Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue

Parsha #28 M'tzorz (person afflicted with tzara'at) Leviticus  14: 1-15:33

Haftarah: M'lakhim Bet (2 Kings) 7: 3-20

B’rit Hadashah: Mattiyahu (Matthew) 9: 20-26, Mark 5: 24-34; Luke 8: 42-48: Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 13:4

Parasha:

Last week YHVH explained to Moshe and Aaron the laws of tzara'at. This week we examine the process for someone who is afflicted with tzara'at, the Metzora to re-enter the camp, to regain fellowship with Israel and therefore with YHVH Elohim.

The Torah teaches that the person who is cured of tzara'at must bring two live kosher (permitted) birds, a piece of cedar, some crimson wool, and a hyssop branch. Why these particular items?

The Sages teach that since tazra'at is brought on by haughtiness (pride), the items brought relate to this sin. The cedar because it is a large tree that grows to tremendous heights. This represents the haughtiness of the person bringing it. The crimson wool and the hyssop branch are considered very lowly and show the person that in order to attain forgiveness he must try to become like them, humble and modest. 

Where do the birds fit in? And why is one bird killed why the other is given its freedom? The Sages contemplate that it tells us something about the other sin attributed to tzara'at and that is lashon hara (the evil tongue) or speaking evil about someone. The two birds symbolize the gossip and slander that  the person with tzara'at spoke. 

The Cohen slaughters one of the birds and pours its blood into a vessel accentuating that a person speaking evil of someone brings pain and suffering to another. Simply and innocent life given to atone for the actions of another. In this way perhaps it will cause the person to stop talking in ways that hurt others. However, this message is thought by the Sages to be so strong that the person who is guilty may then withdraw from society altogether living the life of a hermit. That's why the second bird is set free to fly among other birds. The lesson here is that life must go on and withdrawal is not the answer, but control of ourselves is what YHVH demands. We are to find the proper balance between watching what we say and functioning as useful, active members of society. 

Another question I want to address here is the matter of a woman who is considered impure during her menstrual cycle (called a niddah). Why?

This law is known as a chochim. A law given with no reason given. First, it is not for hygiene. A woman in not unhygienic during her menses, so why must a couple abstain from sexual relations for seven days after a woman’s menstrual cycle. Why must they wait another seven days?

The menstrual cycle is the result of an unfertilized egg. The woman sloughs off the lining, which was prepared to sustain the potential life as well as the potential life (egg) that is now dead. Here we see two unclean products; the dead or unfertilized egg and the dead lining or corpus luteum. This is the lining that would have sustained the fertilized egg for three months after fertilization. Now to the seven days of abstinence.

Abstaining from sexual relations for seven days after the cessation of bleeding brings the woman to the most fertile period in her cycle! This is also called the advanced follicular stage, which overlaps into the ovulation phase whereby another egg is released with the potential for fertilization. How about that YHVH!

I hope this information helps to clarify once again, that nothing is illogical in YHVH’s economy; maybe not understood by man, but not illogical.

B’rit Chadasha

Luke 8:42  for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes were pressing against Him.

Luke 8:43  And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,

Luke 8:44  came up behind Him, and touched the fringe of His cloak; and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.

Luke 8:45  And Yahshua said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes are crowding and pressing upon You."

Luke 8:46  But Yahshua said, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me."

Luke 8:47  And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.

Luke 8:48  And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." (NASB New American Standard Bible)

As Messianic believers we all know that the woman with the issue of blood in this scripture touched Yahshua’s tzitzit that as a Torah observant Jew He would have been wearing on the four corners of His garment. This scene requires that we know something about tzitzit.

Tzitzit are referred to in Scripture as Tassels of greatness (G’dilium). Tzitzit are eight strings wound together and secured by knots then added to each corner of a four-cornered garment. What is this garment with “Tassels of greatest?”  During prayer services, the tzitzit are affixed to a large prayer shawl and is known as a Tallit. The tzitzit themselves are attached to two different kinds of garments. During the day, OT Jews wore them as an outer garment called a Tallitkatan and  modern  Jews wear under their shirt a garment called arba kanfot (four corners). This garment is placed over the head like a poncho. At religious services the Tallit is used.[1]  The law concerning the ritual fringes known as tzitzit  is one of relatively few biblical laws for which the Torah offers a reason: “ And you shall see (the fringes at the corner of the garment) and remember all the commandments of YHVH and observe them” (Numbers 15.39) [2]  Yahshua wore one of these every day of His life. And every day of His life except on Shabbat he donned Telfillin [3] and prayed toward the direction of Jerusalem. I believe the early assemblies wore the Tallit because it would certainly have been the custom with its predominantly Jewish constituency, which prevailed until about 100 AD.

How can we be sure that Yahshua wore the Tallit daily? Because He was an observant Jew, perfect in the law. No other proof is necessary. Since the Law was given on Sinai observant Jews have worn Tallit every waking moment for at least 3000 years. I cannot but believe Yahshua wore and used a Tallit to pray in the synagogue, as was the custom then and now. Furthermore,  I believe He will be wearing a Tallit when He comes at His second appearing as indicated in the Book of Revelation. 

 Some scholars have also suggested that when the scriptures identify Sha’ul as a “tent-maker,” they were actually referring to his being a Tallit maker. A Tallit being likened to a tent. I am also inclined to believe this. The Greek texts do not seem to have a proper word for Tallit and the Greek word denoting tentmaker[4] when addressed to believers may have been something understood in that day as representing the Tallit, but is lost to us now. We also have to think who were his customers, the early assemblies that Sha’ul reached were primarily urbane and to my thinking without the need for a tent, but very much in need of a Tallit the Hebrew congregations.

There are two passages that command us to wear fringes or tassels. In  Numbers 15:37-40. we read:

37  The LORD said to Moses,

38  "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

39  You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

40  Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your G-d.[5]

Secondly we also read in Deut. 22:11-12

11  Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.

12  Make tassels ( g’dilium)  on the four corners of the cloak you wear. (New Int’l Version)

These two commandments together command G-d’s people to remind themselves of His commandments and keep holy by placing a fringe or tassel on each corner of their garments, especially to place a blue thread with each fringe, an especially to place them on a four-cornered cloak or covering. Apparently, G-d did not feel compelled to reveal the complete truth to the Hebrews regarding the tzizitot, as we shall see. That’s why its so important to have a complete understanding of the OT and the NT.

                We also understand by the text that when the Tzitziot is combined with the blue thread as commanded in Numbers 15:38 and joined to the four cornered cloak they become “tassels of greatness” or G’dilim (Deut. 22:12). This four-corned cloak, which bears the special tassels, is the garment that has come to be called the Tallit. Note however, a garment is not a Tallit without the special tassels connected to the corners.

We’ve already discussed that wearing of the Tallit with tiztzitot was the usual practice in Yahshua’s time and with this in mind it is easily seen how Yahshua an observant Jew daily put on telfillin and prayed as he placed the Tallit on His head (going into His closet). He was careful not to cover the telfillin, which had seven wrappings up the left arm on the side of the heart and two wrappings on the fingers to signify the (7) days of creation and the individual’s marriage to G-d. This is a picture of the Messiah that few Christians contemplate, but nonetheless one that is extremely relevant if we are to clearly see a pure portrait of our L-rd. And without examining our Jewish roots we may never see this portrait until the millennium. 

We also should be aware that in the command for Tallit found in Deuteronomy 22:11 is that it is to be a “cloak (k’sut) that covers (k’sut) you. A picture of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). It also identifies the mantels referred to in the prophets as Tallit.    

Now let’s look at some of the scriptures in the New Testament[6] that relate to the Tallit. In Matthew 23: 5 Yahshua mentions the Tzitzit concerning a moral matter.

Mat. 23:5  "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;

Yahshua was speaking about the wrong reasons hypocrites wore Telfillin (which is translated Phylacteries here) and Tzitzit or as translated tassels on the four corners of the Tallit which men wore. The very mention of the Tzitzit by Yahshua confirms the common use in His day. As I said, Yahshua Himself wore the Tallit simply because he was obedient to every commandment of the Torah or Law and without sin. And we read in 1 John 3:4-5 that sin is the transgression of the Law.

 4.  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5.  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Why did G-d command it to be worn and how can this knowledge enrich a believer’s life and testimony? To begin with the Tzitzit which is attached to the Tallit with particular knots and wrappings is revealing of G-d and the Messiah. Remember the commandment to have a blue thread among the tassel. The blue thread or Shamash, such as the Shamash candle on a menorah means servant and is wrapped around the other strands, 7, 8, 11, and 13 times with double knots in-between. To understand the significance of this we must know that In Judaism each Hebrew letter is assigned a numerical equivalent. John spoke of this in Revelation when giving the numerical value of the name of the anti-messiah. In reference to the Tzitzit  the 7 and 8 equal 15, which is equivalent to the value of the Hebrew letters yod and hey, the first two letters of the personal name of G-d (YHVH). Eleven is the equivalent of vav and hey, the last two letters of the name of G-d. Thirteen is equivalent to the Hebrew word Echad, which means “one” or “unity”. From the orthodox point of view, to look at the Tzitzit is to remember, YHVH Echad, “The Lord is One.” The word Tzitzit in Hebrew is equivalent to 600. Add that to the eight strands and five knots and the total is 613, which is the total number of Torah commandments or commandments in the Law of the Old Testament.. But more importantly, to a believer’s point of view and ultimately to the unbelievers, the Shamash points to the Messiah Yahshua, the Suffering Servant who is also King, as the color blue indicates. Blue is the color of the bloodline; the mark of royalty. The other seven white threads symbolize the perfection, purity, and holiness of G-d’s Law. And eight total threads is the biblical number of new beginnings. The seven white strands are not taken away by the blue one, but instead are completed by it. Without Messiah, the blue thread, no man can keep the Law.

The tzitzit is a strong reminder to us of the conjuncture-juncture of the Law and Yahshua, not a separation, because through Him all things become possible. We also know this Law to be Him, the Living Word (Torah or Law).

If we look back at Numbers 15:37 we see the blue thread is given[7] to the fringe. While most English translations use the words attached, put or secured, the Hebrew word is from natan, meaning to give. The Messiah is given by the Father to fulfill the commandments. He is the only One who ever performed them perfectly and His ability to fulfill the commandments proves He is the rightful bloodline to be the eternal King. Hence, the blue thread signifies the Servant-King.

One last thing to tie all this up with the Parsha by using an illustration from Mark 5:35-43: Yahshua here heals the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue. Let me read:

Healing the ruler of the synagogue's daughter. She had died and Yahshua "took the child by the hand and said to her, Talita kumi."

The text says this Hebrew phrase is to be interpreted or translated as, "Damsel, I say to you arise."

Talita is not Hebrew for damsel, or young girl.  

It is probably a form of the word Tallit. Therefore, a more accurate translation of "Talita kumi" is probably the command, "Arise to my Tallit."

Malachi 4:2 is a prophetic promise of the Messiah's healing ministry, "But unto you that fear My Name will the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." The "Sun" or "Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16) refers to the Messiah. Hebrews for wings is Kanfort, which is the name of the shawl supporting the tzitzit. The same word is used for the four corners of the Tallit. Paraphrasing Malachi 4:2 and you have "The righteous Morning Star will cause you to fear My Name to arise through healing found in the corners of His Tallit. 

This prophecy was literally fulfilled in the healing ministry of Yahshua and in the case of the young girl for  it seems to be exactly fulfilled by Yahshua's words, "Arise to My Tallit." It is the same for the woman with the issue of blood.

We see the woman with the issue of blood also Matthew 9:21. This is the only episode by touching the Tallit recorded in detail but Mark 6:56 records "And wherever He entered in villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch only the Tzitzit of His Tallit; and as many as touched Him were made whole." When they touched Him they touched the Tzitzit. This is clear because the sick were reaching for the lowest part His garment and this is the Tzitzit or tassels.

Halftarah Connection: (M'lakhim Bet [2 Kings] 7: 3-20)

This week’s Parsha deals with the different kinds of tzara'at and the person afflicted; the metzora must stay outside the camp. The opening words of our Halftarah is "And there were four people who had tzara'at…" We read of how they entered the camp of the sworn enemy of the nation, Aram, and saw that the camp was deserted. Instead of just taking all the valuables they could find, they reported back to the King of Israel and succeeded in helping the nation in its time of distress.  

Think About it:

1.        Why is the waiting for a Metzora seven days?

2.        When the Cohen purifies the Metzora he dips his own hand into the blood of the slaughtered animal and then places some of it on the Metzoar's right ear lobe, right thumb, and right big toe. Why these three places?

3.        Why should an owner of a house feel responsible if his house contracts tzara'at? 

4.   Then there is the question of a Zav. A man who has contracted certain sexual diseases. Why must he bring two birds to the Cohen: one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering?

Gematria:

U'va'yom ha'shemini yimol bisar orlato. "And on the eighth circumcise his flesh." (12:3)

The numeric value of this phrase is 1,067. The Torah says a boy must be circumcised eight days after he is born. But what is the eighth day? There are many mitzvot that one can only do up until a certain time during the day. Is there a time limit for circumcision on the eighth day? The words, "the whole day is kosher for circumcision" also has the numeric value of 1.067, indicating that there is no time limit during the eighth day.

Shalom and Brachas,

Rabbi Davis (R. Milchamah b. David)