This week’s Parsha discusses a person who has Tzaraat (leprosy). The Passuk (14:9) tells us that part of the purification process, is that the Metzorah (person with leprosy) must shave the hair on his head. Why is this so? The Klei Yakar tells us the reason, and it is so beautiful, that I have to share it.
What is the reason a person gets Tzaraat? There are three Aveirot that can cause it: a) the person was arrogantly superior and disdainful, b) he spoke Lashon Harah, or c) he was jealous of people. All of these things can cause a person to get Tzaraat. The Metzorah shaves the top of his head, so he should not hold his head high. His beard and mustache are around his mouth, to tell him to watch his mouth, and his eyebrows get taken off, to remind him to stop looking at what other people have.
Friends, let’s take these three things and learn from them, that when we are put into a matzav (situation), yes, you should have self esteem, but don’t get too full of yourself, don’t be jealous of others, and never speak bad about anyone. If we would just accept the matzav that Hashem puts us in, we would all be in better shape.
So let’s pray that Hashem only puts us in a good matzav and let’s pray for the recovery of all the sick, for the release of the hostages, as well as praying for our soldiers and healthcare professionals, and Chevra Kadisha members worldwide, and for those who need healing, shidduchim, children and parnassah and may we be blessed to have the most awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, peaceful, healthy, amazing, relaxed, spiritual, sweet, happy Shabbat and Chag Kasher Vesameach.
NUMBER OF MITZVOT: 11
MITZVOT ASEH: 11
MITZVOT LO TAASEH: NONE
NUMBER OF PESUKIM: 90
NUMBER OF WORDS: 1274
NUMBER OF LETTERS: 4697
This year, (5784 / 2024) Parshat Metzora is a special Shabbat. It is Shabbat HaGadol: (Lit. 'the Great Shabbat');
The Shabbat preceding Pesach is called Shabbat HaGadol because it was the day when the Jews were to take the lamb to be used for the Korban Pesach four days later. (This means that the first Pesach was on a Wednesday).
After nine plagues, the Egyptians were powerless to react to the slaughter of one of their gods. The Bnei Yisrael, of course, didn't know this, and therefore displayed tremendous faith in Hashem prior to Yetziat Mitzrayim. We remember this event with a special Haftorah, Malachi 3:4 - 24, where again great faith and trust in Hashem is emphasized. The Haftorah concludes with the call to remember the teachings of Moshe and informs us that Hashem will send Eliyahu Hanavi to herald the great and awesome day when Bnei Yisrael will again experience redemption. This is yet another possible reason for the name Shabbat HaGadol, - that "great day" mentioned in the Haftorah.
Traditionally on Shabbat HaGadol the Rabbi lectures about the observance and meaning of Pesach to his congregation, teaching the laws of Pesach, so that the families can prepare properly for the Chag. Which leads to another interpretation of Shabbat HaGadol - "the Shabbat of the Leader" or of the Rabbi. A more novel explanation is that the people returning from the synagogue later than usual on this Shabbat because of the unusually long speech that was customary on this day. Thus this Shabbat seemed "great," i.e., longer than the other Shabbatot.
Whatever the reason for the name, it is customary to recite part of the Haggadah on Shabbat HaGadol, from " עבדים היינו - Avadim Hayinu" to "לכפר על כל עוונותינו - Lechaper Al Kol Avonoteinu."
HAFTORA: Malachi II 3:4-24 (repeating verse 23 at the end).
