Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Tazria/0/en
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Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Tazria
Tzara'at: Natural Disease or Divine Punishment?
Among the many mysteries of Tanakh, Tzara'at ranks high on the list of unknowns. What is this malady? Why does a person get afflicted? Is it a natural disease that anyone can contract, or is it a Divinely sent, supernatural phenomenon, meant as punishment for sin? Contrast the understanding of Chazal and Ralbag in Tzara'at, and debate each position at your Shabbat Table.
- Look at all the cases in Tanakh in which someone is plagued by Tzara'at. If the malady is understood as a punishment, can you find a common offense perpetrated by each of those afflicted?
- Why does tzara'at cause impurity? Compare the various instances of impurity in Torah. Is there any common denominator which might explain why specifically these conditions defile a person?
