Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person “goes up” to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.

1st Aliya: The laws of purity and impurity as they pertain to child-birth are discussed. The basic laws of Tzaraat involving the diagnosis of the Kohain and possible quarantine, as well as the laws of Tzarrat as it relates to healthy skin and infection are stated.

2nd and 3rd Aliya:The laws of Tzaraat as it relates to burns, a bald patch, dull white spots, and the presence of a blemish on clothing is discussed.

4th Aliya: The purification process of the Mitzora involving two Kosher birds, a piece of cedar, some crimson wool, a hyssop branch, fresh spring water, s clay bowl, a Kohain, the Mikveh, seven days, a haircut and a Korban with its Mincha offering is detailed.

5th Aliya: The Korban of a Mitzorah who is poor is discussed.

6th and 7th Aliya:The laws dealing with blemishes that appear on a house are detailed. Following the laws of Tzaraat, the Torah turns is attention to various laws dealing with bodily discharges that render the individual Tameh. Male discharges, seminal discharges, menstruation, and other female discharges are detailed. Note that the basic laws of Family Purity are stated in verses 15:19-26.

Haftorah Tazria/Metzorah
II Kings 7:3-20

This week’s Haftorah is from Kings II Capt. 7. It took place during the reign of Yehoram who ruled over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Yehoram was a sinful king whose actions resulted in Aram laying siege to the capitol city Shomron causing a terrible famine. The famine was so severe that mothers were eating their own children.

Yehoram confronted the prophet Elisha demanding that he bring an end to the siege and the hunger. Elisha told Yehoram that G-d would perform a miracle the next day and there would be so much food that the food market would bottom out.

There were four lepers (the most obvious connection to our Parsha) who had been banished too outside the walls of Shomron. Like the rest of the people, they were starving from the famine and decided to chance approaching the enemy camp in hope of begging some food or at the very worst, a quick death.

During the night Hashem had performed a miracle and the massive forces of Aram had fled during the night leaving behind their tents, horses, and supplies.

The Lepers returned to Shomron and informed Yehoram about the miraculous events. Yehoram investigated the report and confirmed the miracle. The people of Shomron were allowed out of the besieged city and plunder the vacated enemy camp. The massive amount of food was so great that the price of food immediately plummeted and bottomed out as Elisha had prophesied.