Shabbat comes in 7.31pm: goes out 8.36pm
Parshat Tazria deals primarily with afflictions like leprosy, skin lesions and mould in a house. Most of these plagues have been given a metaphorical or spiritual interpretation by the rabbis. The commentator known as the Kli Yakar explains that the house plague was a punishment for stinginess. He explains that this person’s sin was that he did not use this house to benefit others as well.
The Kli Yakar teaches that homeowners that do not fulfill their obligation to open their homes to guests and to the needy will eventually be driven from their homes. It’s a worthy lesson to remember as we approach the holiday of Pesach in which we are called upon to share our food with all who are hungry.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Paul Arberman
