Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim Day 1:

(Leviticus 16:1-24)

In our previous parsha study, we learned about the various ways in which the Jewish people, camp, or certain possessions could become unclean with various leprous conditions. We also learned about the purification rituals that are to be performed upon the healing or cleansing of such conditions. These cleansing rituals are to be performed whenever a person becomes clean.

This week’s parsha continues the theme of cleansing and purification, but extends the atonement of impurities to the entire Jewish nation in the High Holy Day of Yom Kippur. Unlike the personal cleansing and purification rituals that are to be performed anytime a person becomes healed of a leprous condition, Yom Kippur is performed one day per year.

(Leviticus 16:1)

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…

Day 3 (Part 2): Leviticus 18:1-22

(Leviticus 18:1-4)

In this portion, Hashem prohibits His people from following any of the laws or practices of the Egyptians, from whence He had just brought them. Hashem also prohibits Jews from following or practicing the laws or ways of the people in Canaan—the promised land of Genesis 15, to which Hashem was about to bring His people to settle.

Hashem’s reason: “I the LORD am your God.”

Thus, instead of following after the laws and rules of the Pagan nations, which lead to death, Hashem desires and commands His beloved Jewish people to only follow His laws, rules, and statutes. By keeping and observing Hashem’s Torah, rulings, and statutes the people and nation of Israel can and will live. These rules and laws are the wisdom of Hashem. They were the first thing created in the universe. Thus, by the wisdom of Hashem,…

Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Day 3 (Part 1): Leviticus 17:8-16

(Leviticus 17:8-9)

The prohibition against offering sacrifices anywhere that is outside the designated area in the Tent of Meeting complex (and later, the Temple) is repeated. Hashem declares that anyone who

1. offers a sacrifice outside the designated area AND/OR

2. Does not bring the offering to Tent of Meeting (or later, the Temple) will be cut off from the house of Israel and the Jewish people.

Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Day 4 (Part 1): Leviticus 18:22-30

(Leviticus 18:22-23)

Today’s portion opens with additional forms of forbidden relations set forth by Hashem to His holy people, the Jews.

The first two forbidden relations were mentioned together at the end of day 3’s study. These relations include the prohibition against male homosexual relations and the prohibition against having sexual relations with animals.

The prohibition against homosexual relations is the prohibition against the Pegan practices that led to the destruction of towns and cities such as Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). If Hashem’s Jewish people practice such relations, He later warns that He will destroy Zion in like manner as He did Sodom—we see an example in miniature among the tribe of Benjamin in Judges 20-21.

Day 4 (Part 2): Leviticus 19:1-14

(Leviticus 19:1-3)

Hashem begins this portion by telling Moshe Rabbeinu to tell the Jewish people again to “be holy, because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”

Kedoshim means “holy ones.” The ones who keep Torah, abide by the laws, rules, and regulations set forth by Hashem. Kedoshim does not assume that Hashem’s holy people are perfect—we can never be perfectly holy, as only Hashem is perfect. But, there is the understanding that the Kedoshim are those who strive for holiness; who accept the yoke of heaven, and who are humble enough to perform teshuvah when we realize we have strayed.

The Kedoshim are Hashem’s holy ones, to whom He has given the Torah—His book of covenants, which are vows for the loving relationship He seeks with all humanity, but starts with the Jews. The Jews are the Kedoshim to whom Hashem gave His Torah.

Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Day 5: Leviticus 19:15-32

(Leviticus 19:15)

Hashem commands that His kedoshim should not render unfair decisions in any matter. Neither the poor nor the rich should be favored in judgments neither should the poor nor the rich be shown deferential treatment.

Showing deferential (or more respect) to the wealthy in judgment is strictly prohibited in Torah—this prohibition is tied with the command not to take bribes in order to favor the wealthy in decisions.

Instead, everyone is to be treated equally and both the poor and the wealthy have the right to be judged fairly.

Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Day 6 (Part 1): Leviticus 19:33-37

(Leviticus 19:33)

Just as Jews are to show reverence to the elderly out of fear and reverence for Hashem, so Jews are not to wrong nor harm the ger (righteous convert) when he or she resides among us. Instead, Jews are to treat the ger as if he or she was/is a citizen of the nation of Israel AND the ger should be loved as a Jew loves themselves BECAUSE we Jews were ger in Egypt AND BECAUSE Hashem is the LORD our God.

Here, ger is often translated to “stranger” but really it refers to a person who converted to Judaism; a person who takes the yoke of Heaven and willingly follows Torah.

Hashem commands respect and love to these individuals as fellow native born Jews because in Hashem’s eyes, that is how He sees them. Too, He is…

Day 6 (Part 2): Leviticus 20:1-7

(Leviticus 20:1-3)

Connecting with the unjust practices of Pagan lands, Hashem then commands Jews not to give our children to Molech. Anyone who gives his or her child to Molech

1. Shall be put to death by stoning.

2. Hashem will set His face against the person.

3. The person will be cut off.

Double Parsha: Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Day 7: Leviticus 20:8-20:27

(Leviticus 20:8-9)

This final section begins with another prohibition against insulting your father and mother. Just as a parent should not insult the child by offering him her to Molech, so the child should not likewise insult the partner. Just as the parent is put to death for harming the child, so a child will be put to death for insulting a parent.

Insulting one’s father or mother causes blood guilt since the father and mother are one’s elders. Thus, as elders, we are to respect them. They also are the ones who gave us life. So, insulting them shows disrespect for your own life. It also disrespects Hashem who used your parents to bring you to life. Again, if you have parents who are far from Hashem there is a way to respect them without following their ways, as we saw…

(Haftara: Amos 9:7-15/

Ezekiel 20:2-20)

When we take head to rid ourselves and our Holy Land of idolatry and spiritual harlotry and instead cling only to Hashem, Hashem will cling to us in like manner. In His way, day, and time, the promises of the Haftarah in Amos will be fulfilled: He will establish the Davidic Kingdom, He will gather in every dispersed Jew to Zion and Jerusalem, and He will secure us in eternal shaking, never having to leave again.

Though Ezekiel puts special onus on the leaders of Israel to ensure motor are kept, and the people are led properly, the onus lays upon us all. If the stones individually will not be clean, the whole house stands at risk of falling. So, may we all perform teshuvah if necessary, cling to heaven fervantly, and press on in Torah with all our soul, strength, and might. May this…