Parashat Metzora 5782 / פָּרָשַׁת מְּצֹרָע
9 April 2022 / 8 Nisan 5782
Parashat Metzora is the 28th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Torah Portion: Leviticus 14:1-15:33 https://tikkun.io/#/r/3-14-1
Metzora opens by describing the purification process and accompanying sacrifices for one infected with tzaraat, a discoloration condition on the skin. It then describes the process of treating a house infected with tzaraat and the ritual impurity generated by certain bodily discharges.
Triennial year 3
1: 14:33-38 · 6 p’sukim ·
2: 14:39-47 · 9 p’sukim ·
3: 14:48-53 · 6 p’sukim ·
4: 14:54-15:7 · 11 p’sukim ·
5: 15:8-15 · 8 p’sukim ·
6: 15:16-28 · 13 p’sukim ·
7: 15:29-33 · 5 p’sukim ·
maf: 15:31-33 · 3 p’sukim
Haftarah*: Malachi 3:4-24 · 21 p’sukim *Shabbat HaGadol
Commentary and Divrei Torah:
This week’s Torah portion, Metzora, continues the laws of purity discussed in the previous parashat, Tazria. Towards the end, in our triennial portion, Torah addresses the laws of purity revolving around the physical sexual act. As Torah uses the word for purity, it is also about personal cleanliness and hygiene.
When two adults are physically intimate with each other, there is, of course, an exchange of bodily fluids. This act exposes them to the possibility of infections as their personal physical barriers are breached. Torah has the insight to impose hygienic processes to prevent as much as possible, intrusions to personal health and well-being. Personal hygiene, then, is seen as a spiritual purity as well.
Shabbat HaGadol 2022 / שַׁבָּת הַגָּדוֹל 5782
Shabbat before Pesach 🕍
Shabbat HaGadol for Hebrew Year 5782 begins at sundown on Friday, 8 April 2022 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, 9 April 2022. This corresponds to Parashat Metzora.
Shabbat HaGadol ("Great Shabbat" שבת הגדול) is the Shabbat immediately before Passover. There is a special Haftarah reading on this Shabbat of the book of Malachi. Traditionally a lengthy and expansive sermon is given to the general community in the afternoon.