Tazria (She Conceives) Lev. 12:1-13:59 Metzora (Leper) Lev.14:1-15:33
1.In Leviticus 14:33-57 we can see the process for a house that could possibly have leprosy. What were the steps the owner had to take to cleanse the house? Is there a spiritual lesson for us here?
The first step in cleansing a house was the owner had to recognize there might be a problem of leprosy in his house. He would go to the priest and ask for an inspection. Then the priest checked the house and if leprosy was found the priest gave instructions on the cleansing process. He would return and check the house again at a later date and if it was pronounced clean by the priest the owner could go on with his life.
It is the same for us. When we have strayed from the L-rd we first have to realize we have a problem. Then we go to our High Priest and ask for His inspection in our life. We can only be cleansed when we realize we have a need for cleansing.
2.In Leviticus 14:34 we notice a strange thing where G-d says, “When you enter the land of Canaan which I am giving you as a possession, and I put a spot of leprosy on a house in the land of your possession…” Why do you think G-d said, “I will put a spot of leprosy on a house?” Why would G-d do that? Is there a spiritual lesson here?
I believe in G-d’s mercy He was giving the home owner a warning of a problem. The owner could either ignore the warning or go to the priest and confess there was possibly leprosy in his home and begin the issue of cleansing his home.
Sometimes G-d gives us warnings that things are not okay in our lives and He gives us opportunity to make changes before we move further and further away from Him.
In I John 1:9 we can see these three same steps applied to our own life. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
So like the home owner who had a choice we too have a choice. We can either go to our High Priest and confess our sins and be cleansed or we can ignore the problem. G-d in His mercy gives us warnings.
It is important to follow through all the steps. For example, confession and repentance is much more than just saying sorry or regretting something that we have said or done. It means that we have to agree with G-d that what we did was sin; not just wrong or inappropriate. We can’t say to G-d Almighty I “mis-spoke,” to use a popular term.
We have to resolve that we won’t do it again; either the action, the disobedience to G-d or ignoring the nudging of the Spirit and the pricks of conscience.
Perhaps our failure to follow through these important steps is one of the reasons we sometimes struggle to see change in our lives.
3.Our Haftorah reading for Tazria is found in II Kings 4:42-5:18. How many spiritual lessons can you see in this story?
This man, Naaman, was the commander of the army of Syria. He is described in II Kings 5:1 as a “great and honorable man in the eyes of the king because by him the L-rd had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.”
First lesson: G-d allowed a young Jewish girl to be taken as a slave by the Syrian general Naaman. This unnamed slave girl put this entire story into play. She spoke what she believed, recommending Naaman go to Elisha for a cure for his leprosy and G-d honored it.
II Kings 5:2-3, “Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
Like the slave girl, G-d expects us to faithfully serve Him wherever He puts us – even in difficult situations that we might not understand.
Second lesson: When we ask G-d for something, as Naaman asked for healing, we need to leave ourselves open for G-d to work in whatever way He chooses. We do not always know exactly how G-d wants to work in our lives.
Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the L–rd. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Third lesson: Naaman initially left Elisha’s residence filled with rage because Elisha did not meet with him in person or perform a grand ceremony to cure him. He was also angry at Elisha’s direction that he wash himself in the River Jordan when larger rivers exist in Syria.
II Kings 5:10-12, “Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed. But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the L-rd his G-d, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed? So he turned and went off in a rage.”
Naaman’s pride and temper got in the way of what G-d wanted to do. G-d expects us to walk with humility before Him. Many times G-d uses the small insignificant people or simple situations to speak truth into our lives. We need to guard ourselves from pride that would cause us to miss G-d.
Fourth lesson: Naaman responded with praise and humility before G-d after being restored. II Kings 5:14-15, “So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of G-d had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of G-d. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no G-d in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
G-d also expects your gratitude for His blessings in your life. I pray this is an encouragement to realize the Torah is not just a history book but has spiritual implications in our lives today.
4.In Luke 2:22-24 we read where Mary and Joseph brought their new son Yeshua to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the L-rd as it is written in the law of Moshe. They were following the commandment set out in our portion today in Leviticus 12. Read Luke chapter 2 and tell me why you think Luke went into such detail about what occurred following Yeshua’s birth while none of the other 3 gospel writers do that?
One obvious reason for Luke’s writing, he was a doctor and maybe more qualified to explain what went on. Luke was most likely not Jewish but wanted to be sure it was understood that Yeshua and His family followed the law exactly. He wanted there to be no doubt that Yeshua was Jewish. He wanted there to be no room to argue this point.
I think this was important considering the later history of the church and its opinion of the Jewish people. Even in our day some Palestinians have stated that Yeshua was a Palestinian.
Lev 12:6-8 – purification for Mary
6 “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.[a] 7 He shall offer them before the L-rd to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood.
“‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. 8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”
Exodus 13:1-2, 12 – Presenting Yeshua to to L-rd
Exodus 13:1-2 “The L-rd said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.”
Exodus 13:12-15, “you are to give over to the L-rd the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the L-rd. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons. 14 “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the L-rd brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the L-rd the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.”
During the tenth plague, the Egyptian firstborn were killed and the Israelites were not. In gratitude for this, when the Israelites left Egypt G-d wanted the firstborn sons to assist the priests. For example, Hannah brought her firstborn son Samuel to assist Eli the priest. This is also connected to the first of everything belonging to G-d (animals, fruit, bread, crops, etc.).
Then, during the Golden Calf incident, most of the people besides the tribe of Levi worshipped an idol within a few weeks of G-d giving them the Ten Commandments. After that, G-d switched to having the Levites help the priests. According to the Torah, G-d put in place a redemption ceremony as a way of having firstborn sons continue to not be on call for assisting the priests.
Numbers 18:16-17 (Pidyon HaBen- redemption of the first born son)
16 For the redemption price of a son, when he is a month old, you shall pay the equivalent of five silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, that is, twenty gerahs. 17 But the firstborn of cattle, or the firstborn of sheep or the firstborn of goats you shall not redeem; they are holy. Their blood you must splash on the altar and their fat you must burn as an oblation of pleasing aroma to the L-rd.”
My purpose in going through this is to fortify us in our faith as Messianic believers today. We are in the unique position to emphasize the Jewishness of Yeshua and to give a fuller understanding of the Messiah. We can encourage others to not lose sight of His Jewishness. It is still important for people to grasp this truth. Without these truths we miss so much of who the Messiah is and who we are in Him.
Below is a chart taken from Joseph Shulam’s teaching.
Timeline of Events from Yeshua’s Birth to the Temple Offering
| Day | Event | Biblical Basis | Commentary |
| Day 0 | Birth of baby Yeshua | Luke 2:6-7 | Yeshua is born in Bethlehem. Mary swaddles Him and lays Him in a manger, showing the simplicity and poverty surrounding His birth. |
| Day 1-7 | Mary is in an impure state | Leviticus 12:2 | For a male child, the mother is ritually impure for 7 days, like during the menstrual impurity. She would not have entered the Temple or touched holy things during this time. |
| Day 8 | Circumcision of Yeshua and Naming | Leviticus 12:3; Luke 2:21 | On the 8th day, Baby (without name yet) is circumcised according to the Torah – Law. He officially receives His name, “Yeshua,” meaning “The L-RD is salvation,” showing His full entrance into the covenant of Abraham. |
| Day 9-40 | Continued days of purification for Mary | Leviticus 12:4 | After circumcision, Mary continues in a state of semi-impurity for another 33 days. She would be at home, refraining from sacred activities but able to resume some normal life activities. |
| Day 40 | Presentation of Yeshua and Purification Offering in the Temple | Leviticus 12:6-8; Luke 2:22-24 | When 40 days are over and finished, Mary and Joseph travel from Bethlehem to Jerusalem (about 8 km) to fulfill two obligations: 1) Mary’s purification offering, and 2) Presenting Yeshua as a firstborn male to his family. They offer two pigeons, showing their poverty. Simeon and Anna recognize Yeshua at the Temple. |
G-d chooses a lowly place — not a palace — for the birth of the King of Kings.
Lesson: 1 for us today and always to remember!
G-d’s glory shines even (and especially) in humble, overlooked places.
Days 1–7: Mary’s Period of Impurity was observed and respected fully according to the Torah.
Even though Mary conceived supernaturally (by the Holy Spirit), she submits to the normal human purification process. Everything that happens is according to the instructions of the Torah.
Lesson: 2 Holiness does not exempt a person from obedience and humility.
Day 8: Circumcision and Naming
Yeshua enters the Abrahamic covenant — physically marked as part of the people of Israel.
His name, “Yeshua” (salvation), matches His mission from birth.
Lesson: 3 Obedience to G-d’s covenant and clear identity are vital from the start of life.
Days 9–40: Continued Days of Purification
Quiet, unseen faithfulness. Nothing dramatic is recorded. Mary fulfills her obligations quietly and in trust.
Lesson: 4 Much of the life of faith is lived in patience and unseen obedience.
Day 40: Presentation and Offering at the Temple
Baby Yeshua is formally “presented” to the L-rd, fulfilling the ancient law of the firstborn (Exodus 13).
Mary completes her purification by offering a poor person’s sacrifice (two birds instead of a lamb).
Lesson: 5 Yeshua’s first official “appearance” relates to humility, poverty, and worship.
Holiness and dedication are not tied to wealth or social standing.
Additional Insight: Connection to Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25–38)
• Simeon, a righteous and devout man, recognizes Yeshua as “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for Israel.”
• Anna, a prophet, also acknowledges Him and speaks about the redemption of Jerusalem.
• Spiritual Lesson: Those who live close to G-d (even in long years of waiting) will recognize the Messiah, even when He comes humbly.
• Faithfulness in trivial things (even ritual purity laws) prepares the way for G-d’s big acts.
• Humility, obedience, and patience are the soil where G-d’s promises grow.
• G-d’s concern for the poor and identification with the lowly is seen in every stage of Yeshuas’ early life.
The conflagration of Leviticus 12 and Luke 2 reminds us that the Messiah did not abolish G-d’s commands—He fulfilled them perfectly, in humility and poverty, with humanity to be an example and lead us back to G-d.