Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Day 2 (Part 1):

(Leviticus 16:2-34)

(Leviticus 16:25)

To reiterate the lessons we learned from day 1 of this parsha, we are told the fat of the sin offerings (the bull of the priesthood and the he-goat of the chieftains) are to be turned into smoke by Aaron, or the future High Priest. It is interesting to note again that on Yom Kippur (the High Holy Day of National Atonement), Hashem only calls to account the sins of the leaders. Through forgiveness of the leaders’ sins, Hashem extends national forgiveness to the laypeople and the ger (converts) living among the Israelites.

We mentioned in our day 1 notes that this highlights the importance of leaders in the Israelite community and nations. Hashem sets leaders in many ranks, who are to care for and shepherd the flock of Hashem. Throughout Tanakh there are accounts of good leaders,…

Day 2 (Part 2): Leviticus 17:1-7 (Study Notes)

(Leviticus 17:1-7)

This chapter opens with a discussion about the types of sacrifices that the people were making prior to the construction of the Tabernacle, Temple, and sacrifice altars.

(Leviticus 17:3-7)

Mentions the ox, sheep, and goats, specifically. Prior to the construction of the tabernacle, these sacrifices were “sacrifices the Jewish people have been making in the open.” This means, prior to the Torah, sacrifices occurred—we know this through reports of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob all offering sacrifices prior to Mt. Sinai.

Now that an official system was in place, however, the sacrifices had to be brought to the temple even if a layperson, not a priest, slaughtered the animal. If the animal is not brought to the temple or the tabernacle (in the wilderness), then “bloodguilt” is imputed upon the one who slaughtered the sacrifice—whether in the camp or country or…

Leviticus 16:25-17:7

וְאֵ֛ת חֵ֥לֶב הַֽחַטָּ֖את יַקְטִ֥יר הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה׃

25 And the fat of the sin-offering shall he make smoke upon the altar.

וְהַֽמְשַׁלֵּ֤חַ אֶת־הַשָּׂעִיר֙ לַֽעֲזָאזֵ֔ל יְכַבֵּ֣ס בְּגָדָ֔יו וְרָחַ֥ץ אֶת־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ בַּמָּ֑יִם וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֖ן יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃

26 And he that letteth go the goat for Azazel shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.

וְאֵת֩ פַּ֨ר הַֽחַטָּ֜את וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שְׂעִ֣יר הַֽחַטָּ֗את אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוּבָ֤א אֶת־דָּמָם֙ לְכַפֵּ֣ר בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ יוֹצִ֖יא אֶל־מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וְשָׂרְפ֣וּ בָאֵ֔שׁ אֶת־עֹרֹתָ֥ם וְאֶת־בְּשָׂרָ֖ם וְאֶת־פִּרְשָֽׁם׃