Parsha Roundup: Tazria-Metzora 5769

by Steve Brizel

Yom HaShoah

R. Aharon Lichtenstein reminds and exhorts us to respond , but not to offer theodicy-based explanations for the Holocaust: link

R. Tamir Granot explores various hashkafic perspectives on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust: link

R. Hershel Schachter discusses how a Torah observant Jew should approach the Holocaust: link (audio)

Click here to read moreInsights into Tumah and Taharah

R. Ezra Bick provides an overview of Tumaah and Taharah: link

R. Aharon Lichtenstein explains how the Halachos of Tumaah and Taharah differ from the magical and scientific approaches to purity and impurity: link

R. Michael Rosensweig illustrates how the Halachos of Tzaraas are rehabilitative in nature: link

R. Yonasan Sacks explores the relationship between the Halachos of a Metzorah and an Avel: link

R. Dovid Horwitz, based upon the teachings of R Chaim Shmuelevitz, ZTL explores the connection between a poor man, a leper, a blind person and a childless person as stated in Nedarim 64b: link

R. Yitzchak Etshalom explores the sequencing of the Halachos in both Parshiyos and their relationship to contemporary Jewish issues revolving around Jewish statehood: link

R. Berel Wein suggests that Tumaah and Taharah are concepts that have much significance to contemporary society and mores: link

R. Yissocher Frand, based upon the Tefilah of Rav mentioned in Brachos 16b-17a, as explained by R Nisson Alpert, z"l, explains why the efficacy of our Tefilos is dependent on clean speech: link

R. Baruch Simon explores the hashkafic implications of why a spread of Tzoraas is Tahor: link (audio)

Bris Milah

R. Jonathan Sacks explains why Bris Milah is the sign of the covenant: link

The Sacrifices of a Mother After Childbirth

R. Issac Bernstein z"l and R. Shlomo Riskin explains why a mother offers a Korban Olah and a Korban Chataas, but not a Korban Todah: link 1, link 2

R. Asher Brander delves into the question why Tummas Leidah is doubled from seven days to 14 following the birth of a daughter: link

Halachic and Hashkafic Aspects of Lashon Hara

R. Dovid Gottlieb discusses Halachic and Hashkafic aspects of Lashon Hara: link (audio)

Last year's roundups: Tazria, Metzora