03 Apr Parashat Tazria

about a lady who is giving birth. The Pasuk writes, ‘HaYoledet LaZachar Oh LaNikeva.’ I think this is a good time to mention a Gemara in Masechet Nida on Daf 30, side B, which talks about the miracle of labor and childbirth. The Gemara says that while the child is in the mother’s womb, his mouth is sealed, and his belly button (we’ll call it) is opened. The child takes in nutrients from his mother through a tube via the belly button, and while in the mother’s womb the child does not have bowel movement, as released excrement is poisonous and could G-d forbid kill the mother. So miracle of miracles, once the baby comes out into the air of the world, what was closed becomes opened and what was opened becomes closed.

The mouth that was sealed until birth becomes open, and the belly button that was opened becomes closed. If the child opened its mouth just a moment beforehand, it would have choked to death G-d forbid from all the fluids that would enter. If the child opened his mouth just a few moments too late, it would have suffocated to death G-d forbid from lack of air. If the child’s belly button would not close at the precise time, the child could hemorrhage. If the child’s ability to relieve himself delayed, such too would bring grave repercussions.

Can we say that this miracle of labor and child birth just happens by chance or by coincidence? How is it that an infant knows when to close up the belly button, and open the mouth? So it is clear and evident that there is a creator in the world, and that there is a G-d who must be involved.

Our Gemara takes even a step further, and says that there are actually angels that are in the womb which are teaching the child the entire Torah. The Gemara also says that the angel taps the child upon birth and all the learning is forgotten. The Rabbis question what is the purpose to learn something in the womb if you are going to forget later on? And the Rabbis answer that this learning that’s done in the womb makes an indelible impression on the child’s soul. So the impression is still there even though he forgets the learning. And that gives the child an advantage that when he comes out he will have certain tendency to want to learn, and when he does learn he will retain the knowledge for it is easier to remember when learning the second time.

So this is an important reminder to those ladies who are carrying children, and how careful they have to be during the pregnancy. The child is learning Torah in the womb. The mother therefore has to be careful what she sees, and where she goes, and what she listens to, and what she eats. These can all affect the child. The nine months is a holy time for the child, and so the mother must be in holy places in order not to ruin or spoil what is taking place in the womb itself.

So from Parashat Tazria, we are reminded of the miracle of child birth, the miracle of labor, and all the other miracles that take place in the womb. Additionally, although the doctors are unable to see the angels when taking a sonogram, nevertheless the angels are there and teaching Torah to the child.