Inner Dimension Parasha Teaching  

 

DVD & VHS format

Regularly $17.99

20% off Internet Special - buy now for $14.40

Acharei-Kedoshim

Leviticus 16:1--20:27

1st Aliya

16:1--16:24

2nd Aliya

16:25--17:7

3rd Aliya

17:8--18:21

4th Aliya

18:22--19:14

5th Aliya

19:15--19:32

6th Aliya

19:33--20:7

7th Aliya

20:8--20:27

Haftarah

Amos 9:7--15

 

Glossary of Names

 

Aharon--Aaron

 

B'Har Sinai--on Mount Sinai

 

C'na'an--Canaan

 

d'ror--liberty

 

egel--calf, young bull

 

Gan Eden--Garden of Eden

 

Halachah--Hebrew Law

 

kadosh--holy

 

kohen/cohen--priest

 

Kohen Gadol-- High Priest

 

minchah--meal-offering

 

Ohel Mo'ed --Tent of Meeting

 

Sh'mini--eighth

 

Yom Kippur--Day of Atonement

 

 

 


vaYikra (Leviticus) 16:1

1st Aliya

HaShem spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon's two sons, when they approached before HaShem, and they died. And HaShem said to Moshe: Speak to Aharon, your brother--he shall not come at all times into the Sanctuary, within the Curtain, in front of the Cover that is upon the Ark, so that he should not die; for in a cloud will I appear upon the Ark-cover.
The Torah introduces the Yom Kippur service by saying that spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon's two sons, Nadab and Abihu, which implies that there was a connection between the tragedy and Yom Kippur service. Why is the death of the righteous (Nadab and Abihu) mentioned in conjunction with the chapter of the Yom Kippur service? Because just as Yom Kippur brings atonement, so the death of the righteous brings atonement.

vaYikra (Leviticus) 16:25

2nd Aliya

And the fat of the sin-offering he shall cause to go up in smoke upon the Altar. The one who dispatches the he-goat to Azazel shall immerse his clothing and immerse himself in the water; thereafter he may enter the camp.

The Torah says: "This shall be to you an everlasting decree." This cannot mean that the Yom Kippur service will constantly be done and never be annulled. It is impossible to bring sacrifices except when the Holy Temple is standing. These cannot be brought now when there is no Temple. However, the Yom Kippur fast will always exist whether the Temple stands or not.

vaYikra (Leviticus) 17:8

3rd Aliya

And to them you shall say: Any man of the House of Yisra'el and of the proselyte who shall dwell among you will offer up an elevation-offering or a feast-offering, and he does not bring it to the entrance of the Ohel Mo'ed to perform its service to HaShem--that man shall be cut off (spiritually) from his people.

If one did not bring their sacrifice to be slaughtered at the Tent of Meeting entrance, but slaughtered it elsewhere, their punishment would be great. Shedding the blood of an animal as a sacrifice outside the designated place is counted the same as spilling the blood of a human being.

vaYikra (Leviticus) 18:22

4th Aliya

You shall not lie with a man as one lies with a woman, it is abomination. Do not lie with any animal to be contaminated with it; a women shall not give herself to an animal for mating, it is detestable perversion.

This is one of the most disgusting practices in G-d's Eyes. The penalty for this is death by stoning. The rectification for this is to fast 233 times. This is the numerical value of zakhur, which denotes "male." One must do this if he wishes to rectify his soul that it not be destroyed. The prohibition includes mammal, bird or reptile. The penalty for this is death by stoning. The rectification for this is to fast 213 times. One must also be careful not to watch animals or birds mating with each other.

vaYikra (Leviticus) 19:15

5th Aliya

You shall not commit a perversion of justice; you shall not favor the poor and you shall not honor the great; with righteous shall you judge your fellow.

Any judge who perverts justice causes the land to become unclean and desecrates G-d's holy Name, causing the Divine Presence to leave. This brings exile and destruction upon Yisra'el. R' Avraham Y'hoshua Heschel of Kopitchinitz used to say that the commandment to love your fellows does not mean to love saintly and righteous people--it is impossible not to love such people. G-d commands us to love even people whom it is hard to love.

vaYikra (Leviticus) 19:33

6th Aliya

When a proselyte dwells in your land, do not taunt them. The proselyte who dwells with you shall be like a native among you, and you shall love them like yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Mitzrayim--I am HaShem, your G-d.

We all must realize that we came from our own Mitzrayim, downtrodden and denigrated to dust, but still G-d came and redeemed us. From this we can see that G-d has mercy on the downtrodden and receives their tears. G-d protects them and avenges them against those who would crush them. Therefore, be very careful not to cause a proselyte grief. We can learn a lesson from ourselves. G-d had mercy on us when He saw our troubles and He liberated us.

vaYikra (Leviticus) 20:8

7th Aliya

Safe guard My decrees and keep them, since I, G-d am making you holy. Any person who curses his father and mother shall therefore be put to death. Since he has cursed his father or mother, his blood shall be in him.

HaShem is teaching us; "Be careful to keep My decrees. These are the laws that have no reason, such as forbidden species, or the like. The Evil Urge tempts one to sin. These laws have no reasons, therefore, keep My decrees and do them. Do not be lazy.

Return to Top