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Parasha Tazria
by Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber
The Scripture readings for the Shabbat of April 5/3 Nisan are: Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59; Melachim Beit/2 Kings 4:42-5:19; Mattityahu/Matthew 8:1-4; Romim/Romans 6:19 - 23. Vayikra {12:6} When the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb a year old for an olah offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin-offering, to the door of the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting) to the cohen (priest): {12:7} and he shall offer it before HaSHEM, and make Kapparah (Draw near) for her; and she shall be tahor (clean) cleansed from the fountain of her blood. This is The Torah for her who bears, whether a male or a female. {12:8} If her means isn't sufficient for a lamb, then she shall take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons; the one for an olah offering, and the other for a sin-offering: and the cohen shall make Kapparah for her, and she shall be tahor. I find these Scripture intriguing! Is it a sin to bear children? Why did a new mother have to bring a sin offering to the L-rd after giving birth? I can understand making an offering for the purpose of purification, but why for sin? Ask as you may however, the Scriptures are silent on this point. Although there may be many possible explanations on why, the truth of the matter is that no one really knows why. I feel safe therefore in adding my voice to what I am sure is already a long list of opinions. One possible scenario and perhaps the one most commonly accepted is the shedding of blood explanation. We are all aware of the importance the L-rd places on blood. It was to used as the substitutionary atonement for our sin; it is, we are told, the life of all flesh (Vayikra 17:11) and there are grave consequences if a person sheds another person's blood. In addition on completion of her monthly cycle a woman is instructed to bring a similar sin offering as above, to the L-rd (Vayikra 15.19ff). Menstruation involves the shedding of blood, so the shedding or passing of blood is considered worthy of a sin offering by the L-rd. G-d however gives no such instruction if one should cut their finger or scrape their knee, two of many other ways blood may also be shed. So why does G-d single out menstruation and child birth as requiring a sin offering? Here therefore is my opinion. I believe the sin offering requirement has to do with the original sin! It was Chava's (Eve) disobedience to G-d, which resulted in the curses placed against her and her ultimate expulsion from Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden). Chava's roll in this expulsion obviously was serious enough for G-d to put this perpetual requirement upon her and through her to the rest of female humanity. G-d's desire and the ultimate goal of salvation is to return man to that Gan Eden state with G-d, a state which he lost due to sin. As women are the vessel used by G-d to bring new life into the world, perpetuating humanity, G-d in His infite wisdom decided she must continually be reminded of the importance of her roll in bringing future generations into the world. He accomplishes this by the pain involved both in menstruation and childbirth. This pain, which also involves the shedding of blood would not have been present nor would it had occurred had sin not entered Chava's heart. Therefore as a result of the curse of pain, every time menstruation or childbirth occurs, woman is reminded of her sinful nature and G-d is reminded that man is no longer conceived holy but rather in sin thus requiring a sin offering. Tehillim (Psalms) {51:5} Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Sin is not a pleasant thing to G-d and having his creatures born into sin is not compatible with a right relationship with Him. G-d's ultimate plan of salvation is for us to return to that Gan Eden state of life and relationship with Him. Let this Parasha therefore be a reminder to us all of how far the world has fall away from G-d. However through the shed blood of Mashiach (Messiah) Yeshua, and for those who have applied it to themselves, they have entered back into the Garden. Once again they can experience the exhilaration of walking and talking with G-d. Soon Mashiach will return and as the Aitz Chaim (Tree of Life) He will dwell in the midst of us and take up His rightful place in the middle of His Garden, the place He had to leave because of original sin........Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada. Copyright 2003
- Romans 1:16, NIV |