Metzorah 5776-2016

“G-d Has Pity on the Property of Israel” by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Metzorah, opens with a detailed description of the purification ritual for the…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5783-2023

“The Torah’s Home Security System” (updated and revised from Tazria-Metzorah 5766-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Metzorah, the second of this week’s double parashiot, we…

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Metzorah 5765-2005

"And you think that Tzara'at is Weird?" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week's parasha, parashat Metzorah, continues the theme of last week's parasha, Tazria, regarding the saga of the…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5773-2013

"Ritual Impurity and Tzaraat: A Contemporary Understanding" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s double parashiot, Tazria and Metzorah, are among the most complex Torah portions for…

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Metzorah 5782-2022

“The Nidah--Affirming the Infinite Value of Human Life” (updated and revised from Metzorah 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Toward the end of this week’s parasha, parashat…

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Tazria 5768-2008

"The Odd Ritual Practices of the Metzorah!" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald According to rabbinic tradition, the "tzah'ra'aht" affliction is not a bodily disease, but a physical…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5770-2010

"The Human Animal" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald On three of the next four Shabbatot, the Torah readings will consist of combined parashiot. The main reason for the doubling up is to make…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5767-2007

"The Conundrum of Childbirth" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Again, because of the calendrical nuances, this week's parashiot, Tazriah-Metzorah, are combined. While both parashiot deal…

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Metzorah 5768-2008

"Modesty and Humility for All" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Metzorah, we learn that the affliction of tzah'rah'aht, the disease we are told comes from…

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Tazria-Metzorah 5766-2006

"The Torah's Home Security System" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In parashat Metzorah, the second of this week's double parashiot, we learn how the disease tzara'at (sometimes incorrectly…

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