Parshat Acharei Mot

Acharei Mot  Leviticus 16:1-18:30 — Approaching holiness with love of G-d and fear of G-d. Are those opposing forces or necessary components of this journey?

Shorashim Torah Overview and Study Guide

After the deaths of Nadav and Avihu,the sons of Aharon, Hashem directs the priests as to how one must approach holiness:

And the Lord said to Moses: Speak to your brother Aaron, that he should not come at all times into the Holy within the dividing curtain, in front of the cover that is upon the ark, so that he should not die, for I appear over the ark cover in a cloud.

What do we learn form the words “that he should not come at all times?”

What do we learn form the words for I appear over the ark cover in a cloud?”

He is also told that only one person, the Kohen Gadol (“high priest”), may, but once a year, on Yom Kippur, enter the Holy of Holies

What do we learn form the words, “And from the community of the children of Israel, he shall take two he goats as a sin offering,”especially the words “And from the community of the children of Israel,” ?

It is in the holy of Holies that he offers the powerful ceremony and ritual of the incense, the Ketoret

What can we learn from the name Ketoret and from the number and types of spices used in this incense?

He is also taught about the yom kippur service and the  the casting of lots over two goats to determine which should be offered to G-d and which should be dispatched to the wilderness.

What is learnt about the casting of the lots?

What can be learned from one of the goats being “be dispatched to the wilderness”?

Most importantly he is told that other Korbanot or sacrifices cannot be brought anywhere but in the Holy Temple. He is also warned regarding the prohibition of eating blood and then details the prohibition of illicit relations.

What is the connection here between the centrality of the temple, the prohibition of eating blood and the prohibition of illicit relations?

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Parshat Acharei Mot