Close To Torah

There is much discussion about birth, a woman’s tumah (ritual impurity) and Tzaras (leprosy) throughout Tazria and Metzora. The laws of a Tzaras (the punishment one got for speaking Lashon Harah), the laws of childbirth and the laws of a woman’s tumah and tahara process are all found together especially with the advent of the two parshios of Tazria and Metzora coming together on one week.

Why the Tumah?

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l (1895-1986) asks, why is it that a woman becomes tamey just for giving birth and bringing a child into this world?! What is the lesson here? He explains that the deepest principle that we wish to instill in the new child is that of self-perfection and development. Hashem created each of us and put us in the world in order to bring ourselves up from being a physical hedonistic being into a spiritual connector with Hashem. The baby’s birth causes tumah in order to stress that physical existence is only granted for the purpose of recognizing the tumah of mankind and working to bring tahara, purity, into the world by means of Torah and mitzvos. He has the rest of life to purify himself though becoming a spiritual being.

The Leper

Someone who spoke Lashon Harah has used his mouth for the exact opposite reason that he was granted a mouth in the first place. Hashem gave us a mouth so that we can speak the words of Torah and Tefillah. He gave us a mouth so that we can speak nicely and pleasantly to one another. The mouth is a place of connection. It is used for eating, the advent which connects the body and the soul. It is used for expressing love and connection by way of a kiss. It is used to connect people by way of talking and bonding. When someone speaks Lashon Harah he or she is using the mouth to disconnect. The mouth is removed from Hashem and His Torah and causing a separation between people as well.

The Baby

Chazal tell us that the baby is taught the entire Torah while in his or her mother’s womb. This is a time of great spiritual infusion. The angel hits the baby above the mouth and it forgets the entire Torah before being born. The learning was not for nothing. It was to instill inside the child the truth and power of Torah. Throughout life, he or she will work to bring out his or her portion in Torah, made easier by the original infusion in-utero. The Maharal teaches us that the blow to the infant’s mouth is none other than the power of speech. The depth of Torah cannot be fully articulated verbally and the power of speech is what limits the baby’s expression. He or she will spend life learning Torah and doing mitzvos and learning how to articulate Torah into language, though the greatest Torah will be held in his or her heart. The emunah, faith, and depth of understanding lies deep within.

The Real Birth

The entire process of pregnancy and birth represents the world and its spiritual goal in a microcosm. Nine months of intense pain and suffering represent the existence of the physical world which consists of hardships, trials and tribulations. The woman holds tight with her knowledge that despite all the suffering, it will be worth it in the end. The moment of birth represents the climax of leaving the physical world, just as the baby is leaves the world of his physical nurturer. The Torah that was learned will guide the child forever. Birth represents the resolution, the satisfaction of having lived life to its fullest in choosing a spiritual life and in recognizing that only Hashem is the True Provider. When man uses his mouth to connect with Hashem and others, he has elevated his life to a most fulfilling and productive existence for eternity.

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Categories: Parshas Metzora, Parshas Tazria Tags: