Reaping What You Sow: The Power of Positive Influences (Parsha Power: Tazria-Metzora)

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, we explore the portions of Tazria and Metzorah, focusing on themes of purity, spiritual growth, and the impact of environment. Drawing from the opening verse of Tazria (Leviticus 12:1), we discuss the concept of ritual impurity and parallels it with the order of creation, where mankind’s purity follows that of animals, as explained by Rashi and the Midrash. We emphasize the importance of what we "plant" in our lives—both physically and spiritually—using the metaphor of sowing seeds to illustrate how our choices in food, media, and environment shape who we become and how our children develop. Through personal anecdotes, including his grandfather’s journey to Torah scholarship and his own childhood experience in Brooklyn, Rabbi Wolbe underscores the need to protect ourselves and our children from negative influences, such as non-kosher food and harmful media. He also highlights the spiritual significance of kosher laws, explaining how they safeguard the soul, and shares insights into the Jewish concept of Gemachs (free loan societies) as acts of kindness that foster positive community influence. The episode concludes with a call to surround ourselves with virtuous environments to ensure spiritual and moral growth.

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This episode (Ep 7.27) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Tazria-Metzora is dedicated in honor of our President & in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!

• Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing

Recorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on April 29, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on May 2, 2025
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SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: 

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.tansistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

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