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This week’s Parshah, Tazria-Metzora, begins by teaching us the laws concerning a child’s birth. Hashem tells Moshe to[1] “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, “If a woman conceives and gives birth to a male, she shall be unclean for seven days. Just as in the days of her menstrual flow, shall she be unclean.'” Rashi cites the words “If a woman conceives” and writes as follows. “Rabbi Simla’i said, ‘Just as in the Creation, Hashem created a man after all domestic animals, wild beasts, and birds, so too, the law of man is stated after the law of domestic animals, wild beasts, and birds.'”
This means that Hashem created all of the animals and beasts before the man in the story of creation. The same is valid here. Last week’s Torah Portion, Tzav, concluded by teaching us animals, beasts, and bird’s purity and impurity, beasts, and birds. Our Parshah follows this by teaching us of the purity of people.
We need to understand the connection between the two. Rashi writes that
“Just as… so too …” This implies that the two are equal. Creation and purity are identical to each other. Why should this be so?
We can understand this based on the Alter Rebbe’s words in Tanya. In a specific manner, people are inferior to animals. A person has free will, which makes it possible to sin. The same is not true of an animal, who cannot possibly sin.
The difference between man and beast does not just relate to actual sin; it is the ability to sin. Therefore, the difference between the creation of animals and humans directly corresponds to their purity/impurity.
May we all make the correct and proper choice to follow Hashem. Thereby we will bring the redemption now!
I wish one and all a good Shabbos and a healthy summer!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos Volume 7, Page 74
DEDICATED IN HONOR OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
מוקדש לזכות כ”ק אדמו”ר נשיא דורנו מליובאוויטש
IN HONOR OF
The Soldiers of Tzivos Hashem Chaim and Aiden Oded שיחיו Morris
DEDICATED BY THEIR PARENTS
Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem M. and Chaya Mushka שיחיו Morris
לזכות
חיילי “צבאות השם” חיים ועדן עודד שיחיו מאריס
נדפס ע”י הוריהם
הרה”ת ר’ מנחם מענדל וזוגתו מרת חי’ מושקא שיחיו מאריס
Dedicated by Mr. Raziel שיחי’ Gates
[1]. Our Parshah, Vayikroh 12:2.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 