Tazria Videos

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

Ever heard the old saying, “Never let a monkey feed you grapes”? Well, neither did Jono. Join Jono and Gefilte Fish as they explore the fascinating topic of old-world diseases, and learn about being careful with what you say about other people along the way.

According to the talmudic sage Rabbi Yitzchak, the advent of the Messianic Era is a revolutionary upturning of heretical governments. The sage Rava offers another, less violent interpretation of this revolution.

Topics include: The pain of childbirth as a lesson that G-d does not bring upon us burdens that we cannot handle, different shades of tzaraat lesions and their correspondence to different degrees of spiritual sickness, the seven day quarantine of the leper as a metaphor for reincarnation.

The ancient Biblical skin-affliction known as Tzaraat has not been manifest for millennia for it only visits people of lofty spiritual stature. Yet our Sages state that this affliction comes as consequence/punishment for the sin of lashon hora—gossip. Clearly, one who is guilty of gossip is not on an elevated spiritual plane! How can we reconcile these two statements? In resolving the apparent contradiction this class will explore the potent power of speech. (Likutei Sichos vol. 22)

This portion provides the Biblical source for the mitzvah of circumcision on the eighth day. What are the specific laws and customs of this life-cycle event?

The parsha of Tazria contains 67 verses and the mnemonic is the name ‘vaneha’ (her children). Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the parshah.

Can you imagine a world bereft of evil talk, rumors, slander and gossip? What would it look like?

Words are empowering. Words encourage us to reach unbelievable goals. But words can also destroy. What will your words do?

A powerful story on a mother’s devotion to doing a bris for her son and the takeaway for parenting and educating children in our times.

A Talmudic debate – as seen through the lens of Chassidus – on why the Torah sometimes grants temporary immunity from the effects of Tzaraas. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 37, p. 37.)

In the Mishnah, R' Yehudah says that if a metzorah (one who suffers from Biblical leprosy) enters someone's home uninvited, the home becomes defiled within the amount of time it takes to light the Shabbat candles. What is the deeper, spiritual meaning of this law and how does it help us understand the tremendous power of the Shabbat candles? (Based in Likkutei Sichos, vol. 17, pp. 141)

In the verse Leviticus 13:33, the word "v'hitgalach" meaning "he shall shave" has a large-sized letter gimmel. The letter gimmel is numerically equivalent to the number 3. What is the connection between the number three, Biblical leprosy, removing hair, and the time of the Omer count?

Understanding the subject of ‘tzaraat’ (the divine affliction of discoloration) on five different levels.

This profound and penetrating analysis of the scriptural verbiage employed to introduce the dermal discolorations called Tzara’at -the biblical anomaly of antiquity - is instructive as it’s inspirational. Following a basic overview, you’ll be introduced to a stunning display of the Oral Torah’s unbroken continuum of painstakingly developed teachings as they evolved over the ages. Be amazed at the array of legal and philosophical ideas conveyed by the use of a single biblical noun, which climaxes with deeply mystical insights into this seemingly obsolete concept that actually resonate with timely messaging and extraordinary urgency in our modern age of social media!

Tell your kids not to tell or tell them to always keep you up-to-date? First, let’s clarify the parameters of negative talk.

The Aramean general Naaman is stricken with Tzaraat and is ultimately cured by Elisha the prophet.

Before they left Egypt, G-d got the Jews to break the laws of Torah to circumcise themselves at night. It was a momentous introduction to a completely supernatural Exodus.

The Talmud identifies and calls Moshiach a leper. How does leprosy represent the persona of Moshiach? Isn’t the spiritual affliction of leprosy associated with a spiritual deficiency?

Last week's parshah discussed the laws of purity relating to animals and now we learn the laws of purity for the human being; why do animals precede man?

On the Shabbat preceding the month of Nissan a special Torah reading is added, which discusses establishing the Jewish months and the Passover offering. Discover the special spirit of this month.

Being Jewish is about synthesizing the supernatural and the natural. Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 17 Tazria - HaChodesh)

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 212 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.