As believing Jews, we know, of course, that there is a lot more to the world than just what meets the physical eye. As such, some of the basic tenets of our faith touch upon the notions of the arrival of the Messianic Era and the attainment of ultimate reward in Olam Haba (the World to Come). At the same time, our ability to know the particulars [...]
Is there a particular mitzvah that could be considered a litmus test to determine who is truly a Jew? If so, which would it be? The answer, as we shall see, emerges from Chazal’s account of the great Day of Judgment. Fair-Weather “Jews” The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 2a) recounts at some length the proceedings to take place when Hashem reveals Himself to dispense reward and punishment at [...]
In a parshah replete with numerous mitzvos, one of the key themes underlying some of these laws is the care one must exhibit in interpersonal relations. Emblematic of this notion is the well-known directive of “V’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha – You shall love your fellow as yourself” (Vayikra 19:18). Evading Embarrassment Another manifestation in the parshah of the premium the Torah places on preserving one’s dignity comes in the form of a prohibition, which states: [...]
The main feature of the two parshiyos of Tazria-Metzora is, of course, the topic of tzara’as – the skin condition which, if meeting certain specifications, renders the individual ritually impure. When one finds such a condition developing, he presents himself before a kohein, who determines whether the proper qualifications are met. If they are not, he retains his status of ritual purity; if, however, the kohein determines that he has bona fide tzara’as, he then declares the [...]
The chazir/chazer/pig is perhaps the most familiar example that comes to mind when we consider non-kosher animals. In a sense, the chazer is a one-of-a-kind animal, standing out from the others listed in this week’s parshah as the representative of proscribed items. Two primary simanim (indicators) are required to render an animal permissible for consumption: their feet must be split, and they must chew their cud. A number of animals (e.g. camels, rabbits) are [...]
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