Bible Study for Curious Children: This Week’s Torah Portions are Tazria-Metzora

This week, in syngagoues around the world, we read Leviticus 12-15. Among other things, we learn about healing. In ancient times, when someone had a skin disease called tzara’at, they had to live outside the camp until they got better. Once healed, they had a special ceremony to return to their family and community. The Jewish Sages tell us that tzara’at could have been caused by making mistakes such as speaking badly about others, being selfish, or being arrogant. Tzara’at was a miraculous spiritual condition that could only be diagnosed by a Kohen (a descendant from Aaron the brother of Moses). It is not the same as any medical condition that exists today.

What can we learn about tzara’at that is meaningful to us?

• Healing the Body and Soul – The portion talks about people who had a skin disease (called tzara’at) and how they were healed and brought back to the community.
• Taking Time to Reflect – The people who were sick had to live outside the camp for a while. It was a time to think, heal, and grow.
• Welcoming Back with Kindness – When someone was healed, they had a special ceremony and were welcomed back into the community.
• Purity and Good Character Traits – God gives instructions about how to stay spiritually healthy.

Activities for You – Send us Pictures of Your Projects
We will post a few each week

1. Community Circle Drawing
Draw a big circle and fill it with words and pictures that show what makes a strong, loving community (like friendship, honesty, kindness).

2. Healing Heart Cards
Make “get well” cards for someone who is sick or lonely. You are practicing ahavat chesed — loving-kindness.

3. Clean & Pure Jar
Decorate a jar or box. Each day this week, write down one kind thing you did to keep your heart “clean” — like helping, speaking nicely about others, saying sorry, or telling the truth.

 Jewish Wisdom Everyone Can Learn From:

• • • • Healing is physical and spiritual.
      • We believe in second chances.
      • Holiness means caring for yourself, others, and your world.

Please note: In addition to Metzora, another Torah Portion, Tazria will also be read in the synagogues this week. We focused only on Metzora.