[Par-reg] Tazria - Metzora

Menachem Leibtag tsc at bezeqint.net
Thu Apr 27 08:49:03 EDT 2006


This week's TSC shiurim are dedicated in honor of the engagement of 

  my student Shoshana Chanales - to Doni Moskovits !

 

*************************************************************

     THE TANACH STUDY CENTER [http://www.tanach.org]

          In Memory of Rabbi Abraham Leibtag

     Shiurim in Chumash & Navi by Menachem Leibtag

*************************************************************

 

                   PARSHAT TAZRIA / METZORA

 

     Anyone who understands the opening pasuk of Parshat

Acharei Mot immediately realizes that this entire Parsha

belongs in Parshat Shmini!  Why then do Parshiot

Tazria/Metzora 'interrupt' this logical sequence?

     Should this opening statement sound a bit complicated,

don't worry; we'll begin this week's shiur by first explaining

this question. Then, our analysis of the Parsha in search for

an answer, will also help us arrive at a more comprehensive

understanding of the structure and theme of Sefer Vayikra.

 

INTRODUCTION

     Recall that the first half of Parshat Shmini included the

story of tragic death of Aharon's two sons - Nadav & Avihu

(see 10:1-9). Recall as well that Parshat ACHAREI MOT (several

chapters later) opens with God's commandment to Moshe & Aharon

in the aftermath of that event:

   "And God spoke to Moshe and Aharon AFTER THE DEATH of the

   two sons of Aharon..." (16:1)

 

     Hence, it would have been more logical for the Torah to

include this commandment in Parshat Shmini - immediately after

the story of their death.  [In other words, Vayikra chapter 16

should follow immediately after chapter 10!]

     However, we find instead that chapters 11 thru 15,

detailing numerous laws concerning various types of "tumah"

[spiritual uncleanliness], form an 'interruption' to this

logical flow.

 

     To explain why, Part One of our shiur will explore the

thematic relationship between these laws of "tumah" and the

story of Nadav & Avinu's death. In Part Two, we will build an

outline that will summarize these laws of "tumah" that will

help us appreciate their detail.

 

PART ONE - WHAT DID NADAV & AVIHU DO WRONG?

      As you are probably aware, there are numerous opinions

concerning what Nadav & Avihu did wrong.  The reason for this

difference of opinions is simple; the Torah only tells us WHAT

they did, but does not explain WHY they were punished.

Therefore, each commentator looks for a clue either within

that pasuk (see 10:1) or in the 'neighboring' psukim in search

of that reason.

   [For example, the word "aish zarah" in 10:1 implies that

   Nadav & Avihu may have sinned by offering the wrong type of

   fire. Alternately, the 'parshia' that follows discusses

   laws that forbid the kohanim to become intoxicated (see

   10:8-11), thus implying that they may have been drunk. (See

   Rashi, Ramban, Rashbam, Ibn Ezra, Chizkuni, etc.) In fact,

   each commentary on this pasuk is so convincing that it is

   truly hard to choose between them.]

   

     However, in contrast to that discussion concerning what

specifically Nadav & Avihu did wrong (and why), our shiur will

focus instead on the more general connection between this

incident and the overall structure (and theme) of Sefer

Vayikra.

 

FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS

     Even though the Torah does not tell us specifically WHY

Nadav & Avihu were punished, the pasuk that describes their

sin does provide us with a very general explanation:

   "va'yikrvu aish zara - ASHER LO TZIVAH otam" - and they

   offered a 'foreign fire' that GOD HAD NOT COMMANDED THEM

   (see 10:1)

 

     However, finding this phrase "asher lo tzivah otam"

should not surprise us.  In relation to the construction of

the Mishkan, we found this phrase repeated numerous times in

our study of Parshiot Vayakhel & Pekudei.

   [To refresh your memory, just note how "ka'asher tzivah

  Hashem et Moshe" [As God has commanded Moshe] concludes just

  about every "parshia" in Parshat Pekudei. See not only

  35:29; 36:1; & 36:5 but also 39:1,5,7,21,26,29,31,32,42,43 &

  40:16,19,21,23,25,27,29,32!]

 

     Furthermore, this phrase first appeared at the very

introduction of the Mishkan unit that began in Parshat

Vayakhel:

   "And Moshe said to the entire congregation of Israel

   [EYDAH] ZEH HA'DAVAR - ASHER TZIVAH HASHEM - This is what

   GOD HAS COMMANDED saying..."

                   (see 35:1,4, see also 35:1)

 

     Finally, thus far in Sefer Vayikra we have found this

same phrase when the Torah describes the story of the

Mishkan's dedication. First of all, in the the seven day

"miluim" ceremony:

   "And Moshe said to the entire EYDAH [gathered at the Ohel

   Moed/8:3] - ZEH HA'DAVAR - This is what GOD HAS COMMANDED

   to do..."  (Vayikra 8:4-5, see also 8:9,13,17,21,36.)

     And in Moshe Rabeinu's opening explanation of the special

korbanot that were to be offered on Yom ha'Shmini:

   "And Moshe said: ZEH HA'DAVAR - THIS is what GOD HAS

   COMMANDED that you do [in order] that His KAVOD [Glory] can

   appear upon you [once again]..." (9:6, see also 9:1-5)

 

     Carefully note how Moshe declares this statement in front

of the entire "eydah" [congregation] that has gathered to

watch this ceremony. [See 9:5! Note also in 9:3-4 that Moshe

explains to the people that these korbanot will 'bring back'

the "shchinah".]

     In fact, when you review chapter 9, note how the Torah

concludes each stage of this special ceremony with this same

phrase. [See 9:5,6,7,10,21.]

 

     Therefore, when the Torah uses a very similar phrase to

describe the sin of Nadav & Avihu on that day - "va'yikrvu

aish zara - ASHER LO TZIVAH otam" (see 10:1), we should expect

to find a thematic connection between that sin and this

phrase.

     To find that connection, we must consider the reason why

the Torah uses this phrase so often in its details of the

Mishkan's construction.

 

EMPHASIZING A CRITICAL POINT

     Recall that Nadav & Avihu's sin took place on the 'eighth

day'.  Earlier on that day (as the ceremony was about to

begin) Moshe had gathered the entire nation to explain the

PRECISE details of how the korbanot would be offered on that

day.

  [Note again, the key phrase: "zeh ha'davar asher tzivah

  Hashem..."/ see 9:4-6.]  In fact, Moshe made two very

  similar remarks before the entire nation before the

  Mishkan's original construction (Shmot 35:1,4), and before

  the seven day MILUIM ceremony (see Vayikra 8:1).

 

     Why must Moshe, prior to offering these special korbanot,

first explain the details of these procedures to the entire

congregation who have gathered to watch?

 

     The Torah appears to be sending a very strong message in

regard to the Mishkan. God demands that man must act precisely

in accordance to His command - without changing even a minute

detail.

 

NADAV & AVIHU's PUNISHMENT

     With this background, we can better understand why Nadav

& Avihu are punished.  On the day of its public dedication -

on Yom ha'Shmini - they decide (on their own) to offer KTORET.

Note the Torah's description of their sin:

   "And Nadav & Avi each took their firepan, put in it fire

   and added KTORET, and they brought an alien fire in front

   of God which He HAD NOT COMMANDED THEM ['asher lo tzivah']"

 

     Their fire is considered "aish zarah" [alien] simply

because God 'did not command them' to offer it. [Note the

special emphasis upon the word "lo" according to the "taamei

mikra" (cantillation). See also commentary of Chizkuni on

10:1.

     Nadav & Avihu may have had the purest intentions, but

they made one critical mistake - they did not act according to

the precise protocol that God had prescribed for that day.

Considering that the entire EYDAH gathered at the Ohel Moed

recognize that Nadav & Avihu have strayed from protocol, they

must be punished; for the lesson of that day was exactly this

point - that in the Mishkan man must meticulously follow every

detail of God's command.

   [Note, this interpretation does not negate any of the other

   opinions which suggest that Nadav & Avihu had done

   something else wrong [such as drinking or disrespect of

   Moshe, etc.]. It simply allows us to understand the

   severity their punishment EVEN if they had done nothing

   'wrong' at all (other than doing something that God had not

   commanded). See also commentary of Rashbam on 10:1 in this

   regard.]

 

     From a thematic perspective, their punishment under these

circumstances is quite understandable. Recall the theological

dilemma created by a MISHKAN - a physical representation (or

symbol) of a transcendental God. Once a physical object is

used to represent God, the danger exists that man may treat

that object [and then possibly another object] as a god

itself. On the other hand, without a physical representation

of any sort, it becomes difficult for man to develop any sort

of relationship with God. Therefore, God allows a Mishkan - a

symbol of His Presence - but at the same time, He must

emphasize that He can only be worshiped according to the

precise manner "as God had commanded Moshe".

   [See also Devarim 4:9-24 for the Torah's discussion of a

   similar fear that man may choose his own object to

   represent God [a "tavnit..." / compare Shmot 25:8-9

   "v'akmal".]

 

THE PROBLEM OF 'GOOD INTENTIONS'

     This specific problem of 'following God's command' in

relation to the Mishkan takes on extra meaning on Yom

ha'Shmini.

     Recall our explanation of Aharon's sincere intentions at

the incident of "chet ha'egel", i.e. he wanted to provide Bnei

Yisrael with a physical symbol of God, which they could

worship. [See previous shiur on Ki-tisa.] Despite Aharon's

good intentions, his actions led to a disaster. The sin of

"chet ha'egel" caused KAVOD HASHEM [God's Glory (="shchina"]),

which had appeared to Bnei Yisrael at Har Sinai, to be taken

away (see Shmot 33:1-7).

     Due to Moshe's intervention, God finally allowed His

SHCHINA to return to the MISHKAN that Bnei Yisrael had built.

But when Nadav & Avihu make a mistake (similar to Aharon's sin

at chet ha'egel) on the very day of the Mishkan's dedication,

they must be punished immediately.

   [Not only can this explain why they are so severely

   punished, it may also help us understand their father's

   reaction of: "va'YIDOM Aharon" [and Aharon stood silent]

   (see 10:3).]

 

     Finally, this interpretation can help us understand

Moshe's statement to Aharon: "This is what God had spoken -

B'KROVEI E'KADESH..." (see 10:3). Recall the parallel that we

have discussed many times between Har Sinai and the Mishkan.

At Har Sinai, Bnei Yisrael AND the Kohanim were forewarned:

   "And God told Moshe: Go down and WARN the people that they

   must not break through [the barrier surrounding] Har Sinai,

   lest they gaze at Hashem and perish. The KOHANIM also, who

   COME NEAR HASHEM, must sanctify themselves ("yitkadashu" -

   compare "b'krovei akadesh"/10:3), lest God punish them."

   (Shmot 19:21)

 

     As this inaugural ceremony parallels the events of Har

Sinai, God's original warning concerning approaching Har

Sinai, even for the KOHANIM, now applies to the Mishkan as

well. Therefore, extra caution is necessary, no matter how

good one's intentions may be.  [See similar explanation by

Chizkuni on 10:3!]

 

BACK TO SEFER VAYIKRA

     Now we can return to our original question. In Sefer

Vayikra, the story of the sin of Nadav & Avihu (chapter 10)

introduces an entire set of laws that discuss improper entry

into the Mishkan (chapters 11->15). Then, immediately after

this tragic event, the Sefer discusses the various laws of

"tumah v'tahara", which regulate who is permitted and who is

forbidden to enter the Mishkan. Only after the completion of

this section discussing who can enter the Mishkan, does Sefer

Vayikra return (in chapter 16) to God's command to Aharon

concerning how he himself can properly enter the holiest

sanctum of the Mikdash (on Yom Kippur).

     In Part Two, we discuss the content of this special unit

of mitzvot from chapter 11->15.

 

 

                    PART II

 

 WHO CAN ENTER THE MISHKAN / TUMAH & TAHARA

 

INTRODUCTION

     We often find ourselves lost in the maze of complicated

laws concerning "tumah" and "tahara" which the Torah details

in Parshiot TAZRIA & METZORA. Even though it is not easy to

understand the reasoning for these laws, the internal

structure of these Parshiot is quite easy to follow.

     In Part II, we outline the flow of parshiot from Parshat

Shmini through Metzora and attempt to explain why they are

located specifically in this section of Sefer Vayikra.

 

THE UNIT

     As the following table shows, each of these five chapters

deals with a topic related in one form or manner to "tumah"

(spiritual uncleanliness).

 

     CHAPTER   "TUMAH" CAUSED BY:

       11      eating or touching dead animals

       12      the birth of a child

       13      a "tzaraat" on a person's skin or garment

       14      a "tzaraat" in a house

       15      various emissions from the human body

 

     Not only do these parshiot discuss how one contracts

these various types of TUMAH, they also explain how one can

cleanse himself from these TUMOT, i.e. how he becomes TAHOR.

For the simplest type of TUMAH, one need only wash his

clothing and wait until sundown (see 11:27-28,32,40). For more

severe types of TUMAH, to become TAHOR one must first wait

seven days and then bring a set of special korbanot.

 

     This entire unit follows a very logical progression. It

begins with the least severe type of TUMAH, known as "tumah

erev" - one day TUMAH (lit. until the evening), and then

continues with the more severe type of TUMAH, known as "tumah

shiva", seven day TUMAH. Within each category, the Torah first

explains how one contracts each type of TUMAH, then it

explains the how he becomes TAHOR from it.

     The following OUTLINE summarizes this structure. Note how

each section of the outline concludes with a pasuk that begins

with "zot torat...":

 

          VAYIKRA - CHAPTERS 11 -> 15

          ===========================

 

I. ONE DAY TUMAH - 11:1-47 / "v'tamey ad ha'erev"

      [known as "tumat erev" (or "tumah kala")]

     Person is TAMEY until nightfall/ see

     11:24,25,27,31,32,39] because he ate, touched, or carried

     the dead carcass of:

    A. (11:1-28) forbidden animals and fowl

    B. (29-38) one of the eight "shrutzim" (swarming creatures)

    C. (39-40) permitted animals that died without "shchita"

    D. (41-43) other creeping or swarming creatures.

 

  TAHARA for the above - washing one's clothes/ 11:28,32,40]

 

  FINALE psukim (11:44-47)

 

...ZOT TORAT HA'BHAYMA etc.

 

 

II. SEVEN DAY TUMAH - 12:1-15:33  ("tumah chamurah")

     A. TUMAT YOLEDET - a mother who gave birth (12:1-8)

          1. for a boy  :  7+33=40

          2. for a girl : 14+66=80

 

          TAHARA - korban chatat & olah

    

    ...ZOT TORAT HA'YOLEDET etc.

 

     B. TZARAAT HA'ADAM

          TUMAH / based on inspection by the kohen

               1. on one's body / 13:1-46

               2. on one's "beged" (garment) /13:47-59

          TAHARA / 14:1-32

               1. special sprinkling, then count 7 days

               2. special korban on eighth day

               

       ...ZOT TORAT ASHER BO NEGA TZARAAT etc.

 

     C. TZARAAT HA'BAYIT / 14:33-53

          TUMAH / based on inspection by kohen

          1. the stones of the house itself (14:33-45)

          2. secondary "tumah" (14:46-47) for one who:

               a. enters the house

               b. sleeps in the house

               c. eats in the house

  

         TAHARA - a special sprinkling on the house (14:48-53)

  

  summary psukim for all types of TZARAAT (14:54-57)

  

 ...ZOT HA'TORAH L'CHOL NEGA HA'TZRAAT

 

... ZOT TORAT HA'TZARAAT.

 

 

     D. EMISSIONS FROM THE BODY (chapter 15)

          1. MALE - TUMAT ZAV - an abnormal emission of "zera"

             a. he himself (15:1-4) - 7 days

             b. secondary "tumah" / 1 day (15:5-12)

              for one who either touches what the ZAV is sitting on,

              or sits on an item that the ZAV sits, and other misc.

              cases.

 

        TAHARA (15:13-15)

             waiting 7 days, then washing with "mayim chayim"

             on 8th day a special korban

 

        2. MALE - TUMAT KERI - a normal emission (15:16-18)

               one day "tumah" (until evening)

               requires washing clothing.

 

        3. FEMALE - TUMAT NIDA - a normal flow (15:19-24)

               a. she herself - seven days

               b. secondary "tumah" - one day

                    for person or items that she touches

 

        4. FEMALE - TUMAT ZAVA - an abnormal flow (15:25-30)

               a. she herself and what she sits on - 7 days

               b. secondary "tumah" for someone who touches

                 her or something which she is sitting on.

      

      TAHARA -

               waiting seven days...

               on 8th day a special korban

      

      A FINALE and summary psukim (15:31-33)

 

...ZOT TORAT HA'ZAV etc.

 

================================

 

ABOUT THE OUTLINE

 

     I recommend that you review this outline as you study the

Parsha. Note that even though the details are very

complicated, the overall structure is actually quite simple.

 

     Note also how the Torah summarizes each section with a

phrase beginning with ZOT TORAT... - this is the procedure (or

ritual) for... [See the previous shiur on Parshat Tzav/Parah

in which we discussed the meaning of the word TORAH in Sefer

Vayikra.]  The repetition of key phrases such as these is

often helpful towards identifying the internal structure of

parshiot in Chumash.

 

     Our division of the outline into TWO sections, ONE-DAY

tumah and SEVEN-DAY tumah may at first appear to be a bit

misleading for we also find many cases of one day tumah in the

second section. However, the cases of one-day TUMAH in the

second section are quite different for they are CAUSED by a

person who had first become TAMEY for seven days. Therefore,

we have defined them as 'secondary' TUMAH in that section.

   [TUMAT KERI (15:16-18) may be another exception since it is

   an independent one-day TUMAH, however it could be

   considered a sub-category within the overall framework of

   TUMAT ZAV.]

    [See also further iyun section for a discussion why the

     one-day TUMAH section includes KASHRUT laws.]

 

WHY THE INTERRUPTION?

     Now that we have established that chapters 11->15 form a

distinct unit, which discusses the laws of TUMAH & TAHARA; we

can return to our original question - Why does this unit

interrupt the natural flow from Parshat Shmini (chapter 10) to

Parshat Acharei Mot (chapter 16)?

     The concluding psukim of this unit can provide us with a

possible explanation.

 

     As we have noted in our outline, this entire unit

contains an important FINALE pasuk:

   "V'HIZARTEM ET BNEI YISRAEL M'TUMATAM... And you shall put

   Bnei Yisrael on guard [JPS - see further iyun regarding

   translation of "vhizartem"] against their TUMAH, LEST THEY

   DIE through their TUMAH by defiling My MISHKAN which is

   among them."  (see 15:31)

 

     This pasuk connects the laws of TUMAH & TAHARA to the

laws of the Mishkan. Bnei Yisrael must be careful that should

they become TAMEY, they must not ENTER the Mishkan.  In fact,

the primary consequence for one who has become TAMEY is the

prohibition that he cannot enter the MIKDASH complex. There is

no prohibition against becoming TAMEY, rather only a

prohibition against entering the Mishkan should he be TAMEY.

 

     Hence, the entire TAHARA process as well is only

necessary for one who wishes to enter the Mishkan. If there is

no Mishkan, one can remain TAMEY his entire life with no other

consequence (see further iyun section).

 

     With this background, we can suggest a common theme for

the first 16 chapters of Sefer Vayikra - the ability of Bnei

Yisrael to enter the Mishkan, to come closer to God.

 

     Let's explain:

     The first section of Sefer Vayikra, chapters 1->7,

explains HOW and WHEN the individual can bring a korban and

HOW they are offered by the kohen. The next section, chapters

8->10, records the special Mishkan dedication ceremony, which

prepared Bnei Yisrael and the Kohanim for using and working in

the Mishkan. As this ceremony concluded with the death of

Nadav & Avihu for improper entry into the Mishkan (when

offering the "ktoret zara"), Sefer Vayikra continues with an

entire set of commandments concerning TUMAH & TAHARA, chapters

11->15, which regulate who can and cannot ENTER THE MISHKAN.

This unit ends with laws of Yom Kippur, which describe the

procedure of how the "kohen gadol" (high priest) can enter the

most sacred domain of the Mishkan - the Kodesh K'doshim.

     Even though these laws of TUMAH & TAHARA may have been

given to Moshe at an earlier or later time, once again, we

find that Sefer Vayikra prefers thematic continuity over

chronological order (see shiur on Parshat Tzav). First, the

Sefer discusses who cannot enter the Mishkan. Then it explains

who can enter its most sacred domain.

 

ZEHIRUT - BEING CAREFUL

     Up until this point, we have discussed the technical

aspects of the structure of this unit in Parshiot Shmini,

Tazria & Metzora.  Is there any significance to these laws of

TUMAH & TAHARA today as well?

     The simplest explanation is based on our parallel between

the Mishkan and Har Sinai. Just as Bnei Yisrael's encounter

with God at Har Sinai required special preparation, so too

man's encounter with God in the Mishkan. It would not be

proper for man just to 'hop on in' whenever he feels like

entering the Mishkan. Instead, each time an individual plans

to offer a korban or enter the Mishkan for any other reason,

he must prepare himself by making sure not to come in contact

with anything which would make him TAMEY.  Should for any

reason he become TAMEY, he must wash his clothes and wait

until the next day. Should he himself contract a major type of

TUMAH such as TZARAAT or ZAV, then he must wait at least seven

days and undergo a special ritual which will make him TAHOR.

     All of these complicated laws cause the man who wishes to

visit the Mishkan to be very careful and constantly aware of

everything he touches, or carries, etc. during the entire week

prior to his visit, thus enhancing his spiritual readiness for

entering the Mishkan.

     Today, even without a Mishkan, man must still make every

effort to find God's Presence, even though it is hidden.

Therefore, man's state of constant awareness and caution

concerning everything that he says and does remains a primary

means by which man can come closer to God, even though no Bet

Ha'Mikdash exists.

     An important though to keep in mind as we prepare

ourselves during the seven weeks of Sefirat ha'Omer in

preparation for our commemoration of Ma'amad Har Sinai on

Shavuot.

 

                                   shabbat shalom

                                   menachem

 

========================

FOR FURTHER IYUN

 

A. In relation to the translation of the word "v'hizartem et

Bnei Yisrael..." (15:31), see Ibn Ezra. He explains that the

word does not stem from "azhara"=warning, but rather from the

word "nazir", to separate oneself ["zarut"]. Then "nun" simply

falls which is noted by the dagesh in the "zayin". See Ibn

Ezra inside!

 

B. Since this section of chapters 11->15 discuss various laws

of TUMAH & TAHARA, one would expect it to include the laws of

TUMAT MEYT (caused by touching a dead person). Instead, the

Torah records these laws in Parshat Chukat,  Bamidbar chapter

19. It appears as though that parsha was 'spliced' from this

unit and 'transferred' to Sefer Bamidbar. This parsha is one

of many parshiot in Sefer Bamidbar which would appear to

'belong' in Sefer Vayikra instead. Iy"h, we will explain the

reason for this in our shiurim on Sefer Bamidbar - "v'akmal".

 

C. At first glance, the section in our unit which discusses

'one-day' TUMAH (chapter 11) appears to be discussing

"kashrut" (dietary laws) more than TUMAH, for it details which

animals are permitted or forbidden to be eaten. However, the

dietary laws which are mentioned here because one becomes

TAMEY should he eat the meat of an animal which is TAMEY.

     To prove this, simply compare this parsha to the dietary

laws in Parshat Re'ay (see Dvarim 14:1-21). There we find only

dietary laws and not laws of TUMAH & TAHARA. Therefore, laws

such as "basar v'chalav" are mentioned in that parsha, while

the laws of TUMAH are not!

 

D. These laws which discuss who can and cannot enter the

Mikdash are sometimes referred to as HILCHOT BIYAT MIKDASH

(see Rambam Sefer Avodah). Obviously, these laws apply only

when a Mikdash exists, as there is no other consequence of

'becoming tamey' other than limited entry to areas containing

shchinah.

     Nonetheless, there are several circumstances when it is

still necessary to know these laws. For example, entering HAR

HA'BAYIT even when there is not Mikdash requires that one not

be TAMEY. These laws also relate to eating TRUMOT & MAASROT.

 

E. See 11:44-45

    "...v'hitkadishtem, v'yehiytem KDOSHIM, ki KADOSH ani"

     v'lo t'TAMU et nafshoteichem...."

    "ki ani Hashem ha'maale etchem m'eretz mitzrayim,

     l'hiyot l'chem l'Elokim, v'heyitem KDOSHIM ..."

     "... l'havdil bein ha'tamey u'bein ha'tahor..."

 

     This finale of the section explaining 'one-day' TUMAH

connects the theme of Sefer Shmot, that Hashem took us out

Egypt in order that we become His nation, to the laws of

"tumah & tahara". To become God's nation, we must be like Him.

Just as He is "kadosh" (set aside, different), we must also be

"kadosh".

     Man's spirituality begins with his recognition that he is

different than animal. Although man and animal are similar in

many ways, man must realize that he was set aside by God for a

higher purpose. God blessed man with special qualities in

order that he fulfill that purpose. [See Rambam in Moreh

Nvuchim I.1 regarding the definition of tzelem elokim. It is

not by coincidence that the Rambam begins Moreh Nvuchim with

this concept.]

     These laws of "tumat ochlim" teach Am Yisrael that they

must differentiate between man and animal, and between

different types of animals. By doing so, man will learn to

differentiate between divine and mundane, between "tamey &

tahor", and finally between good and bad, right and wrong etc.

 

D. In previous shiurim, we explained how the cycles of seven

found in Chumash relate to our need to recognize the hand of

God behind nature. Why do you think that we also find cycles

of seven in the laws of TZARAAT, ZAV, and ZAVA that appear to

be the exact opposite, that is abnormalities in nature?

 

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