Chabad Lubavitch of Northern VirginiaEmail: [email protected]Phone: 703-426-1980www.ChabadNoVa.org
 
Message from the Rabbi
 

This week’s double Torah portion, Tazria-Metzora, challenges us to consider the impact of our words and actions. At first glance, the detailed discussions of tzara’at—the spiritual affliction often linked to gossip (lashon hara)—may feel distant from our modern lives. Yet, its lessons remain relevant at all times.

The Torah teaches that words have the power to build or destroy. Just as tzara’at manifested on one’s skin, clothing, or home, our careless speech can leave visible marks on the lives of others and on our own soul. The process of purification, detailed in these portions, reminds us that healing is always possible. It begins with introspection and humility—qualities symbolized by the afflicted’s isolation outside the camp.

But the Torah doesn’t leave us in isolation. It teaches that reintegration comes through the support of the community and the guidance of the Kohen. This is a reminder that no one is truly alone in their struggles. We are encouraged to lift one another up, to speak words of kindness, and to approach one another with compassion.

The lesson here is obvious: Let us commit to purifying our speech, transforming negativity into blessings. In doing so, we sanctify not only ourselves but also the spaces we inhabit. May we merit to see a world healed and whole, with the coming of Moshiach, when unity and holiness prevail.

Shabbat shalom,

 
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Craft, Create, Celebrate: Jewish Style!  
 

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Shabbat Squad Celebration: Meaningful Moments & More!  
 

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Shabbat Times
Candle Lighting Times for
Northern Virginia:
Shabbat Candle Lighting (Shemini):
Friday, May 2
7:45 pm
Shabbat Ends:
Shabbat, May 3
8:47 pm
Torah Portion: Tazria-Metzora
 
 
Kiddush

This week's kiddush is sponsored by

Lapidus Family

commemorating the Yahrzeit of

Mark's mom Rose Lapidus

Feiga raizel bas nochum

Consider marking your occasion! Reserve either on-line or call the office!

What's Happening?

Upcoming Events

In My Jewish Home: Architects Edition
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Join us for In My Jewish Home: Architects Edition—craft a one-of-a-kind key hanger featuring your favorite places and a pop of Jewish pizzazz

The Shabbat Squad
Shabbat, May 10, 2025 - 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Mommy and Me
Sunday, May 11, 2025 - 10:30 am
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10th Annual Lag Baomer
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 5:30 pm
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Friends Together: Shavuot
Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
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Shabbat, May 24, 2025 - 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Men’s Club
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 7:00 pm
Join the monthly mens club with Lechaims and Farbrengen!

• View all upcoming events
 
Daily Quote
"Wealth and riches are in his home, and his charity endures forever" (Psalms 112:3) — this refers to one who writes books and loans them out to others

— Talmud, Ketubot 50a

 
Services Times  

Our Daily Service Schedule

  • Sunday 8:30 am
  • Monday thru Friday, 7:00 am
  • Friday evenings, 10 minutes after candle lighting
  • Shabbat and Yamim Tovim, 9:30 am, Mincha/Ma'ariv approx 10 minutes before candle lighting time (of the evening before)

On special days, and on federal holidays, our schedule might be different.  Check with the shul.

New Shul Info WhatsApp Chat  
 

Please join this WhatsApp group that will be limited to Shul Events and Happenings, Life Cycle Notifications, etc. This is strictly for outgoing messages and will not be available for commenting by users. (Only admins can send out messages.)

You may opt in or out at any time.

If anyone feels that something is important for the community to hear, you can message the admins. Thanks, Rabbi Deitsch

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They are coming:  We're rolling out new ChabadNova.org email addresses for emails coming from ChabadNova staff. For example, this email comes from '[email protected]'. This will provide assurance that emails are coming from Chabad and not from a spoofed or hacked email account.

You Can Make a Difference!  
 

The Friendship Circle of Northern Virginia was founded on the idea that within each person is a soul, regardless of any limitations that may surround it, regardless of whatever natural gifts we may have or lack, regardless of what obstacles and challenges we may confront, our souls are sacred and worthy of boundless love.

Yarden Grossman has a special page for donations here!

The Friendship Circle touches so many...

… The child with special needs looks forward to weekly visits from his or her teenage friends.

… The teenage volunteer learns the value of giving, and cherishes the experience of making a difference in a child’s life.

… The child’s family gets a needed respite, and the pleasure of seeing their child become part of the community circle.

Read more here! 

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This Week @ www.ChabadNoVa.org
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The Jewish Calendar
     
  Friday Iyar 4 | May 2
  Shabbat Iyar 5 | May 3
  Sunday Iyar 6  | May 4
  Monday Iyar 7  | May 5
  Tuesday Iyar 8 | May 6
  Wednesday Iyar 9 | May 7
  Thursday Iyar 10 | May 8
  Friday Iyar 11 | May 9
  Shabbat Iyar 12 | May 10
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
 
The Parshah In A Nutshell
Parshat Tazria-Metzora

The name of the Parshah, “Tazria,” means “conceives” and it is found in Leviticus 12:2. The name of the Parshah, “Metzora,” is often translated as “leper” and it is found in Leviticus 14:2.

The Parshah of  Tazria continues the discussion of the laws of tumah v’taharah, ritual  impurity and purity.

woman giving  birth should undergo a process of purification, which includes immersing in a  mikvah (a naturally gathered pool of water) and bringing offerings to the  Holy Temple. All male infants are to be  circumcised on  the eighth day of life.

Tzaraat( often mistranslated as leprosy) is a supra-natural plague, which can afflict people as well as garments or homes. If white or pink patches appear on a person’s skin (dark red or green in garments), a  kohen is summoned. Judging by  various signs, such as an increase in size of the afflicted area after a seven-day quarantine, the kohen pronounces it  tamei (impure) or  tahor (pure).

A person afflicted with  tzaraat must dwell alone outside of the camp (or city) until he is healed. The afflicted area in a garment or home must be removed; if the tzaraat recurs, the entire garment or home must be destroyed.

As outlined at the start of  the portion of Metzora, when the  metzora (“leper”) heals, he or she is purified by the kohen with a special procedure involving two birds, spring water in an earthen vessel, a piece of cedar wood, a scarlet thread and a bundle of hyssop.

When a  home is afflicted with tzaraat, in a process lasting as long as nineteen days, a kohen determines  if the house can be purified, or whether it must be demolished.

Ritual impurity is also engendered through a seminal or other discharge in a man, and  menstruation or other discharge of blood in a woman, necessitating purification through immersion in a mikvah.

Learn:  Tazria-Metzorah in Depth
Browse:  Tazria-Metzorah Parshah Columnists
Prep:  Devar Torah Q&A for Tazria-Metzorah
Read:  Haftarah in a Nutshell
Play:  Tazria-Metzorah Parshah Quiz