The Torah portions of Tazria and Metzora are read as a single portion in non-leap years and deal mostly with the disease of leprosy. Despite being portions that deal with impurity and illness, Parashat Tazria opens with the purification ritual for a woman who has given birth, an event of renewal and birth. A surprising opening that suggests perhaps within the heart of illness, difficulty, and pain, the key to renewal can also be found. […]

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The poetry of the Sons of Korach and Samuel's gentle and wise determination are a testimony to the nature of “the tikun” that takes place after a fall, one that comes in the wake of a bold but failed attempt to change reality. A demand for change in general, and for change in social order in particular, if its source is in pride, excessive self-confidence, jealousy and the sin of arrogance, is doomed to failure. True change originates from a world of doubts, listening and love. “The tikun” will come from a courageous place of regret and taking responsibility, of faith in the power of truth and spiritual heritage. The beauty of the fall is that it is not an end, but a phase, an opportunity and a necessity on the path to inevitable “tikun”. […]

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BINA contributor and supporter, Ran Oron, discusses what we can learn about leadership from Miriam during the exodus of Israelites from Egypt in this week's Torah portion. […]

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A “chosen nation” not in the sense of being an elevated nation, but because they knew how to realize the right of choice. "The Torah went among all nations", tell us our sages, "it came to Esau and was rejected, to Ishmael and was not accepted, to Ammon and Moab and was refused, until it came to Israel. They said in unison: 'We will obey and listen'". They chose the path of the divine morals […]

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What is the meaning of “Lech Lecha”? Is it the way to fulfill one’s destiny? Is it a call to go to the one place where you truly belong, or to search for the place where you will become who you are meant to be? Is it the path of reason, or perhaps the way of the heart? Or is it the essence of the connection between them? From where does a person draw the strength to set out without asking why, when no clear destination is in sight? […]

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Seven times Joseph weeps, more than any other person in the Torah. He does not cry when he is thrown into the pit, nor when he is sold to the Ishmaelites. He does not weep when cast into prison, nor when betrayed by his companions there. He does not weep from happiness at his success. Seven times he weeps, but only in his encounters with his brothers, with his father, in the presence of, or facing, his family. […]

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"Torah shows us that the truth, both the divine and ours, is found in our faith in the power of the connection of opposites." This week's parashah explores the power in the connection of opposites. Ran Oron, reminds us that "In these days of turmoil in our hearts we must insist on the power of connection." […]

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