Parshas Tazria for Kids
פרשת תזריע
The laws of tumah and taharah, and of tzara'as - a mark on the skin or on a garment, and the kohen who is called to look at it.
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What happens in Parshas Tazria
Most of Parshas Tazria is about tzaraas, a mark that could appear on a person's skin or on a garment. Tzaraas was not an ordinary illness. Chazal teach that it came mainly because of lashon hara, speaking badly about others, and also because of arrogance and stinginess. It was a message from Hashem: look at how you are using your words.
When a mark appeared, the person did not go to a doctor; he went to the kohen. Only the kohen could look at the mark and say whether it was tzaraas, and if he was not sure, he waited seven days and looked again. Chazal tell us that even when it was clearly tzaraas, the kohen would wait to announce it for a chasan during his week of celebration or for anyone during a Yom Tov, so as not to spoil their simcha. A garment with tzaraas was also shown to the kohen, and if the mark spread it was burned.
Lessons and middos for children
Guarding our words
Tzaraas showed on the outside what lashon hara does on the inside. Before we speak about someone, we can ask: is it true, is it kind, does it need to be said?Looking carefully
The kohen looked closely and waited before deciding. We can take time before judging a friend, and look for the good.Caring about others' simcha
The kohen held back his words so as not to spoil someone's celebration. We can choose our timing so others stay happy.
Questions for the Shabbos table
- Why do you think Hashem sent tzaraas as a sign about speech and not about something else?
- Why would the kohen wait seven days before deciding?
- Can you think of a time when you stopped yourself from saying something unkind? How did it feel?
- If your friends started talking badly about someone in your class, what could you say or do?
How your child steps into the story
Your child stands beside the kohen at the entrance of the camp, watching him study a mark with great care and hearing him explain why words matter so much. The story ends with your child resolving to guard their words, and looking ahead to how a person is welcomed back in Parshas Metzora.