Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: The Heart of the Torah?

“The Eternal spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew too close to the presence of the Eternal.” – Leviticus 16:1

Our portion begins with these words, referring to what happens after the death (Acharei Mot) of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu. Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27) is most known for the Holiness Code, which falls later in this week’s text. It contains some of the most inspiring verses found in the Torah (Love your neighbor as yourself! Do not place a stumbling block before the blind! Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor!) as well as some of the most despicable (Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman). In fact, it is so important and so central a text in our tradition (falling right at the very middle [the “heart”] of the Torah) that it is easy to ignore the rest of the lengthy parsha.

Instead, I’d like to focus this Shabbat on the fascinating Yom Kippur ritual delineated in Leviticus 16. Many of our contemporary themes are present (repentance, good vs. evil, scapegoats, self-denial) but the actual ritual presented is so foreign to us. Goats? Bull offerings? Incense? Blood?

It is hard to put ourselves in the mindset of the Kohein Gadol, the High Priest, during the holiest time of the year. Thus, we will read through the ritual as described in Leviticus 16, including the two goats, and then delve into an even more expansive description of the ritual, as found in Mishnah Yoma. How might this ritual inform our own practice of Yom Kippur? How does it affect how we think about repentance and teshuvah? 

Finally, our Haftarah portion (at least for those of us who are Ashkenazic) is Amos 9:7-15. It’s an admittedly odd selection to be linked to this particular Torah portion. I hope to speculate with you as to why it might have been chosen so long ago.

Shabbat Shalom!