Torah Study Questions

Tazria - Conceived

Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1-13:59

Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas

Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically? What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play? What is the significance of each role? Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play? What is the significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha? What are the subdivisions, if any?

Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Preliminary questions from the Torah study

What does it mean to be tamei? How does one enter the state of being tamei? What does it mean to be tahor? What was a person able to do when he was tahor that he could not do when he was tamei? How did a person go from being tamei to being tahor? What was symbolized by this process? If one had sinned in the process of becoming tamei, what additional steps may be required? What two great spiritual realms are pictured by these states of tamei and tahor?

How does Rav Sha'ul describe the spiritual progression that leads to the Kingdom of Sin and Death? Who was the key person in this progression? What does participating in this Kingdom signify in relationship to YHVH? What is the final result for those who stay therein? Who is the one who brought in the Kingdom of Life and Righteousness? How may this Kingdom be simply described? What is the final result for those who stay therein? What do we learn from the writings of Ya'akov, the brother of Y'shua, about these two kingdoms?

Chapter 12

Why is a woman who gives birth to a male child tamei? How long did she remained in that condition? What happens to that child on the 8th day? What is significant about that day physiologically for a male child? For how much longer is the mother forbidden from entering the Mikdash (sanctuary or holy place)? How long does a woman who gives birth to a female child remain tamei? For how much longer is she forbidden from entering the Mikdash?

What two types of offerings does she bring upon the completion of her days of purity? What items are offered and who offers them? What may she substitute if she cannot afford a sheep?

In what ways did Miryam and Yosef comply with the loving instructions of this parsha after the birth of Y'shua? What can we deduce about them from the description of the items offered?

Chapter 13

To whom was a person brought if it was thought that he had developed tzara'at? What two criteria were used to determine if it was tzara'at and the person was tamei? What happened if the diagnosis was uncertain? What happened after that period of time passed? What two criteria were used to determine if the person was tahor and did not have tzara'at? What did the person do to complete the process of becoming tahor? What was the diagnosis if the condition had spread on the skin?

Why are the next 35 verses so hard to understand? Are they relevant to us today? Why or why not? What modern disease is tzara'at usually identified with? Is this correct? Why or why not?

Beginning in v. 45, what happened to the one diagnosed with tzara'at? What happened to a garment so designated? What if the Kohen decided it was not contaminated with tzara'at?

What was the primary role of the Kohen in relationship to the determination of tzara'at? What role did he not play? Was a person healed or cleansed? From whom did the healing/cleansing come? What prominent person is an example of tzara'at and its cleansing? What spiritual explanation for tzara'at was offered by the rabbis after the destruction of the Temple? What progression of tzara'at did they see and what was it's apparent purpose? What is the key common denominator with all of the sins associated with tzara'at? What two types of speech transgressions are associated with tzara'at? How does Rav Sha'ul describe such speech? What lesson are we to learn from this?

What involvement did Y'shua have with those with tzara'at? What happened as a result of his contact with them? What instruction did he give them after this? Did Y'shua visit the home of a leper or one with tzara'at? Why or why not? What incident occurred in that home to justify your understanding?

Closing Questions:

What were G-d's purposes and objectives in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day? What benefit do these Scriptures have for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the group study?

For personal introspection -- What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life? How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently ask the Ruach HaKodesh to implant these words of our Father like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully as they do.