TRYING TO UNDERSTAND “TUM’AH”

The Torah portion of Tazria introduces the concept of “tum’ah”, usually translated either as impurity, or ritual impurity. But these translations do not do this concept justice. In fact, they are quite misleading, even off-putting, as they make “tum’ah” sound as if it means dirty or unclean.

In this shiur, Rabbi Dunner dispels the idea that tum’ah means unclean or impure, and offer various perspectives on this central tenet of Judaism, which, even though it is no longer actively practiced, has many important lessons to teach us about the Jewish faith and about God’s vision for His Chosen People.