Parshat Tzaria

By Rabbi Shlomo Zargari:

Shalom, this Shabbat is a very special one; we have the merit of taking out three Sifrei Torah: the parasha of the week plus the Rosh Hodesh parasha of the first day of the month of Nissan, and the Parashat HaHodesh.

This Parashat HaHodesh is read halfway between Purim and Pesah, between one redemption and the other as the Talmud in Megila 6b describes it and it’s connected to both.

Our Hachamim taught us that this parasha hints at rejuvenation ( Vayikra Rabba 29,6) to shake off the habits of the past and open a new page moving forward.

This rejuvenation and renewal took place on Purim when we re-accepted the Holy Torah all over again, as it says: “ קיימו וקיבלו היהודים עליהם ועל זרעם” ( Megilat Ester 9,27)
“The Jewish people accepted upon themselves and their descendants…”

And we have a renewal on Pesah, when we pulled ourselves away from the activities of idol worship and designated a sheep for an offering to HaShem! We distanced ourselves from the 49th level of impurity and ascended all the way to Mount Sinai to accept the Holy Torah. Similar to this will be the renewal which we’ll have very soon by the coming of Mashish Sidkenu as the Talmud in Sanhedrin 97b says: the nation will be redeemed through Teshuva. We are always waiting for it especially in Nissan as it says: “In Nissan they were redeemed and in Nissan they will be redeemed in the future” ( Rosh Hashana 11A).

The interesting point is that we read this Parasha AFTER Purim and BEFORE Pesah! On Purim, the awakening happened AFTER the redemption because of the miracle that occurred. The coming redemption, just like the redemption in Egypt, will require the awakening and renewal BEFORE! Just like at the time of the exodus, the redemption happened after we started believing more in HaShem and performing the Misvot… We need to do the same now BEFORE the coming redemption!!

We call Parashat HaHodesh, Parashat Hithadeshut (renewal) so that we can ready ourselves in body and soul!

Shabbat Shalom