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April 23 • 2009
his week's double Torah
Likewise, the various sources of
portions, Tazria and
tuma, whether contracted from an
Metzora, deal with a variety external source or our own bodies,
of types of tuma. Tuma is usually
all relate to death or to the physical,
explained in English as
biological nature of the
uncleanliness, impurity or
human being. We can-
some kind of contamina-
not and should not deny
tion. I believe that this
our physical natures,
kind of interpretation is a
but we must realize that
misunderstanding of the
this physical reality can
whole concept.
limit and impinge on our
Although when one
attempts to rise above it.
is tomay certain restric-
The Torah teaches
tions apply, particularly
us how to channel our
regarding the Tabernacle
physical needs and
Rabbi Eliezer
and sacred objects, which
desires, to use them in
Cohen
implies something nega-
a positive, constructive
Special to the
tive, there are some cir-
way and, beyond that,
Jewish News
cumstances where one is
to rise above them to
obligated by the Torah to
achieve real purpose and
become tomay;
sanctity. This,
and other cases
to me, is the
where simple
message of
normal exis-
the system of
tence makes
tuma that the
one tomay.
Torah pre-
To interpret
scribes.
menstruation,
Normal life
seminal emis-
and our real-
sion, sexual
ity as physical
relations or
beings mean
childbirth as
that tuma is
causing some
inevitable. Yet,
kind of con-
we have the
tamination
capacity to
or taboo is to
rise above it
misunderstand Judaism's attitude
and achieve t'hara by keeping God's
toward sex and normal worldly life.
Torah and by elevating ourselves
In my opinion, the whole complex above our physical, animalistic
system of tuma in the Torah and
nature. Li
Jewish law is a symbol to us empha-
sizing the dual nature of human
Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of Congregation
existence. We are at the same time
Or Chadash in Oak Park.
physical, biological and thus mortal
beings, but also possess the poten-
tial to live an exalted, transcendental
and holy life beyond our biological
being.
Conversations
The only things that are subject
How can restrictions help
to tuma — human beings, food,
us appreciate our potential?
beverages and manmade objects
Maimonides says that tuma
— emphasize the physical existence
helps us respect the holy even
and needs of man.
more. How does this work?
The Torah teaches
us how to channel
our physical needs
and desires, to use
them in a positive,
constructive way.