Tazria-Metzora Videos

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

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.

The Metzora is the consummate Outsider. Of his own accord, he exists on the margins of society. And yet his tormented ostracism is the place where he finds his innermost connection with G-d.

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)

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)

Tzaraat is a supernatural skin discoloration which signifies ritual impurity. The declaration and diagnosis of tzaraat is only through the kohen, why?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

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

The parsha of Metzora contains 90 verses and the mnemonic is the word ‘ido’. Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the parshah.

Learn the profound connections between the weekly parsha and its related Haftorah.

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

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.

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

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.

Immersing in a mikvah (a ritual pool of water) purifies one who is ritually impure. Discover five layers of meaning to mikvah.

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.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 232 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

The ironic names of the double Parsha Tazria-Metzora teaches us that every mitzvah seeds the spectacular spiritual reality of Moshiach's times.

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?

The difference between the spiritual condition often translated as leprosy (tzaraat) and the physical ailment of the same name.

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?

The ritual purification of the former metzorah includes placing blood from an animal sacrifice on the person's right eat, right thumb and right big toe as well as placing olive oil on the same three places plus on the top of his or her head. What is the deeper significance of the three applications of blood and the four applications of oil?