Shabbat Tazria/Metzora Shabbat 28 April 2012 6 Iyar 5772 Hebrew Course in Manaus Brazil

News

Website: www.jewishadventist.org Web Ministers: www.jewishadventistministers.com

e received a good news from Wilian Cardoso, who leads the Jewish Adventist Congregation in Manaus, Amazon, Brazil. This congregation started a few months ago and they try to initiate many activities in order to attract people to their place.

srael is a special country for contextualization. Most of us are Jews, we live in a Jewish context where it is very normal to live a Jewish life. Thus when one of our children reaches 12 or 13, and all his friends becoming Bar Mitzva, it is normal for him/her to ask their pastor to perform the Bar Mitzva service in the kehilah. I celebrated the first Jewish Adventist Bar-Mitsva, It was in 2000 and from that time we have celebrated many bar /bat Mitzva.

Bar Mitzva in Tel Aviv

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They started a course of Hebrew. Willian wrote: We begin to offer a course of Biblical Hebrew on Sunday afternoon. Besides to teaching about the holy language, that by itself is a privilege, our goal is to increase the number of members: internally by attracting Adventists who are motivated by our ministry, and externally by non-Adventists interested in Jewish culture and worship. Thanks G-d we had a good feedback, almost 30 people signed up, including some Evangelicals and two pastors of evangelical churches, which also asked for a particular course on the prophecies of Daniel. Lets pray for the success of these new activities.

On Sabbath April 21, it was a privilege for us to celebrate the Bar Mitzva of Valentine Elkine, the son of Pastor Elkine. It is with great joy that Valentine received his first Talith and Kippa. It is with Joy that Valentine read a portion of the parasha in the Sepher Torah, and it is with joy that Valentine preached a sermon in Hebrew in front of a kehilah of about seventy people. As I explained to the congregation, Yeshua celebrated his Bar Mitzva when he was 12, it was his first public act as a religious man, today when a Jewish boy celebrates his Bar Mitzva in our kehilah and preaches in Hebrew, we have to respect it very much and regard it as a first commitment before G-d, which will lead to many other more important commitments.

ne of the mitzvot which Jews have been performing for over 3000 years religiously is the mitzvah of circumcision - called Brit Tazriah Milah or simply Brit. The Torah states, On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. (Lev 12:3) Leviticus 12:1 - 13:59 he Torah commands a woman to bring a It is a covenant between the Jewish people and G-d. According to the Jewish tradition the numerical value korban after the birth of a child. A son is to be circumcised on the eighth of the word Brit is 612 and there are 613 mitzvot in the Torah. The Brit Mila is the first mitzvah to be day of his life. The Torah introduces the phenomenon of tzaraat performed on the child and this mitzvah will never be (often mistranslated as leprosy) a miraculous performed again. Now there are 612 mitzvot left for disease that attacks people, clothing and buildings the child to perform. The name Brit, represents the 612 mitzvot which we bless the child to perform throughout to awaken a person to spiritual failures. A kohen must be consulted to determine whether his life. G-d told Abraham, four hundred years earlier, to a particular mark is taraat or not. circumcise. Abraham was 99 at the time and he did The kohen isolates the sufferer for a week. If the disease remains unchanged, confinement it without hesitation. Yitzchak was the first one to be continues for a second week, after which the circumcised on the eighth day, not only that, it was the eighth mitzvah given to Abraham. Until then, he kohen decides the persons status. followed the seven mitzvot of Noah (Noahid laws), just The Torah describes the different forms of tzaraat. One whose tzaraat is confirmed wears like the rest of mankind. According to Rabbi Zalmen Marozov, in some torn clothing, does not cut his hair, and must alert tradition, especially the Ashkenazic, it is customary to others that he is ritually impure. He may not have normal contact with people. The phenomenon of invite friends and relatives over, on the first Friday night after the baby is born, (which is usually the Shabbat tzaraat on clothing is described in detail. before the Brit), for refreshments. This gathering is called Shalom Zachar - Welcoming the boy. Metsor a What is the reason for this custom? The Brit is performed on the eighth day, is so that Leviticus 14:1-15:33 the baby will experience the holiness of the Shabbat he Torah describes the procedure for a metzora (a person afflicted with tazria) (which is on the seventh day) before entering into the covenant with G-d. Because the Shabbat before the upon conclusion of his isolation. Brit is so important and prepares the child for the Brit, This process extends for a week, and involves offerings and immersions in the mikveh. Then, we gather on the first Shabbat to welcome and greet the a kohen must pronounce the metzora pure. A newborn. It is customary not to invite to a Brit. We inform the metzora of limited financial means may substitute people when and where the Brit will take place, but we lesser offerings for the more expensive animals. Before a kohen diagnoses that a house has do not actually invite them to attend. Why? tzaraat, household possessions are removed to The Talmud says, Whoever is invited to a Brit and prevent them from also being declared ritually impure. The tzaraat is removed by smashing does not attend is worthy of being excommunicated. and rebuilding that section of the house; if it Because of this we do not invite to the Brit, only notify reappears, the entire building must be razed. The when it will take place. This way, if, for whatever reason, Torah details those bodily secretions that render a one cannot attend, they dont have to. A special honor is given to Elijah the Prophet by person spiritually impure, thereby preventing his contact with holy items, and how one regains a placing a special chair (Kisay shel Eliyahu - chair for Elijah) at every Brit. Why? state of ritual purity.

Overview

The Circumcision

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In Biblical times, Achav, King of Israel, under the influence of his wife Izevel (Jezebel), banned circumcision throughout the Holy Land. The Prophet Elijah, saddened by this event, retired to a cave and complained to G-d that his people had deserted G-ds covenant (Kings I 19:1014). Therefore, G-d ordered Elijah to be present at every circumcision so that he should witness the Jewish peoples future careful observance of this Mitzvah. A wonderful story describes how the mitzvah of circumcision saved the life of the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon) - Maimonides. Rambam was an advisor and personal physician to the Sultan. Several of the other ministers were jealous of Rambam. They tried to get the Sultan to find fault with him, but they werent successful. One time, they finally convinced the Sultan that Rambam wasnt loyal. The Sultan decided that Rambam should be thrown into the pit where criminals were burned alive. The Sultan commanded the soldier in charge of the pit, that when someone comes and asks, Did you carry out the Sultans order? throw him into the fiery pit! The Sultan then called Rambam, Go immediately to the fiery pit outside the city, he commanded, and ask the one in charge, if he carried out the Sultans orders? Rambam rushed to obey the order. On the way, a man approached him and said, My wife had a baby boy eight days ago. I want you to perform the circumcision. Rambam replied, It would indeed be a great honor for me and I would love to perform this mitzvah, but I have orders from the Sultan which I must immediately fulfill. The man wasnt impressed, You have an order from a human being, whereas the mitzvah of circumcision is an order from G-d. Which is more important? Rambam couldnt argue with this logic. He decided to perform the circumcision. In the meantime, one of the Sultans ministers couldnt wait. He knew that Rambam left for the pit and figured that he must have been burned to death by now. So he went to see for himself. Arriving at the pit, he asked the one in charge, Did you carry out the Sultans order? Before he even had a chance to defend himself, the evil minister was thrown into the fire. When Rambam finally arrived at the pit, he was assured that the Sultans orders were carried out satisfactorily. Rambam went back and reported to the Sultan that his order was carried out to the fullest. Needles to say, the Sultan was surprised to see Rambam alive. But when the Sultan found out how Rambam was saved through the performance of a mitzvah, the Sultans respect for the Rambam increased more than before.

zaraat is an ailment with physical symptoms similar to leprosy. During the time of the Beth HaMikdash (Temple) the Kohen (priest) would have to investigate the condition of the one afflicted with Tzaraat and declare the person spiritually clean or unclean. The laws of Tzaraat applied only in the days of the Holy Temple. Rabbi Zalmen Marozov says that our sages explain that Tzaraat was inflicted upon a person as a punishment for speaking Lashon Hara (slandering) others or gossip. From the Parasha we learn that speaking ill about others is an extremely grave sin. According to our sages, slander hurts three people; 1) the one who speaks, 2) the person who listens and 3) the person spoken about! Since there is no Beth HaMikdash (Temple) the laws of Tzaraat do not apply today, yet the prohibition to speak evil about people is nevertheless the same. Jewish rabbis have often emphasized the need for a person to be very careful when speaking about others. In fact, we are advised in some cases to refrain from speaking about others even when our intention is to tell nice things, for in the course of the conversation one may come to say something negative. The importance of refraining from speaking about others can also be seen from the commandment of the Torah, Remember what the L-rd your G-d did unto Miriam on the way, as you came out of Egypt (Deut. 24:9). Our sages compare the damage inflicted through Lashon Hara to a person shooting an arrow at somebody else. As soon as the arrow leaves, the person who shot it has no control over it anymore. Similarly, as soon as a person utters negative words about others, he lost control over them and there is no telling how far they may travel and how much damage they may inflict. Once they have been aired, there is no taking them back. Sources: These comments of the parasha are based on comments published by Rabbi Zalmen Pakouz, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Rabbi Ozer Alport, Rabbi Ari Kahn, Rabbi Noson Weisz, By Rabbi Naftali Reich, Rabbi Berel Wein and Rabbi Yochanan Zweig, Rabbi Yissocher Frand, by Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair from Ohr Somayach, by Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky. and Rabbi Zalmen Marozov.

Tazriah or Leprosy

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weary traveler was trudging along a dusty road, thinking about where he could spend the night. Far off in the distance, he saw the towering walls of a city, and he wondered if this would be a good place to seek hospitality. As he approached the city, he saw a sage sitting under a tree. Tell me, good sir, said the traveler. Do you know this city? Indeed I do, said the sage. Then perhaps you could tell me what kind of people live here? I certainly can, said the sage. But first tell me what kind of people live in your own city. My own city? said the traveler, his eyes shifting back over his shoulder. It is an evil place. The people are nasty. They watch you all the time with suspicious eyes, and they whisper about you behind your back. Stay away if you know whats good for you. Well, I am afraid you are out of luck, my friend, said the sage. Unfortunately, you will find exactly the same kind of people here. A short while later, a second traveler approached the city. He too saw the sage under the tree and decided to inquire about the inhabitants. I will be glad to tell you, said the sage. But first tell me what kind of people live in your own city. My own city? said the second traveler. It is such a wonderful place. The people are kind and considerate. They are always eager to help each other in any way they can. Im happy to tell you, my young friend, said the sage, that you have come to the right place. Those are just the kind of people you will find here. I think you will find this city a most compatible place.

What Kind of People?

and cannot become uncircumcised! The only way is that you circumcise and become like us! Your reply is good! said Caesar. However, the law is that one who outwits the king deserves to be punished by being thrown to the wild animals. He had Rabbi Tanchuma placed in a pit with wild animals. G-d performed a miracle and the animals didnt harm him. Everyone was amazed at this miracle. A heathen who saw all this remarked to the Caesar, Perhaps the animals are not hungry? We will soon find out, replied the Caesar. He ordered that the heathen be thrown into the pit with Rabbi Tanchuma. In no time, the heathen was devoured by the beasts, while Rabbi Tanchumas life was miraculously spared.!

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n the text of parashot Tazria and Metzora we have the description of tzaraat. Even though the Jewish tradition says that it is not leprosy all the symptom of this sickness look like leprosy TAZRIA: The old Jewish tradition has seen this parasha in connection with leprosy, thats why the corresponding text in the Haftara is about Naaman, a Syrian who got leprosy. Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the L-RD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. (2Kings 5:1). This man was highly appreciated, by men and by G-d. In his house was a young Jewish girl who served his wife. This young girl believed with all her heart in the G-d

2 Kings 4:42-5:19; 7:3-20

Haftar a

EDITOR
A newsletter published by the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center Under the umbrella of the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission Richard-Amram Elofer 4, Abraham Lincoln 94186 Jerusalem Israel Tel. +972 2625 1547 Fax +972 2625 1319 email: richard@elofer.com web: jewishadventist.org

aesar once said to the Talmudic sage Rabbi Tanchuma, Let us, Jews and Romans, be equal and be one nation. Implying that the Jews should become like the Romans. Rabbi Tanchuma replied, It is impossible for us to become like you since we are circumcised

To Be One Nation

of Israel, she was sure that her master could be healed by G-d and his prophet. There is no discrimination of person for G-d, Jews and Gentiles are loved and receive blessings if they are faithful people. Naaman went to the king of Israel and then to the prophet Elisha. Elisha sent him to the Jordan river to be immersed seven times, then he was healed, his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean. He went back to the prophet and confessed that the G-d of Israel is the true G-d, Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel (2Kings 5:14; 15). Naamam wanted to reward the prophet of G-d, but Elisha refused (2Kings 5:16).

12:3) and after forty days of purification there is another ceremony: the presentation of the boy to the Almighty When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. (Lev 12 6). We have to remember that Yeshua was born as a Jew and lived a Jewish life. That is why his parents who were orthodox Jews fulfilled these obligations of MEZTZORA: Leprous men (2 Kings 7) are ready to the Torah, and even if they were living in Nazareth accept their fate and to die, but before dying they want and Yeshua was born in Bethlehem, they wanted to help G-ds people in their war against the Syrians. to perform their religious duty in the Temple of Now there were four leprous men outside the city gate, Jerusalem. who said to one another, Why should we sit here until It is written in the Besorah of Luke On the we die? If we say, Let us enter the city, the famine is in the city, and we shall die there (2Kings 7:3-4). Usually, eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, in Israel leprous are unclean people, people considered as he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given cursed by the L-rd. But the story of this Haftara shows him before he had been conceived. (Luke 2:21) us a complete different perception of leprous, and these And again after Myriams purification it is written four men are going to be used by the L-rd to deliver Israel When the time of their purification according from her enemy and their army. For the L-rd had caused to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, and of and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one to the Lord (Luke 2:22). Circumcision and another, The king of Israel has hired the kings of the presentation of a baby have always been important Hittites and the kings of Egypt to fight against us. So moments in a Jewish family. But it was much more they fled away in the twilight and abandoned their tents, important for Yeshua, because when they were in their horses, and their donkeys leaving the camp just as it Yerushalayim they met two prophets, the first one was, and fled for their lives (2Kings 7:6-7). called Simeon, who is presented in the Besorah After eating and drinking in the tents of their enemies as a Tsadik (a righteous) and someone who was they decided to go to the Jewish camp and to say to the waiting for the Mashiach. When he saw the king of Israel what happened, So they went after them as baby Yeshua he received a vision from the Ruach far as the Jordan; the whole way was littered with garments Hakodesh. He took the baby in his arms and said and equipment that the Arameans had thrown away in Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now their haste. So the messengers returned, and told the dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have king (2Kings 7:15). Israel was saved. It is a great lesson seen your salvation, which you have prepared in for us, how many times we have some prejudices against some people, thinking that in their condition they can be the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the blessed or even be a blessing for anyone. But the Lord like Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. (Luke to surprise us and to take some special ways we have not 2:28-32). The second prophet was an old lady called Anna, she is presented as a very devout old thought before. widow who never left the Temple, praying day and night, and it is written that when she saw Myriam, Yoseph and Yeshua Coming up to them at that Brit Hachadasha very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke Luke 2:21-39 about the child to all who were looking forward to ur Parasha Tazriah, commands to circumcise the redemption of Jerusalem. That means she also every boy at the age of eight days. On the received the revelation that this boy would bring eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. (Lev redemption to Israel.

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