Some Questions to Ponder:
I liked the Hakham’s comments on 1Tsefet 5:12, and
especially: “It is therefore necessary and logical that Luke/Hillel would have
spent some considerable time training under Hakham Tsefet.”
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:33-35 - Plague in a house –
Owners observation.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:35-37 - Plague in a house –
Kohen’s observation.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:38-42 - Plague in a house –
After 7 days.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:43-47 - Plague in a house –
After 14 days.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:48-57 - Plague in a house –
Clean process.
and
I place a lesion of tzara’ath – Why did
HaShem place Tzarath in a house?
Something
like a lesion has appeared to me in the house – What is the purpose of this phrasing?
before
the kohen comes... – What happens when
the kohen arrives?
so
that everything in the house should not become unclean - What items in a house are “at risk” if the kohen declares the house
unclean?
they
remove the stones – What is the meaning
of וְחִלְּצוּ?
to
an unclean place – Where is this place
and what is its significance?
Then
the kohen shall come and look [at it]. Now, [if] the lesion...has spread - What is the
time frames involved in this process?
But
if the kohen comes [...] and comes [again] –
When does the kohen come?
and
looks [at the lesion], and behold, the lesion did not spread – What does this phrase come to teach us?
V.34 teaches us that the plague is from HaShem and
v.57 tells us why He puts a plague on a house.
1Tsefet 5:12 – Strengthening
Isaiah 61:10 – 63:9
Isa 61 verses 10,11
Isa 62 verses 1,4,8,10
Isa 63 verses 1,3,4,5,9
The verbal tallies between the Torah and
the Psalm are:
Brought / Come - בוא, Strong’s
number 0935.
Land / Earth - ארץ, Strong’s
number 0776.
Put / Give / Delivered - נתן, Strong’s
number 05414.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:33 And the LORD spake unto Moses
and unto Aaron, saying,
34 When ye be come <0935> (8799) into the
land <0776> of Canaan, which I give <05414> (8802) to you for a
possession, and I put <05414> (8804) the plague of leprosy in a house of
the land of your possession;
Tehillim (Psalm) 78:71 From following
the ewes great with young he brought <0935> him to feed Jacob his people,
and Israel his inheritance.
Tehillim (Psalm) 78:69 And he built
his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth <0776> which he hath
established for ever.
Tehillim (Psalm) 78:61 And
delivered <05414> his strength into captivity, and his glory into the
enemy’s hand.
Tehillim (Psalm) 78:66 And he
smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put <05414> them to a perpetual
reproach.
Thematically,
they both speak of houses (HaShem’s and ours) and they both speak of the
consequences, in the land, of our sins.
The verbal tallies between the Torah and
the Ashlamata are:
HaShem - יהוה, Strong’s
number 03068.
Land / Earth - ארץ, Strong’s
number 0776.
House - בית, Strong’s
number 01004.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:33 And the LORD
<03068> spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
34 When ye be come into the land <0776> of
Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy
in a house <01004> of the land <0776> of your possession;
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 5:8 Woe unto them
that join house <01004> to house <01004>, that lay field to field,
till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth
<0776>!
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 5:9 In mine ears
said the LORD <03068> of hosts, Of a truth many houses
<01004> shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 5:12 And the harp,
and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they
regard not the work of the LORD <03068>, neither consider the operation
of his hands.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 5:16 But the LORD
<03068> of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall
be sanctified in righteousness.
Thematically,
both speak of vacant houses and of those in danger of dwelling alone (the
selfish and the speaker of lashon hara).
The verbal tallies between the Torah and
the special Ashlamata are:
HaShem - יהוה, Strong’s
number 03068.
Speak - דבר, Strong’s
number 01696.
Say - אםר, Strong’s
number 0559.
Brought / Come - בוא, Strong’s
number 0935.
Land / Earth - ארץ, Strong’s
number 0776.
Put / Give / Delivered - נתן, Strong’s
number 05414.
House - בית, Strong’s
number 01004.
Vayikra (Leviticus) 14:33 And the LORD
<03068> spake <01696> (8762) unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying
<0559> (8800), 34 When ye be come <0935> (8799) into the land
<0776> of Canaan, which I give <05414> (8802) to you for a
possession, and I put <05414> (8804) the plague of leprosy in a house
<01004> of the land <0776> of your possession;
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 61:10 I will greatly
rejoice in the LORD <03068>, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he
hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the
robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a
bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 61:11 For as the
earth <0776> bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things
that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD <03068> will cause
righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 62:4 Thou shalt no
more be termed <0559> Forsaken; neither shall thy land <0776> any
more be termed <0559> Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and
thy land Beulah: for the LORD <03068> delighteth in thee, and thy land shall
be married.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 62:7 And give
<05414> him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a
praise in the earth <0776>.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 62:8 The LORD
<03068> hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength,
Surely I will no more give <05414> thy corn to be meat for thine enemies;
and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast
laboured:
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 62:11 Behold, the
LORD <03068> hath proclaimed unto the end of the world <0776>, Say
<0559> ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh
<0935>; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 63:1 Who is this
that cometh <0935> from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that
is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that
speak <01696> in righteousness, mighty to save.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 63:4 For the day of
vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come <0935>.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 63:8 For he said
<0559>, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was
their Saviour.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 63:6 And I will
tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will
bring down their strength to the earth <0776>.
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 63:7 I will mention
the lovingkindnesses of the LORD , and the praises of the LORD <03068>,
according to all that the LORD <03068> hath bestowed on us, and the
great goodness toward the house <01004> of Israel, which he hath bestowed
on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his
lovingkindnesses.
Thematically,
they both speak of the joy that will result from repentance. This will affect
what is said, it will affect their habitations, and it will affect the land.
Vayikra 14:33-57:The Torah Seder is primarily
concerned with the house of a tza’arat regarding the ritual impurity generated
by tzaraat and various discolorations
described in the Torah of a house. This mitzvah includes all the laws
associated with tzaraat of the house: under what circumstances does the house
require quarantine, razing part of its walls, or complete demolition; and under
what circumstances it becomes impure, and under what circumstances it can cause
impurity to humans or objects.
All of these conditions condemn the house and property
of the tzara’at. Hakham Tsefet uses the
word “Shalom” in his postscript. The
word shalom does not only mean peace.
Shalom contains the idea of complete restoration. I would conclude that the Leper has experienced
“shalom” in his repentance. His
possessions, property and health are all restored.
B’midbar 28:9-15: I believe that we can see that
Hakham Tsefet alludes to the “beginning of months” in the fact that he is
ending his letter before Rosh HaShanah.
He will begin a new letter for Shabbat Teshuvah.
Yeahayahu 5:16. And the L-rd of Hosts will be exalted
in judgment, and the Holy God shall be hallowed with equity. Could be seen as a
allusion to Rosh HaShanah. This would
again connect to Hakham Tsefet’s conclusory remarks for the seventh Shabbat of
Nachamu and the coming of Rosh HaShanah.
However the “the deed of His hands” is found in verse 12 which we also
see in Tehillim “and with the skill of his hands he led them.” The skill of his hands thematically connects
to Tsefet in that “logizomai” and “graphō” are the skill or deeds of men’s
hands as they wrote the Letter of Tsefet.
Likewise, His Eminence has underlined the words of the
thirteenth verse. Therefore, My people shall go into exile because of lack of
knowledge, perhaps he is alluding to the connection between the exile and
Babylon who housed the dominate population of exiled Jews.
The word house is a verbal tally in Yehayahu 5:8. The
theme of the house is played upon throughout the entire Torah readings. Rashi’s
comments on Vayikra 14:34 are profound in that G-d inflicts the plague for a
purpose. The theme of the house is
contrary to the lack of shelter. Her we
can see the comfort of G-d in providing a good house. I believe that there is even a slight
connection to Hakham Tsefet’s pericope this week. “The congregation of Babylon greets
you.” While the word “congregation” is
not present, it is firmly insinuated.
The congregation is often referred to as “beit” house. Again this plays
on all the imagery and concepts that should be found in the “house.”
Special Ashlamatah: Yeshayahu 61:10-63:9, The Prophet
is offering consolation and comfort to Yisrael.
This special Ashlamatah is well suited to Shabbat Nachamu #7. In much
the same way, Hakham Tsefet offers his final words of comfort and strengthening
to his audience.
1 Shemuel 20:18 & 42 I believe that we can see
that Hakham Tsefet alludes to the “beginning of months” in the fact that he is
ending his letter before Rosh HaShanah.
He will begin a new letter for Shabbat Teshuvah.
Tehillim 78:56-72:
The final phrase of Tehillim is “and with the skill of his hands he led
them” referring to the skill of David’s hands.
The skill of his hands thematically connects to Tsefet in that “logizomai”
and “graphō” are the skill of men’s hands as they wrote the Letter of
Tsefet.
Strengthen the congregation. (Amida)
He is teaching us that it important to use words of
encouragement and strength to reassure us and others of what is correct, and
thus help them endure the sufferings that will be seen and experienced.
a.) Jewish
prayers are one of the greatest means to bring strength and consolation to
mankind.
b.) The relationship between Hakham and tamid is a
strong bond that has positive effects on the individual and also the community
as a whole.
b.) New
converts must be eased into the community slowly, allowing them to become
steadfast in the workings of Torah observance and community life.
1. Strengthening
2. Prayer – standing (Amidah)
3. Greet each other with a kiss demonstrates the need
for harmony and unity.
HaShem’s concern:
For the pottery in a house and His concern for those going through
difficult emotions.
Just as there must be a time of quarantine for the
house, there must also be a time for people to suffer grief and cool down from
anger before a final judgment can be made.
Rabbi Ya’akov speaks of timing. The Torah Seder is permeated with timings.
There is a time to declare what one sees in the house to the Cohen. In addition, there is a time for the Cohen to
declare the house clean or unclean.
Likewise, there is a time to offer appropriate ritual sacrifices. Timing is everything.
Gam zu laTova! The timing of HaShem is determined by
very concise words.
Torah is not in chronological order!
Be very careful what you say, and pay attention to the
needs of others as The King approaches.
Chazak! Chazak! Venischazeik! (Be Strong! Be Strong!
And may we be strengthened!)
Providence, prayer (Amidah) Love -- Let these things guide us in the coming
days.
At times when emotions run high, it is best to remain
silent, lest we add fuel to the fire.