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,…

Leviticus 16:1-24

Leviticus Chapter 16

Achrei Mot

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת שְׁנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֑ן בְּקׇרְבָתָ֥ם לִפְנֵי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיָּמֻֽתוּ׃

1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD, and died;

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה דַּבֵּר֮ אֶל־אַהֲרֹ֣ן אָחִ֒יךָ֒ וְאַל־יָבֹ֤א בְכׇל־עֵת֙ אֶל־הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת אֶל־פְּנֵ֨י הַכַּפֹּ֜רֶת אֲשֶׁ֤ר עַל־הָאָרֹן֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמ֔וּת כִּ֚י בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן אֵרָאֶ֖ה עַל־הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃

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׃