Parasha Acharei Mot (אחרי מות) — Vayikra 16:1 – 18:30. Read on Shabbat, May 1, 2027.
Summary of Parasha Acharei Mot
After the death of Aharon’s two sons, G-d tells Moshe to warn Aharon that he may not enter the sanctuary, behind the curtain, whenever he wishes. The Torah then describes the service through which the High Priest may enter there, which will become the service of Yom Kippur. Aharon puts on linen garments, offers a bull for himself and for his household, and takes two goats for the community. He casts lots over them: one is offered to G-d, the other is designated for Azazel. He enters the Holy of Holies with the incense, sprinkles the blood, and then confesses the sins of the people over the living goat, which is sent off into the wilderness. The tenth day of the seventh month is established as a day of atonement, on which one afflicts oneself and refrains from all work, in order to be cleansed of all sins before G-d. The parasha then prohibits slaughtering an animal intended as an offering anywhere but at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and restates the prohibition against consuming blood, for the life is in the blood; the blood of a hunted animal must be covered with earth. It forbids following the practices of Egypt and of Canaan, and lists the forbidden unions. The land, it says, spews out the inhabitants who defile themselves through these practices.
The Themes
- The Yom Kippur service
- The two goats
- The holiness of family life
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s Lectures on Acharei Mot
There are no lectures by the Rav on this parasha yet. Find all available lectures on the Weekly Parasha page.
A Question for the Shabbat Table
How can setting aside one whole day each year for self-examination be beneficial to us?
← Parasha Metzora · All the parashiot · Parasha Kedoshim →
Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are found in his lectures, linked above.