We are currently observing the period of the Sefirat Haomer. The minhagim of Sefirah are similar in some ways to those of the Three Weeks and Nine Days, as they include certain aspects of aveilut (mourning). Why? Because we are meant to remember the twenty-four thousand talmidim of Rabbi Akiva who
At the beginning of parshat Emor, the pasuk begins with "Emor el hakohanim"—say to the kohanim. Immediately following, it says "Vamarta aleyhem"—and
Parashat Tazria discusses the laws of ritual impurity caused by childbirth and the conditions surrounding tzaraas (commonly translated as “leprosy”)
Parashat Metzora continues the theme of purification with a detailed process for cleansing a person who has recovered from tzaraas. The afflicted
