Tum'ah and Tahara

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1. Childbirth - Tum'a and Circumcision on the Eighth Day

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   This article examines the placement of the laws of the birthing mother (Yoledet), the reason that circumcision is on the eighth day, and the relationship between the two sets of law.

2. The One Who Mourns For Himself

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   This article examines the impurity and process of purification for the metzora. The laws of the metzora are reminiscent of the laws of mourning; he "buries" himself outside of the camp and mourns for himself. The purification process is a rebirth, symbolizing a brand new entry into the world and a desire to return to life.

3. The Repeated List of Forbidden Sexual Relations

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Why does the Torah repeat the list of prohibited sexual relations twice? This lesson explains why the episodes discussing prohibited relations belong to two different spheres - the sphere of purity and impurity, and the sphere of sanctification and secular. This distinction clarifies the difference in content and formulation.

4. 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.

5. Of Death and Defilement (Audio)

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 19 minutes

   Tazria, a parsha dealing with various cases of impurity as they pertain to the Mikdash, may appear to begin an interruption - why doesn't “Acharei Mot” come right after Shemini, the preceding (and related) narrative? This shiur argues that Tazria is a natural continuation to Shemini, presenting the proper way for priests to engage with God, tum'a and tahara and encounters with death.

6. Atoning for Impurity?

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 15 minutes

   Parshat Metzora focuses on tzaraat, an extremely severe type of tum'a, with a detailed purification process. By seeing what the Metzora (the affected person) undergoes to remove, we can understand what he is removing and what the significance is of “kappara” (atonement) in a case which is apparently beyond one's control.

7. Be Holy, For I Hashem Am Holy

   Rabbi Yair Kahn | 17 minutes

   This shiur presents various ideas about what it means to "be holy" according to Parshat Kedoshim, and why the command needed to involve gathering the whole congregation of Israelites together (by exploring other instances of gathering the whole congregation). The content of the parasha is analyzed to shed some light on the above questions.

8. The Camp and the Chariot (Audio)

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman |

   This shiur explores concepts of sanctity and defilement (tuma'h ve-tahara), and compares their various appearances in the Torah. The placement of the tribal standards (Degalim) around the Mishkan is analyzed, and compared with the “Divine Chariot” vision of Ezekiel, where the keruvim (cherubim) surround the Divine Celestial Throne.

9. The Living Dead

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutes

   In this shiur, we look at Parshiyyot Tazriya and Metzora in the wider context of the world of tum’a and tahara – purity and impurity. We explore some philosophical ideas behind the laws and rituals of tum’a and tahara (such as found in the Kuzari and in Rav Soloveichik’s Halakhic Man) to enable us to appreciate the meaning behind these abstract concepts.

10. The Finger of God

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 41 minutes

    How do we understand the affliction of tzara'at? Why are the laws of tzara'at placed in the middle of Sefer Vayikra? By closely reading the text and noticing parallels in the story of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, we can learn about the uniqueness of tzara'at as a supernatural affliction that comes from God, and the role of the Kohanim in distinguishing between tum'ah and tahara.   

11. 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.  

12. The Reasons Behind Tzara'at and Other Forms of Tum'a

    Rabbi Elchanan Samet

    What can we learn from the structure of the verses detailing the laws of tzara'at? What is tzara'at? What is the significance of the tum'a of tzara'at? We can attempt to answer these questions utilizing an exploration of the general significance of all the tum'ot in the Torah as a basis for discussing the tum'a of tzara'at specifically.

13. Taharat HaMetzora

    Rabbi Ezra Bick

    What does the status "tamei" imply?  By closely examining the purification process of the metzora, we notice direct parallels with the atonement process on Yom Kippur, and identify three distinct stages in the purification of a metzora - kappara, tahara, and chinuch. Through a close reading of the text we can understand that tum'a is a state which interferes and prevents the relationship of a man with the sacred, with kedusha, and with God. 

14. Of Death and Defilement

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

    Why did the Torah place the laws of tum'a and tahara in between the stories of the deaths of the sons of Aharon and the laws of entering the Mishkan? Why do the laws of the metzora directly follow the story of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu? It is possible that the answer to this question lies in the mutual exclusivity of the concepts of holiness and tum'a, and the link between tum'a and death. 

15. Tum'a - Metaphysical Pollution or Halachic Construct

    Rabbi Daniel Wolf

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ד | |

    Is the state of “Tum’a” merely a post-Sinaitic halakhic construct, or is it something else, something that existed earlier? We focus on the passage of Yaakov’s instructions to purify the camp after his sons’ revenge on Shechem (in the book of Bereisheet), as well as the “three days” before the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the commandment about the Parah Aduma (Red Heifer), to better understand the concepts of Tum’a and Tahara. Statements of Haza”l, various midrashic literature, commentary, Targum, the Kuzari, and other Jewish sources aid us in our analysis of the Biblical passages and in our quest to define and understand Tum’a and Tahara.

16. Why is Para Aduma Called "Chuka"?

    Rabbi Ezra Bick | 36 minutes

     We examine the commentary of Ramban on the beginning of Parashat Hukkat about the strange and perplexing aspects of the “Para Aduma” ritual. We explore ideas in the words of Ramban about the nature of tum’a, the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah, and explanations for the apparent anomalous sacrificing outside the Mikdash, fraught with the dangers of crossing the fine line between Avodat Hashem and Avoda Zara in this setting.  Ramban argues that tum’a is life being overcome by sin, and through the Para Aduma ritual, one drives out sin by reconnecting with God, the Source of purity.

17. What is the Difference between Purity and Atonement?

    Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Brandes

18. Yom Kippur in Tanakh

    HaTanakh.com Staff

19. Historical Uniqueness and Daily Service

    Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein

    In order to better understand the nature of Chanuka, let us examine the original “Chanuka” – the dedication of the Mishkan in the desert. The chanukat ha-Mishkan entailed daily sacrifices as well as a public lighting of the menora by Aharon. Through a comparison of this event and the holiday of Chanuka, we emphasize what is special about both events – the significance not only of what we do, but how and why we do it. We learn of the significance of purity of intention, perfection of performance, and integrity of mind and spirit. This message has many other expressions in our world and in Tanakh, but on Chanuka, the focus is sharper. The message of quality is pure and distilled. Consequently, it is not only a historical event to be reenacted or victory to be celebrated, but the occasion for tahara, for kedusha, to raise the level, the performance and expectations of how we understand avodat Hashem.

20. Parshat Shemini Part 6: Summary And Some Philosophy

    Shani Taragin | 21 minutes

    This podcast discusses the textual, structural and philosophical points pertaining to the laws addressed to Am Yisrael regarding purity and impurity, both in Parshat Shemini and in the upcoming Parashot as well.

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

21. Sefer Vayikra: Archaeology

    Nachliel Selavan | 19 minutes

    This is an analysis of the Archaeology of the Sefer Vayikra by Nachliel Selavan.

    Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.