Kol Ramah

Parashat Tazri-Metzora [Leviticus 12-15] is well-described by this morning’s Bar Mitzvah student as yucky. There are four chapters which focus on the removal of impurity introduced by childbirth [chapter 12], skin diseases [chapters 13-14], and discharges from sexual organs [chapter 15]. As Baruch Levine explains in his JPS Commentary on Leviticus, purity and impurity in the Bible might be best understood as immune and susceptible. Certain bodily conditions render the person susceptible to danger; removal from the community provided protection to both the sufferer and the community. When the danger had passed, the condition disappeared or was treated, the person could be declared pure and rejoin the community. Recording on Wednesday, we took note of the observance of Yom HaShoah the day before and of Yom Ha-Zikkaron [Israel’s Memorial Day] and Yom Ha-Atzma’ut [Israel’s Independence Day] next Tuesday and Wednesday. We talked a little longer than usual, so I hope you enjoy the extra time with us! As the Un