Niddah

Found 9 Search results

  1. On Sin and Redemption

    Haftarot: Para

    Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

    When the sins of Am Yisrael are compared to the impurity of the menstruating woman, this is a positive metaphor. It indicates that the sin stems from human nature, and that it is a passing state. The comparison to impurity that stems from contact with death is worse: this impurity is more complicated to shed, and seems to be related to moral corruption. However, just as the Red Heifer has the power to overcome impurity despite our inability to reverse death, so sinners who seemingly have no hope of atonement can be purified by God. The haftara discusses redemption that does not stem from teshuva - and notes that this form of redemption cannot be complete.

  2. The Sequence of the Tzara'at Laws

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    There are two perspectives from which one can gain an understanding of the laws of tum'a and tahara. By exploring the order of the parshiot dealing with these laws from a more general perspective, and then more specifically by examining the structure of every individual parsha.  

  3. Parshat Emor

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 29 minutes

    There are three main instances in the Torah where we are commanded to count towards a particular event: counting seven days in the process from impurity to purity, counting 50 years to yovel, and counting the omer (in our parsha). By examining these three mitzvot we can understand the beauty and uniqueness of the mitzvah of counting, whereby the Torah teaches us important lessons by involving us not only in the ultimate goal but in the process as well. 

  4. Sin and the Metaphor of Impurity

    Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

  5. Haftarat Para and Parshat Ki Tisa

    Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein | 23 minutes

    Parashat Para deals with the issue of tum’at met. The Haftara goes an additional step to compare sin to tuma (impurity) and uses the metaphor of tuma and tahara to relate to the sins and purification process  of Bnei Yisrael. Interestingly, the beginning of the haftara relates not to tumat met, but to nidda.  We compare the two types of impurity found in Vayikra and Bemidbar. We end with a message of hope that relates to the regular Parasha (Ki Tisa)-about the rehabilitation of the relationship between God and Israel after the Sin of the Golden Calf.

  6. Impurity in Life and in Death

    Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

    What is the common denominator linking all the various types of impurity listed in parshiot Tazria- Metzora? Through a close examination of the text we can understand that impurity is caused by the presence of or contact with different manifestations of death. 

  7. Structure of Tazria- Metzora

    HaTanakh.com Staff

  8. R. Yosef Bekhor Shor

    Dr. Avigail Rock

    R. Yosef of Orléans, (northern France) was a 12th-century exegete who has become known through the generation as Ri Bekhor Shor. He was a Tosafist, a student of Rabbeinu Tam, and he was influenced mainly by Rashi’s commentary and the commentaries of Mahari Kara and the Rashbam. Like his predecessors Mahari Kara and Rashbam, he was a member of the peshat school.  It appears that Ri Bekhor Shor forges a path that is a middle way between Rashi and the pursuers of the peshat. These are his major exegetical principles:

    • Ri Bekhor Shor aims to explain the verses without non-biblical information; however, when the derash is appropriate for explaining the peshat and for the general context of verses, or when one may explain it as being in keeping with biblical reality, he will not hesitate to bring a midrash.
    • The Torah does not provide superfluous information. All information provided is in fact essential.
    • Verses should be explained within their specific context, a reverse method to the foreshadowing principle of Rashbam.
    • Verses should be explained based on understanding the state of mind of the human actors.
    • Verses should be explained according to the reality of the biblical era.
    • God directs the world in a natural way as much as possible, and the use made of miracles is the absolute minimum.
    • An expansive and consistent approach to the question of the reasons of mitzvot.
    • In the Peshat vs. Halakha discussion, Ri Bekhor Shor is closer to Rashi’s approach with exception in which he explains the verses according to a Peshat that differs from Halakha.
    • A tendency to counteract Christian interpretations of the Torah.

  9. Parshat Metzora Part 5: Unnatural And Natural Female Emissions

    Shani Taragin | 14 minutes

    This podcast continues with the physiological emissions that render a person impure.

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com