins (Arachin 16b). We can sharpen the picture, though, by looking at the life of King Uziya, one of history’s most prominent lepers. Uziya entered the Beit Hamikdash to offer ketoret (incense) on the altar, which was forbidden for him as a non-kohen, despite rebuke from the kohanim (Divrei Hayamim II, 26:19). This also hints at a connection to Nadav and Avihu, whose story bookends the parasha of tzara’at, in that they each brought ketoret improperly and were severely punished. The parasha that follows tzara’at deals with the service of the kohen gadol. Prominent among his tasks was bringing ketoret, and Uziya did not give sufficient deference to him.
The period of Uziya was one of the brightest points in our history, in some ways seeming like the days of Mashiach. It included the following elements of success (see Tzofnat Yeshayahu, p. 162-4). 1): The service of Hashem was largely kept in the palace and among the people; 2) All of the Jewish people were living in Eretz Yisrael; 3) The king was from the House of David; 4) The king won all the battles he fought; 5) The boundaries of Eretz Yisrael were fully in the hands of Bnei Yisrael (albeit broken up among two kingdoms); 6) Eretz Yisrael was blooming from an agricultural perspective; 7) Am Yisrael was respected throughout the world; 8) The Beit Hamikdash was standing.
So why, in these ideal times, was King Uziya afflicted with tzara’at? The ills of this time are discussed by two prophets: Amos, throughout his sefer, and Yeshayahu in ch. 1-6, as Chazal tell us that the sefer begins at the time that Uziya was stricken.
Both prophets describe social corruption that festered and spread throughout the nation, from north to south. This corruption had a corrosive effect, both in Judea and in the Northern Kingdom. In the midst of a period of plenty, the wealthy were not satiated but were hungry for more and more, including by taking the little that was left in the hands of the weak. The judicial system was also compromised, and by and large, it supported the powerful and the "elite" against the weak and lowly. The judges, officers, and the rich, buoyed by the support of the intellectual elite, were responsible for this corruption (see Yeshayahu 1:23). This, then, is the reason that Uziya was punished with tzara’at, the punishment of the sins between man and his fellow man.
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
