For the Week of March 23rd – March 29th II Adar 21– II Adar 27; parasha Tazria

We would like people to be aware of some of the Jewish things and thoughts taking place in Harrison NY.

At Noon on Sunday March 30th there will be a demonstration of how matzo is made.  It is a hands on activity for children (but adults are also welcome).  There is no charge for attending the event but registration is necessary.  To register please send an e-mail with the number of people who wish to attend to WM1066@hotmail.com with the subject line “Matzo Factory Event.”

Those are some of the Jewish things taking place in Harrison, here is a Jewish thought.

This week we read the Tora portion (“parasha”) known as “Tazria” (Leviticus 12:1-13:59).  There are several valuable lessons we can learn from this week’s parasha. 

The portion of Tazria discusses laws concerning the special affliction called “Tzara'at.”  This ailment is often mistranslated as leprosy.  Tzara’at is not leprosy.  It a spiritual malady.  The Talmud, in the Tractate of Arakin on page 16a, traces it to seven different sins.  Those sins are: slander, the shedding of blood, a vain oath, incest, arrogance, robbery and envy.  However, we generally associate the affliction with “Lashon HaRa”, “Evil Speech.  That is to say tale bearing or gossip.  A person who has this affliction is called a “Metzora.”  The Rabbis point out that the word Metzora sounds like the three words “motzi shem ra.”  This literally means: “brings forth an evil name.”  Phrased differently, it means “one who speaks evil of another.”  In the Book of Exodus we read that when Moshe stood before the burning bush one of the signs G-d, “HaShem” gave Moshe was to temporarily cover his arm with tzara'at.  This occurred just after Moshe said that the Children of Israel (“Beni Israel”) would not listen if he told them that he was sent by HaShem to take Beni Israel out of Egypt.  Later we will read that when Miriam said something unfavorable about Moshe HaShem afflicted her with tzara'at.  Moshe and Miriam both spoke ill of people and so were punished even though they had good intentions.  Part of the cure of a Metzora involved isolation.  He could not stay in his home and could not associate with other people.  This helps the person focus on the reality that gossip, even if well intentioned, can make people not want to associate with one another.  While the affliction of Tzara'at is no longer with us, according to some due to are fallen spiritual status, the affliction of gossip unfortunately still is with us, now made worse by the very modern technology that also allows you to be reading this blog.

The Young Israel of Harrison, New York (YIOH) is a Modern Orthodox synagogue offering an intimate religious and communal experience.  Sabbath morning services begin at 9 am, mincha/maariv services on Friday and Saturday vary with sundown, and services on Sunday morning are held at 8 am.  For those who would like more information or would like to spend Shabbos in the area, visit the Young Israel of Harrison’s website at www.yioh.org or email Yiohnews@aol.com

Rabbi Bienenfeld gives weekly Talmud and Chumash classes at 7:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively.  Please check the calendar posted on YIOH.org to confirm the schedule.

© W. Fraenkel 2014