The laws of Tumah v’Taharah: Ritual Impurity and Purity

The Parshahs of Tazria and Metzora continue the discussion of the laws of Tumah v’Taharah, ritual impurity and purity.

All male infants are to be circumcised on the eighth day of life. Tzaraat is a type of leprosy that can afflict people as well as garments or homes. When patches appear, the person has to dwell alone outside of the camp until a Kohen has pronounced him and/or his belongings as Tamei (impure) or Tahor (pure).

An afflicted person must be healed and purified by the Kohen, with special procedures that involve birds, spring water in an earthen vessel, a piece of cedar wood, a scarlet thread and a bundle of hyssop.

Ritual impurity can also happen through various discharges in a man, and in a woman, necessitating purification through immersion in a Mikvah.

Question for the week: The laws of purity are discussed in this portion. Are these laws important today? Why?

Portions were taken from chabad.com

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