Torah Portion: Tazria
“ובמלאת ימי טהרה לבן או לבת תביא כבש בן שנתו לעולה ובן יונה או תור לחטאת אל פתח אהל מועד אל הכהן” (ויקרא יב ו)
It is a positive commandment that a woman who gave birth shall bring an offering once she completes her “days of purity,” whether it was a for a boy or a girl. The offering she is to bring is a sheep within its first year for a burnt-offering, and a young dove or a turtledove for a sin-offering. If the woman is poor she is to bring two turtledoves or two young doves, one for a burnt-offering and one for a sin-offering. It is thus written: Upon the completion of the days of her purity for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring a sheep within its first year for a burnt-offering, and a young dove or a turtledove for a sin-offering, to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, to the Kohen (Vayikra 12:6).
Among the roots of this mitzvah is the aim that she be aroused through action to give thanks to the Holy One, blessed is He, Who protected her during the birth process, which is miraculous.
This commandment applies when the Holy Temple stands, to women.