Parsha Achrei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)

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…

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.

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׃

Leviticus 17:8-18:21

וַאֲלֵהֶ֣ם תֹּאמַ֔ר אִ֥ישׁ אִישׁ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמִן־הַגֵּ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־יָג֣וּר בְּתוֹכָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲלֶ֥ה עֹלָ֖ה אוֹ־זָֽבַח׃

8 And thou shalt say unto them: Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that offereth a burnt-offering or sacrifice,

וְאֶל־פֶּ֜תַח אֹ֤הֶל מוֹעֵד֙ לֹ֣א יְבִיאֶ֔נּוּ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֹת֖וֹ לַיהֹוָ֑ה וְנִכְרַ֛ת הָאִ֥ישׁ הַה֖וּא מֵעַמָּֽיו׃

9 and bringeth it not unto the door of the tent of meeting, to sacrifice it unto the LORD, even that man shall be cut off from his people.

וְאִ֨ישׁ אִ֜ישׁ מִבֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וּמִן־הַגֵּר֙ הַגָּ֣ר בְּתוֹכָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאכַ֖ל כׇּל־דָּ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֣י פָנַ֗י בַּנֶּ֙פֶשׁ֙ הָאֹכֶ֣לֶת אֶת־הַדָּ֔ם וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י אֹתָ֖הּ מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽהּ׃