SEDRA: Metzora- Hertz Chumash p. 470 Leviticus Chaps. 14-15

This week's Sedra is generously sponsored by David Castelan.

SYNOPSIS:

T azria described the onset and diagnosis of the Tzara'at condition - loosely translated : leprosy.
When the disease healed, the Kohen again examined the person and if the recovery was complete he would undertake a ritual of purification. This elaborate process took place over an eight day period with special rites being observed on the first and last days. These included washing, bathing and laundering his clothes. On the eighth day he brought three sacrifices : a guilt offering, a sin offering and a meal offering. A poor man could bring smaller sacrifices. The person was then pronounced Tahor (pure) and could resume living as part of the community - society again. The laws of Tzara'at also applied to garments and buildings. Here too, the investigations as to the ritual fitness of the article or building would be conducted by the Kohen. Garments with tzara'at were burnt. Houses with signs of tzara'at were evacuated and boarded up for seven days. If the contamination spread the affected parts were removed and replaced. If the tazra'at still persisted the building was demolished. All the materials were removed from the site to a specially designated dump outside the camp.
The Sedra continues to discuss physical secretions which render a person ritually unfit, especially for entry into the Sanctuary. The nature of the issue or secretion and the restrictions it imposes are set out as well as the mode of purification including the sacrifices to be brought. While many of these laws hardly apply today as we have no Temple service, the laws of Niddah (a form of ritual impurity), family purity, sexual intimacy and use of the Mikveh continue to form the basis of the Jewish approach to family life and the sexual relationship.

HAPHTORAH - in most Leap Years this Sedra concides with Shabbat Hagadol. "The great Shabbat" HERTZ CHUMASH P. 1005 Malachi Chap. 3, verse 4

The Shabbat before Pesach is called Shabbat Hagadol. Reasons for this name vary. One explanation refers to the final words of the Haphtorah : "before the coming of the Great and awesome day of the Lord". Malachi was the last of the prophets, and this chapter ends his prophecy and indeed the age of prophecy. It speaks of a future redemption to be heralded by the return of Elijah, most zealous of the prophets. The theme of the Haphtorah is one of repentance and rededication to G-d, the Torah and a commitment to all the Mitzvot. "And test me now in this says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing with no lack of sufficiency". i.e. if we seriously commit ourselves to G-d's way, we are assured of a blessed response. Try it !

TELL ME RABBI ..... SEDER GUIDE

The first two nights of Pesach, we conduct a Seder - a festive yet solemn event. At a table royally set we re-enact the exodus from Egypt in ancient times. We also pray for the forthcoming redemption speedily in our days. Each per son is to consider himself as if he were going out of Egypt. We begin with our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; we are with our people as they descend into exile, and suffer cruel oppression and persecution. We are with them when G-d sends the ten plagues to punish Pharaoh and his nation, with them as they leave Egypt, and with them at the crossing of the Sea of Reeds. And we witness the miraculous hand of G-d as the waters part, allowing the Israelites to pass, and then return, thundering over the Egyptian legions.

THE SEDER PLATE

Three matzot are placed on the table, one on top of the other symbolic of the three tribes of Jews: Kohen, Levi and Yisroel. They also commemorate the three measures of fine flour which Abraham told Sarah to bake into matzot when the three angels visited them. When we break the middle matzah, we are still left with two whole loaves for `lechem mishne', as on all Sabbaths and Festivals. The following items are placed on the plate :
1. Z'roah - shank bone or roasted chicken neck, symbolic of the pascal sacrifice.
2. Botzah - the hard boiled egg, symbolic of the festival sacrifice.
3. Maror - bitter herbs, raw horseradish, and/or leaves of bitter continental lettuce or endive, symbolic of bitter suffering.
4. Charoset - the mixture of chopped apples, nuts and wine resembles mortar.
5. Karpas - Parsley.
6. Chazeret - more bitter herbs. Used as maror in the `sandwich' later in the Seder.

ORDER OF THE SEDER SERVICE

Kadesh - The recitation of Kiddush, proclaiming the holiness of the holiday over a cup of wine, the first of four cups we all drink, reclining, at the Seder. Why we Recline - We lean on our left side to accentuate the fact that we are free people. In ancient times only free people we allowed to reline while eating.
Ur'chatz - Purification - We wash our hands in the prescribed manner without the blessing.
Karpas - the `Appetiser' - A piece of parsley is dipped into salt water the blessing over vegetables is recited and it is eaten. The salt water represents the tears of our ancestors in Egypt.
Yachatz - Breaking the Matzah - The middle matzah on the Seder plate is broken in two. The larger part is the Afikoman. This unusual action attracts the child's special attention and recalls G-d's splitting the Sea of Reeds to make a path for the Israelites to cross on dry land. The smaller part of matzah is returned to the Seder plate. This broken matzah symbolises humility and the `bread of poverty'.
Maggid - the Haggadah . At this point the poor are invited to join the Seder; the Seder tray is moved aside; a second cup of wine is poured; and the child, by now bursting with curiosity, asks the time-honoured questions - Why is this night different from all other nights? Why only matzah? Why the dipping? Why the bitter herbs? Why are we relaxing, leaning on cushions, as if we were kings? The questioning triggers one of the most significant mitzvot of Pesach, and the highlight of the Seder ceremony: the Haggadah, narration of the exodus from Egypt. The answer includes a brief review of history, the suffering imposed upon the Israelites; the plagues visited upon the Egyptians, and an enumeration of the miracles performed by the Al-mighty for the redemption of His people.
Rachtzah - Washing before the Meal
Motzie Matzah - Eating Matzah - Taking hold of the three matzot, recite the customary blessing before bread. Holding the top whole matzah with the broken middle one recite the blessing `Al Achlat Matzah'. Break from each matzah and eat the two pieces together reclining.
Maror - the Bitter Herbs- Take of the bitter herbs, dip it in the charoset, shake the latter off and make the blessing `Al AChlat Maror'. Eat without reclining.
Korech - the ` Sandwich' - Break off two pieces of the bottom matzah. Take bitter herbs and dip them in charoset. Place them between the pieces of matzah and say "Kein assa Hillel..." Eat the `sandwich' reclining.
Shulchan Oreich - the Feast - Some begin the meal with a hard boiled egg dipped into salt water. Why? It symbolise the Jew, the more the egg is burned and boiled, the harder it gets.
Tzafun - Hidden - After the meal, the hidden half matzah - set aside for the Afikoman `dessert' is eaten. It symbolises the pascal lamb which was eaten at the end of the meal. After the Afikoman, we do not eat or drink anything except for the two remaining cups of wine.
Barech - Blessings after the Meal - A third cup of wine is filled and grace is recited. After grace we recite the blessing on wine and drink the third cup while reclining. Now we fill the cup of Elijah and our own cups with wine. We open the door and recite the passage which symbolises an invitation to the Prophet Elijah.
Hallel - Songs of Praise - At this point, having recognised the Al-mighty, and His unique guidance of His people Israel, we go still further and turn to sing His praises as L-rd of the entire Universe. After reciting the Hallel, we again recite the blessing for wine and drink the fourth cup, reclining.
Nirtzah - Acceptance - Having carried out Seder service properly, we are sure that it has been well received by the Al-mighty. Next year in Jerusalem!