Tazria Metzora

G-D SPOKE TO MOSHE SAYING, SPEAK TO THE ISRAELITES AND SAY, WHEN A WOMAN CONCEIVES GIVES BIRTH TO A MALE, SHE IS RITUALLY IMPURE SEVEN DAYS...ON THE EIGHTH DAY THE FORESKIN SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED...IF SHE GIVES BIRTH TO A FEMALE SHE IS RITUALLY IMPURE FOR TWO WEEKS... (Vayikra 12:1-5).

Why is the mother Tamei for twice as long if the child is female?

The idea of holiness is that human free will triumphs over physical forces.  Tumah  is associated with death, the ultimate loss of free will.  A Jew is supposed to master physicality rather than be mastered by it.  Circumcision  represents this idea of sanctity, therefore it is appropriate that her tumah ceases seven days after birthing a male child. 

The double period of tumah for a female child represents one week for the mother and one week for the young daughter.  This has a similar function as circumcision does for a male child.  It impresses on the mother the consciousness of free will and morality, for herself and the way she raises her daughter.  The mother has a great influence on her daughter and she must doubly fortify herself with the proper awareness (Rav SR Hirsch).

According to Ramban, the different laws for birthing male and female children have a physiological basis.

WHEN YOU COME TO LAND OF CANAAN THAT I GIVE YOU AS A POSSESSION, AND I PLACE AN AFFLICTION OF LEPROSY ON A HOUSE IN THE LAND OF YOUR POSSESSION- THE HOUSE'S OWNER SHALL COME AND TELL THE KOHEN "SOMETHING LIKE AN AFFLICTION APPEARS TO ME IN MY HOUSE" (Vayikra 14:24-35).

[THE KOHEN] SHALL CLOSE OFF THE HOUSE FOR SEVEN DAYS (14:38).

The Picezner Rebbe learns a lesson here about the positive value of spiritual tribulation:

Rashi explains why G-d says "I place an affliction" and not the more usual expression "if there will be an affliction."  Rashi says He is telling us good news: the afflictions will require the house be broken down, and gold hidden previously by the Amorites will be found.

Tumah and a broken state  lead to gold.  But why must the house be closed for seven days- instead of accessing the gold immediately?

 Everything G-d does is for the good.  This is true not only for physical suffering but even for spiritual deprivation.  Even the absence of shuls, yeshivas, and mikvas is meant for a good purpose.*  This is why the homeowner says "like an affliction it appears to me" for in truth it is for the good (Aish Kodesh).


*The Picezner wrote these words in the Warsaw Ghetto.

[Perhaps an example of the above concept is when the inability to perform a mitzva results in a deep longing for the mitzva.  The longing is very precious to G-d]