Here we are... again

Seven weeks. That’s what we count. From the first day of Pesach until Shavuot. Sounds like a reasonably long period of time, but it is unusually filled with many different dates of different significances.
First there is the rest of Pesach. And Isru Chag (and Maimuna). That already cuts things down to six weeks. And then, before the (mostly) joyous month of First Redemption is out, we have Yom HaShoa, Holocaust Remembrance Day. In addition to Tish’a b’Av (in the summer) and Asara b’Tevet (in the winter), Yom HaShoa is designated as a memorial for the Holocaust and the strength and courage displayed by many Jews during that blackest of times in our history. Although some religious circles object to choosing a date in Nisan for a sad commemoration, the fact is that the Omer mourning period has begun according to some opinions, and we have said AV HARACHAMIM just a week earlier, on the last day of Pesach. Furthermore, marking the Holocaust so soon after Pesach serves as a stark example to that which proclaimed on Seder night - B’CHOL DOR VADOR, OM’DIM ALEINU L’CHALOTEINU - in every generation, there are those who rise up against us, to vanquish us.

Word of the Month

A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem…

TTriddles

TTRIDDLES…
are Torah Tidbits-style riddles on Parshat HaShavua (sometimes on the calendar). They are found in the hard-copy of TT scattered throughout, usually at the bottom of different columns. In the electronic versions of TT, they are found all together at the end of the ParshaPix-TTriddles section. The best solution set submitted each week (there isn’t always a best) wins a double prize a CD from Noam Productions and/or a gift (game, puzzle, book, etc.) from Big Deal

Parsha Pix

The two birds are part of the purification process of a M’TZORA. Pictured in the Parsha- Pix are sparrows. Neither bird of the two required is a korban (sacrifice) and is therefore not necessarily a dove or turtledove - those being the only two birds eligible for the Mizbei’ach. They only have to be kosher birds.
Also pictured are the other objects that were used in the ceremony for the M’tzora: a branch from a cedar tree (EITZ EREZ),
the hyssop plant (EISOV),

Divrei Menachem

Parshat Metzora describes the ways by which an individual struck by Tzara’at was cured. One form of Tzara’at - a spiritual malaise with a physical manifestation - affected an individual’s body. Once the kohen identified the disease, followed the progress of the ailment, and finally declared that the symptoms had disappeared, he would be ready to instigate a number of procedures that would purify the stricken individual.

M’TZORA - THE METAPHOR

Leprosy was once a terrible scourge. Our tradition interprets it on two levels - literal and metaphorical. The rabbis said in the Talmud, “Leprosy comes because of evil talk and slander” (Eruchin 16b). If we examine some Biblical examples, we find that time after time leprosy was indeed associated with moral turpitude.
Miriam slandered her brother and was immediately punished with leprosy.

MicroUlpan

BUGLE - KARNON - One of the simplest brass instruments, having no valves or other pitch-altering devices.

Why Yizkor on Yom Tov?

On each of the last days of the Shalosh Regalim, it is traditional that the Yizkor service be recited. Even those who, for one reason or another, have not been in regular attendance at the Synagogue, gravitate to it at this time. There is a feeling of responsibility and respect for our departed parents which impels us to participate in this service.

Torah from Nature

Fox

The red fox is the most widespread and abundant carnivore (meat eater) on earth… foxes will eat literally almost anything - it’s what makes them so successful… they live in small family groups but always hunt alone… they are cache- hunters, taking as many animals as they can and bury most of them for later… superb rodent killers… they seem to enjoy chewing through electrical and phone wires, and gas and water pipes..

From the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook by Rabbi Chanan Morrison

We are charged to sing out in joy - God answered our prayers and rescued us from the bondage of Egyptian slavery:
“I am HaShem your God Who raises you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. (T’hilim 81:11)
What is the connection between our redemption from Egypt and “opening our mouths wide” to receive God’s blessings?
Ongoing Elevation

Esther’s Finger Speaks the Truth

Vayikra 14:35 - And the owner of the house shall come and tell the kohen, saying, “Something like a plague appeared to me in the house.”
Rashi: Even if he were wise and knew for certain it was a plague, he would not clearly decide the matter, to say “a plague appeared to me”-  Rather, he says “something like a plague.”

Disease or Divine Reckoning?

Context: The bulk of the parshiot of Tazria and Metzora deal with a description of the dramatic effects of tzara’at, often defined (for want of a better term) as biblical leprosy.
The Torah delineates in fine detail the specifics of this mysterious affliction - which affects individuals, clothes and dwellings - and the steps to be taken under the guidance of the Kohanim towards its diagnosis and treatment.