TAZRIY’A תַזְרִ֔יעַ (Conceived) LEVITICUS 12:1-13:59

PROPHETS : EZEKIEL 45:16-46:18| GOSPEL : LUKE 2:22-35

by Min. Donald H. Garrett

TORAH:

This parashah starts off dealing with the conception and birthing of 🚼children. It specifically separates the woman for different periods depending on the sex of the child. 7 days for males and 14 days for females. The Torah goes on to specify days of purity. This is a separation from the Temple/Sanctuary and from Sacred things. It is 33 days for birthing males and 66 days for birthing females. All total: a woman was to take time away for giving birth, 40 days for males and 80 days for females. Today, we give them maternity leave from jobs, but it’s not exactly the same.

Some people condemn this portion concerning the contamination (Tanach)/unclean(KJV) words. The saying goes that it is a wonderful, blessed experience, not an unclean thing. Women shouldn’t be separated from husband/society or put away, they say. Ok, did anyone ever think that YaHVaH has His reasons for this? How much better off would society be if women and men took time to honor YaH’s Word and spent some time apart. Even society knows that separation makes the heart grow fonder. Then, let’s realize the actual separation isn’t but for a week or two, and not completely. It’s more for sexual relations and time for the mother to recuperate.

Look at the other section concerning the 33 and 66 days. What is this meaning? It’s not separation from people or husband, but rather from sacred things and sanctuary activity. So get with it people, mothers should have a special time with their newborns before returning to sacred activities. When they do return, they should bring sacrifices to offer. In temple times, this would have been 2 altar sacrifices. Today, this must be in made in other ways, monetarily and/or worship. New mothers shouldn’t go running around showing off their delicate newborns all over the place right away. Give themselves a bonding period and time to reflect on YaH’s grace.

Chapter 13 deals with tzaraas, commonly translated as leprosy. However, the sages disagree that this is what we know as true leprosy. Instead, they say this is a spiritual disease set upon an individual for sins of slander, bloodshed, false oaths, sexual immorality, pride, robbery, and selfishness. The tzaraas mentioned are white patches on the skin, and according to the Torah section, tzaraas can be healed. Read Chapter 13:46, “All the days that the affliction is upon him …” implies there is a time or a way to heal the affliction. Secondly, verses 47 to 59 talk of the tzaraas on a garment proving this cannot be the leprosy we think of today. Garments cannot catch leprosy, but they can be divinely discolored or contaminated. How do you do away with tzaraas? Through repentance of sin, making amends, and visiting the priest, rabbi, or pastor for inspection.

GOSPEL:

For those of you who still say we should not follow the Torah about separation and days of purity, then what about this portion of the Gospel. Yeshua’s parents obeyed Leviticus 12 and brought Him to the Temple after the days of Mary’s purification (40 days) to present Him and offer the sacrifices. It is here that Simeon, a pious and just man, was awaiting to see the Messiah. When he saw Yeshua, he took Him into his arms, blessed Him, and announced he had finally seen YaH’s salvation. He could die in peace. Mary and Joseph didn’t understand, but it was all in YaH’s timing. So if it is good enough for the Lord Yeshua, isn’t it good enough for us today? Mothers have gotten maternity leave from work for some time now; though a lot of companies do not give the mother much time. However, that is changing as more and more companies are extending the leave and also giving fathers maternity leave as well. I believe YaH wants us to take the time to bond with the newborn. It’s possible we would have more dedicated parents today if we followed the Torah instructions on the separation after birth.

(c) Copyright April 2021 Min. Donald H. Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.

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