ב"ה
Rambam - 1 Chapter a Day
Avodat Yom haKippurim - Chapter 4
Avodat Yom haKippurim - Chapter 4
1The order of all the practices carried out on this day is the following:1 At midnight,2 the lottery is held for the removal of the ashes of the altar.3 The wood for the altar is arranged and the ashes are removed from the altar as is done each day according to the order we explained4 until they reach the slaughter of the continual offering.אסֵדֶר כָּל הַמַּעֲשִׂים שֶׁבְּיוֹם זֶה כָּךְ הוּא: בַּחֲצוֹת הַלַּיְלָה מְפִיסִין לִתְרוּמַת הַדֶּשֶׁן; וּמְסַדְּרִין אֶת הַמַּעֲרָכָה וּמְדַשְּׁנִין אֶת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁעוֹשִׂין בְּכָל יוֹם עַל הַסֵּדֶר שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ, עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ לִשְׁחִיטַת הַתָּמִיד.
When they reach the slaughter of the continual offering, a linen sheet is spread out between the High Priest and the people.5 Why is linen used? So that all will realize that the special service of the day is performed in linen garments. The High Priest removes his ordinary garments, immerses himself in the mikveh,6 puts on his golden garments, and sanctifies his hands and feet. He slits the majority of the two organs required to be slit for kosher slaughter7 on the animal sacrificed as the continual offering, but allows another person to complete the slaughter.8 He receives the blood and casts it on the altar as is commanded.כְּשֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ לִשְׁחֹט אֶת הַתָּמִיד פּוֹרְסִין סָדִין שֶׁל בּוּץ בֵּין כּוֹהֵן גָּדוֹל וּבֵין הָעָם. וְלָמָּה שֶׁל בּוּץ? כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּכִּיר שֶׁעֲבוֹדַת הַיּוֹם בְּבִגְדֵי בּוּץ. וּפוֹשֵׁט בִּגְדֵי חֹל, וְטוֹבֵל, וְלוֹבֵשׁ בִּגְדֵי זָהָב, וּמְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו. וְשׁוֹחֵט בַּתָּמִיד רֹב שְׁנַיִם, וּמַנִּיחַ אַחֵר לִגְמֹר הַשְּׁחִיטָה; וּמְקַבֵּל הַדָּם, וְזוֹרְקוֹ עַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ כְּמִצְוָתוֹ.
Afterwards, he enters the Temple Sanctuary and offers the morning incense offering and lights the lamps of the Menorah. He offers the limbs of the continual offering and the chavitin offering on the altar’s pyre and pours the libations according to the order in which the continual offering is brought every day as we explained.9 After the continual offering, he offers the bull and the seven sheep of the additional offering of the day.וְאַחַר כָּךְ נִכְנָס לַהֵיכָל, וּמַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת שֶׁל שַּׁחַר, וּמֵטִיב אֶת הַנֵּרוֹת, וּמַקְטִיר אֵיבָרֵי הַתָּמִיד וְהַחֲבִתִּין וְהַנְּסָכִים כְּכָל סֵדֶר הַתָּמִיד שֶׁל כָל יוֹם שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. וְאַחַר הַתָּמִיד, מַקְרִיב הַפָּר וְשִׁבְעַת הַכְּבָשִׂים שֶׁל מוּסַף הַיּוֹם.
Afterwards, he sanctifies his hands and feet and removes his golden garments. He immerses himself,10 puts on his white garments, and sanctifies his hands and feet. He approaches his bull. The bull was standing between the Entrance Hall and the altar with its head to the south, but facing the west.11וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו, וּפוֹשֵׁט בִּגְדֵי זָהָב, וְטוֹבֵל, וְלוֹבֵשׁ בִּגְדֵי לָבָן; וּמְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו, וּבָא לוֹ אֵצֶל פָּרוֹ. וּפָרוֹ הָיָה עוֹמֵד בֵּין הָאוּלָם וְלַמִּזְבֵּחַ, רֹאשׁוֹ לַדָּרוֹם וּפָנָיו לַמַּעֲרָב.
The High Priest would stand to the east and face the west. He would place his two hands on the head of the bull12 and recite the confessional. He would say: “I beseech You, O God.13 I have sinned, transgressed, and committed iniquity, both I and my household. I beseech You, O God, atone for the sins, transgressions, and iniquities that I and my household have committed, as it is written in the Torah of Moses Your servant Leviticus 16:30: ‘For on that day, he shall atone for you to purify yourselves for all their sins, before God you shall be purified.’”וְהַכּוֹהֵן עוֹמֵד בַּמִּזְרָח, וּפָנָיו לַמַּעֲרָב, וְסוֹמֵךְ שְׁתֵּי יָדָיו עַל רֹאשׁ הַפָּר, וּמִתְוַדֶּה. וְכָּךְ הָיָה אוֹמֵר 'אָנָּא ה', חָטָאתִי עֲוִיתִי פָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, אֲנִי וּבֵיתִי; אָנָּא ה', כַּפֵּר נָא לַחֲטָאִים וְלָעֲווֹנוֹת וְלַפְּשָׁעִים שֶׁחָטָאתִי וְשֶׁעֲוִיתִי וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, אֲנִי וּבֵיתִי, כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶךָ "כִּי בַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם לְטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם מִכֹּל חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם לִפְנֵי ה' תִּטְהָרוּ"' (ויקרא טז, ל).
Afterwards, he performs the lottery for the two goats.14 He ties a crimson cord on the head of the goat to be sent to Azazel and positions it in the direction where it will be sent and ties such a cord on the goat to be slaughtered, hanging it over the place where it will be slaughtered.וְאַחַר כָּךְ מַגְרִיל עַל שְׁנֵי הַשְּׂעִירִים, וְקוֹשֵׁר לָשׁוֹן שֶׁל זְהוֹרִית בְּרֹאשׁ שָׂעִיר הַמִּשְׁתַּלֵּחַ, וּמַעְמִידוֹ כְּנֶגֶד בֵּית שִׁלּוּחוֹ, וְלַנִּשְׁחָט כְּנֶגֶד בֵּית שְׁחִיטָתוֹ.
He approaches his bull a second time and places both his hands on its head and recites a second confessional. He would say: “I beseech You, O God. I have sinned, transgressed, and committed iniquity, I, my household, and the descendants of Aaron, Your holy nation. I beseech You, O God, atone for the sins, transgressions, and iniquities that I, my household, and the descendants of Aaron, Your holy nation, have committed, as it is written in the Torah of Moses Your servant Leviticus 16:30: ‘For on that day....’”וּבָא לוֹ אֵצֶל פָּרוֹ שְׁנִיָּה, וְסוֹמֵךְ שְׁתֵּי יָדָיו עַל רֹאשׁוֹ, וּמִתְוַדֶּה וִדּוּי שֵׁנִי. וְכָּךְ הוּא אוֹמֵר 'אָנָּא ה', חָטָאתִי עֲוִיתִי פָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, אֲנִי וּבֵיתִי וּבְנֵי אַהֲרוֹן עַם קְדוֹשֶׁיךָ; אָנָּא ה', כַּפֵּר נָא לַחֲטָאִים וְלָעֲווֹנוֹת וְלַפְּשָׁעִים שֶׁחָטָאתִי וְשֶׁעֲוִיתִי וְשֶׁפָּשַׁעְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ, אֲנִי וּבֵיתִי וּבְנֵי אַהֲרוֹן עַם קְדוֹשֶׁיךָ, כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶךָ "כִּי בַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם . . ."' (ויקרא טז, ל).
Afterwards, he slaughters the bull and receives its blood. He gives it to another priest to stir so that it will not coagulate.15 He places it on the fourth projection outside the Temple Building.16 He takes the fire pan and uses it to remove burning coals from the altar from those close to the western side, for ibid.:12 speaks of taking coals “from the altar before God.”17 He places it on the projection in the Temple Courtyard.וְאַחַר כָּךְ שׁוֹחֵט אֶת הַפָּר, וּמְקַבֵּל אֶת דָּמוֹ, וְנוֹתְנוֹ לְמִי שֶׁהוּא מְנַדְנְדוֹ שֶׁלֹּא יִקְרֹשׁ, עַל הָרֹבֶד הָרְבִיעִי שֶׁל הֵיכָל מִבַּחוּץ. וְנוֹטֵל אֶת הַמַּחְתָּה וְחוֹתֶה בָּהּ אֵשׁ מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, מִן הַסָּמוּךְ לַמַּעֲרָב, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ מִלִּפְנֵי ה'" (ויקרא טז, יב); וְיוֹרֵד, וּמַנִּיחָהּ עַל הָרֹבֶד שֶׁבָּעֲזָרָה.
The kaf18 is taken out for him and a container filled with incense that is extremely fine.19 He would take a full handful of incense.20 The handfuls of incense should not be pressed closely to his hand, nor piled up upon it, but rather overlapping it slightly.21 A High Priest with large hands should take large handfuls; one with small hands, smaller handfuls. He should place the incense in the kaf.וּמוֹצִיאִין לוֹ אֶת הַכַּף, וּכְלִי מָלֵא קְטֹרֶת דַּקָּה מִן הַדַּקָּה, וְחוֹפֵן מִמֶּנָּה מְלוֹא חָפְנָיו, לֹא מְחוּקוֹת וְלֹא גְּדוּשׁוֹת אֶלָא טְפוּפוֹת - הַגָּדוֹל לְפִי גָּדְלוֹ, וְהַקָּטָן לְפִי קָטְנוֹ; וְנוֹתֵן לְתוֹךְ הַכַּף.
We already explained,22 that carrying a sacrificial substance in one’s left hand disqualifies it with regard to the blood of the sacrificial animals and other services. Hence, it would be appropriate that he should carry the firepan in his left hand and the kaf with the incense in his right hand. Nevertheless, because of the weight of the firepan—and because it is hot—he would not be able to carry it with his left hand until he reached the Holy Ark. Therefore he should carry the firepan in his right hand and the kaf with the incense in his left.23כְּבָר בֵּאַרְנוּ שֶׁהוֹלָכָה בַּשְּׂמֹאל פּוֹסֶלֶת בְּדַם הַקֳדָשִׁים וּבִשְׁאָר הָעֲבוֹדוֹת. לְפִיכָךְ הָיָה מִן הַדִּין שֶׁיּוֹלִיךְ הַמַּחְתָּה בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ, וְכַף הַקְּטֹרֶת בִּימִינוֹ; אֲבָל מִפְּנֵי כֹּבֶד הַמַּחְתָּה, וְעוֹד שֶׁהִיא חָמָה, אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְסָבְלָהּ בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ עַד הָאָרוֹן, לְפִיכָךְ נוֹטֵל הַמַּחְתָּה בִּימִינוֹ, וְכַף הַקְּטֹרֶת בִּשְׂמֹאלוֹ.
He proceeds through the Sanctuary until he reaches the Holy of Holies. He finds the Parochet folded over.24 He proceeds into the Holy of Holies until he reaches the Holy Ark. When he reaches the ark, he places the firepan down between the two staves. In the Second Temple, when there was no ark, he would place it on the Foundation Stone.25וּמְהַלֵּךְ בַּהֵיכָל עַד שֶׁהוּא מַגִּיעַ לְקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳדָשִׁים. מָצָא הַפָּרֹכֶת פְּרוּפָה, נִכְנָס לְקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳדָשִׁים עַד שֶׁהוּא מַגִּיעַ לָאָרוֹן. הִגִּיעַ לָאָרוֹן, נוֹתֵן אֶת הַמַּחְתָּה בֵּין שְׁנֵי הַבַּדִּים. וּבְבַיִת שֵׁנִי שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה אָרוֹן, הָיָה מַנִּיחָהּ עַל אֶבֶן הַשְּׁתִיָּה.
He would hold the edge of the kaf with his fingertips or with his teeth and push the incense with his thumb into his hand until he has a full handful as before. This was one of the difficult tasks in the Temple.וְאוֹחֵז שְׂפַת הַכַּף בְּרָאשֵׁי אֶצְבְּעוֹתָיו אוֹ בְּשִׁנָּיו, וּמְעָרֶּה הַקְּטֹרֶת בְּגֻדָּלוֹ לְתוֹךְ חָפְנָיו עַד שֶׁמַּחְזִירָהּ לִמְלוֹא חָפְנָיו כְּשֶׁהָיְתָה. וְזוֹ הִיא עֲבוֹדָה קָשָׁה שֶׁבַּמִּקְדָּשׁ.
He would pile the incense26 over the coals with his hands on the inner portion of the firepan so that the incense would be close to the Ark and far from his face so that he would not be burnt.27 He waits there until the entire chamber fills up with smoke and then departs. He walks backwards little by little with his face to the Holy of Holies and his back to the Sanctuary28 until he departs from within the parochet.וְצוֹבֵר אֶת הַקְּטֹרֶת עַל גַּבֵּי הַגֶּחָלִים בְּיָדוֹ לִפְנִים בַּמַּחְתָּה, כְּדֵי שֶׁתִּהְיֶה הַקְּטֹרֶת קְרוֹבָה לָאָרוֹן, רְחוֹקָה מִפָּנָיו - שֶׁלֹּא יִכָּוֶה. וּמַמְתִּין שָׁם עַד שֶׁיִּתְמַלֵּא הַבַּיִת עָשָׁן, וְיוֹצֵא. וְהוּא מְהַלֵּךְ אֲחוֹרַנִּית מְעַט מְעַט, פָּנָיו לַקֹּדֶשׁ וַאֲחוֹרָיו לַהֵיכָל, עַד שֶׁיָּצָא מִן הַפָּרֹכֶת.
He recites a short prayer in the Sanctuary so as not to scare the people, lest they say: “He died in the Sanctuary.”29 He would pray in this manner: “May it be Your will, God, our Lord, that if this year was to be arid, it should be rainy. May the sovereignty not depart from the House of Judah. May Your nation Israel not be in need of sustenance.30 And may You not accept the prayers of wayfarers.”31וּמִתְפַּלֵּל שָׁם בַּהֵיכָל אַחַר שֶׁיָּצָא תְּפִלָּה קְצָרָה - שֶׁלֹּא לְהַבְעִית אֶת הָעָם, שֶׁמָּא יֹאמְרוּ מֵת בַּהֵיכָל. וְכָּךְ הָיָה מִתְפַּלֵּל 'יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ, שֶׁאִם הָיְתָה שָׁנָה זוֹ שְׁחוּנָה תִּהְיֶה גְּשׁוּמָה. וְלֹא יָסוּר שֵׁבֶט מִבֵּית יְהוּדָה. וְלֹא יִהְיוּ עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל צְרִיכִין לְפַרְנָסָה, וְאַל תִּכָּנֵס לְפָנֶיךָ תְּפִלַּת עוֹבְרֵי דְרָכִים'.
2When the incense offering was brought in the Holy of Holies, all of the people would withdraw from the Sanctuary alone.32 They would not withdraw from the area between the Entrance Hall and the altar, for it is not necessary to leave the area between the Entrance Hall and the altar except when bringing the daily incense offering and when blood is being presented in the Sanctuary,33 as we explained in Hilchot Temidim.34בבִּשְׁעַת הַקְטָרַת הַקְּטֹרֶת בְּקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳדָשִׁים כָּל הָעָם פּוֹרְשִׁים מִן הַהֵיכָל בִּלְבַד, וְאֵינָן פּוֹרְשִׁים מִבֵּין הָאוּלָם וְלַמִּזְבֵּחַ; שֶׁאֵין פּוֹרְשִׁים מִבֵּין הָאוּלָם וְלַמִּזְבֵּחַ אֶלָא בִּשְׁעַת הַקְטָרָה בַּהֵיכָל בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְשָׁעַת מַתַּן דָּמִים בַּהֵיכָל, כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ בְּהִלְכוֹת תְּמִידִין.
Afterwards, he takes the blood of the bull from the priest who was stirring it and takes it into the Holy of Holies. He sprinkles it eight times between the staves of the Ark.35 He departs and places it down in the Sanctuary on a golden base located there. He then departs from the Sanctuary and slaughters the goat, receives its blood, and brings it into the Holy of Holies. He sprinkles it eight times between the staves of the Ark.וְאַחַר כָּךְ נוֹטֵל דַּם הַפָּר מִזֶּה שֶׁהוּא מְנַדְנְדוֹ, וְנִכְנָס בּוֹ לְקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳדָשִׁים; וּמַזֶּה מִמֶּנּוּ שָׁם שְׁמוֹנָה הַזָּיוֹת בֵּין בַּדֵּי הָאָרוֹן וְיוֹצֵא, וּמַנִּיחוֹ בַּהֵיכָל עַל כַּן הַזָּהָב שֶׁהָיָה שָׁם. וְאַחַר כָּךְ יוֹצֵא מִן הַהֵיכָל וְשׁוֹחֵט אֶת הַשָּׂעִיר, וּמְקַבֵּל דָּמוֹ, וְנִכְנָס בּוֹ לְקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳדָשִׁים, וּמַזֶּה מִמֶּנּוּ שָׁם שְׁמוֹנָה הַזָּיוֹת בֵּין בַּדֵּי הָאָרוֹן וְיוֹצֵא, וּמַנִּיחוֹ עַל כַּן שֵׁנִי שֶׁבַּהֵיכָל.
He then departs and places it down on a second gold base in the Sanctuary. Afterwards, he lifts up the blood of the bull from the base and sprinkles it on the parochet opposite the ark eight times. He puts down the blood of the bull and picks up the blood of the goat and sprinkles it on the parochet opposite the ark eight times.וְאַחַר כָּךְ נוֹטֵל דַּם הַפָּר מֵעַל הַכַּן וּמַזֶּה מִמֶּנּוּ עַל הַפָּרֹכֶת כְּנֶגֶד הָאָרוֹן שְׁמוֹנָה הַזָּיוֹת, וּמַנִּיחַ דַּם הַפָּר, וְנוֹטֵל דַּם הַשָּׂעִיר וּמַזֶּה מִמֶּנּוּ עַל הַפָּרֹכֶת כְּנֶגֶד הָאָרוֹן שְׁמוֹנָה הַזָּיוֹת.
Afterwards, he pours the blood of the bull into the blood of the goat and pours the entire mixture into the container where the blood of the bull had been held so that they will be mixed thoroughly and stands before the golden altar, between the Menorah and the golden altar.36 He begins to apply37 the mixture of blood on the corners of the golden altar. He proceeds to circle it,38 sprinkling the blood on its corners from the outside as he proceeds.וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְעַרֶּה דַּם הַפָּר לְתוֹךְ דַּם הַשָּׂעִיר, וּמַחְזִיר הַכֹּל לַמִּזְרָק שֶׁהָיָה בּוֹ דַּם הַפָּר, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּתְעָרְבוּ יָפֶה יָפֶה. וְעוֹמֵד לִפְנִים מִמִּזְבַּח הַזָּהָב, בֵּין הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְהַמְּנוֹרָה, וּמַתְחִיל לְהַזּוֹת מִדַּם הַתַּעֲרֹבֶת עַל קַרְנוֹת מִזְבַּח הַזָּהָב, וְהוּא מְסַבֵּב וְהוֹלֵךְ וּמַזֶּה עַל הַקְּרָנוֹת מִבַּחוּץ.
He begins from the northeast corner,39 proceeds to the northwest, the southwest, and then to the southeast. In all instances, he applies the blood from below upward40 with the exception of the last application in which instance, the corner is directly before of him. Hence he applies the blood from above downward so that his garments will not become soiled.41 He then moves the coals and the ashes of the Golden Altar back and forth until its golden surface is revealed. He applies the blood of the mixture on the pure golden surface of the altar seven times on its southern side, the place where he completed applying the blood to the corners. He then departs from the Sanctuary and pours the remainder of the blood on the west base of the outer altar.42וּמַתְחִיל מִקֶּרֶן מִזְרָחִית צְפוֹנִית, לִצְפוֹנִית מַעַרָבִית, לְמַעַרָבִית דְּרוֹמִית, לִדְרוֹמִית מִזְרָחִית. וְעַל כֻּלָּן הוּא נוֹתֵן מִלְּמַטָּן לְמַעְלָן - חוּץ מִן הָאַחֲרוֹנָה שֶׁהָיְתָה לְפָנָיו, שֶׁהוּא נוֹתֵן מִלְמַעְלָן לְמַטָּן, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִתְלַכְלְכוּ כֵּלָיו. וְחוֹתֶה הַגֶּחָלִים וְהָאֵפֶר שֶׁבְּמִזְבַּח הַזָּהָב הֵילַּךְ וְהֵילַּךְ עַד שֶׁמְּגַלֶּה זְהָבוֹ, וּמַזֶּה מִדַּם הַתַּעֲרֹבֶת עַל טָהֳרוֹ שֶׁל מִּזְבֵּחַ שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים בְּצַד הַדָּרוֹם, בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁשָּׁלְמוּ מַתְּנוֹת קַרְנוֹתָיו; וְיוֹצֵא, וְשׁוֹפֵךְ שְׁיָרֵי הַדָּם עַל יְסוֹד מַעְרָבִי שֶׁל מִזְבֵּחַ הַחִיצוֹן.
Afterwards, he approaches the goat to be sent to Azazel. He places his two hands on its head43 and recites the confessional, saying: “I beseech You, O God. Your nation, the House of Israel, have sinned, transgressed, and committed iniquity. I beseech You, O God, atone for the sins, transgressions, and iniquities that Your nation, the House of Israel, have committed, as it is written in the Torah of Moses Your servant Leviticus 16:30: ‘For on that day, he will atone for you...’”וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּא אֵצֶל שָׂעִיר הַמִּשְׁתַּלֵּחַ, וְסוֹמֵךְ שְׁתֵּי יָדָיו עַל רֹאשׁוֹ, וּמִתְוַדֶּה. וְכָּךְ הוּא אוֹמֵר 'אָנָּא ה', חָטְאוּ וְעָווּ וּפָשְׁעוּ לְפָנֶיךָ עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל; אָנָּא ה', כַּפֵּר נָא לַחֲטָאִים וְלָעֲווֹנוֹת וְלַפְּשָׁעִים שֶׁחָטְאוּ וְשֶׁעָווּ וְשֶׁפָּשְׁעוּ לְפָנֶיךָ עַמְּךָ בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה עַבְדֶךָ "כִּי בַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר עַלֵיכֶם..."' (ויקרא טז, לׂ).
Afterwards, he sends the goat to the desert. He removes the fats and the organs from the bull and the goat that were slaughtered and whose blood was brought within the Temple Building and places them in a vessel. He sends the remainder to the ash pile to be burnt. He then goes out to the Women’s Courtyard and reads the Torah there after the goat reaches the desert.וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְשַׁלֵּחַ הַשָּׂעִיר לַמִּדְבָּר, וּמוֹצִיא אֵמוּרֵי פַּר וְשָׂעִיר שֶׁהִכְנִיס דָּמָן לִפְנִים וְנוֹתְנָן בִּכְלִי, וּמְשַׁלֵּחַ הַשְּׁאָר לְבֵית הַדֶּשֶׁן לִשְׂרֵפָה. וְיוֹצֵא לַעֶזְרַת נָשִׁים וְקוֹרֵא שָׁם, אַחַר שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ שָׂעִיר לַמִּדְבָּר.
He then sanctifies his hands and feet, removes his white garments, immerses himself, puts on his golden garments, and sanctifies his hands and feet. He sacrifices the goat that is offered outside that is one of the additional offerings of the day and sacrifices his ram and the ram of the people, as ibid.:24 states: “And he goes out and offers his burnt-offering and the burnt-offering of the people.” He offers the fats and organs of the bull and the goat which are burnt and offers the afternoon continual offering.וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְקַדֵּשׁ, וּפוֹשֵׁט בִּגְדֵי לָבָן, וְטוֹבֵל, וְלוֹבֵשׁ בִּגְדֵי זָהָב, וּמְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו; וְעוֹשֶׂה הַשָּׂעִיר הַנַּעֲשֶׂה בַּחוּץ, שֶׁהוּא מִכְּלַל קָרְבְּנוֹת מוּסַף הַיּוֹם. וּמַקְרִיב אֵילוֹ וְאֵיל הָעָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וְיָצָא וְעָשָׂה אֶת עֹלָתוֹ וְאֶת עֹלַת הָעָם" (ויקרא טז, כד); וּמַקְטִיר הָאֵמוּרִין שֶׁל פָר וְשָׂעִיר הַנִּשְׂרָפִין, וּמַקְרִיב תָּמִיד שֶׁל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם.
Afterwards, he sanctifies his hands and feet, removes his golden garments, immerses himself, puts on his white garments, and sanctifies his hands and feet. He enters the Holy of Holies and removes the kaf and the firepan.וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְקַדֵּשׁ, וּפוֹשֵׁט בִּגְדֵי זָהָב, וְטוֹבֵל, וְלוֹבֵשׁ בִּגְדֵי לָבָן, וּמְקַדֵּשׁ; וְנִכְנָס לְקֹדֶשׁ הַקֳדָשִׁים וּמוֹצִיא אֶת הַכַּף וְאֶת הַמַּחְתָּה.
Afterwards, he sanctifies his hands and feet, removes his white garments, immerses himself, puts on his golden garments, and sanctifies his hands and feet. He offers the afternoon incense offering and kindles the lamps of the Menorah for the evening as on other days.וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְקַדֵּשׁ, וּפוֹשֵׁט בִּגְדֵי לָבָן, וְטוֹבֵל, וְלוֹבֵשׁ בִּגְדֵי זָהָב, וּמְקַדֵּשׁ; וּמַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת שֶׁל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם, וּמֵטִיב אֶת הַנֵּרוֹת שֶׁל בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם כִּשְׁאָר הַיָּמִים.
He then sanctifies his hands and feet, removes his golden garments, puts on his own clothes and goes home. All of the people accompany him to his home. He would make a festive celebration because he departed from the holy place in peace.44וְאַחַר כָּךְ מְקַדֵּשׁ יָדָיו וְרַגְלָיו, וּפוֹשֵׁט בִּגְדֵי זָהָב, וְלוֹבֵשׁ בִּגְדֵי עַצְמוֹ, וְיוֹצֵא לְבֵיתוֹ. וְכָל הָעָם מְלַוִּין אוֹתוֹ עַד בֵּיתוֹ. וְיוֹם טוֹב הָיָה עוֹשֶׂה עַל שֶׁיָּצָא בְּשָׁלוֹם מִן הַקֹּדֶשׁ.
Footnotes
1.
This order is significant, because as stated in the following chapter, if the High Priest does not perform the services that must be perfonned while wearing his linen garments in the correct order, they are disqualified and must be performed again in order.
2.
As stated in Hilchat Temidim UMusafim 6:1, usually, the lottery and the removal of the ashes was held shortly before dawn. On Yorn Kippur, they were perfonned earlier in order to allow the High Priest to carry out his service as soon as possible.
3.
See ibid., ch. 4, for a description of this lottery.
These initial tasks were performed by ordinary priests. Although in Chapter 1, Halachah 2, the Rambam states that “all the... services performed on this day... are performed by a... High Priest,” these services are not included, because they are merely preparations for service and not acts of service themselves (Kessef Mishneh).
4.
Hilchat Temidim UMusafim, ch. 2.
5.
For the sake of modesty.
6.
In contrast to the subsequent immersions, this one was performed in a mikveh outside the Temple Courtyard (Yama 3:3).
7.
The windpipe and the gullet. See Hilchot Shechitah 1:9.
As stated there: “Superior slaughter involves cutting both of them.... [After the fact,] if one cut the majority... the majority of both of them for an animal or a beast, the slaughter is acceptable.”
8.
Once the windpipe and the gullet are slit, completing the remainder of the slaughter is not an absolute necessity. Hence it need not be performed by the High Priest.
9.
Hilchot Temidim UMusafim, ch. 6.
10.
This and the subsequent immersions were performed in the mikveh located above the Chamber of Parve (Yoma 3:6).
11.
I.e., the bull was standing with its head facing the altar and its rear toward the northern wall of the Temple Courtyard, but its head was turned to the west. See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 1:7. It was positioned in the northern portion of the Temple Courtyard, because all sacrifices of the most sacred order must be slaughtered in the northern portion.
12.
Performing the ritual act of semichah which precedes the slaughter of a sacrifice.
13.
Mentioning the name Y-H-V-H, as stated in Chapter 2, Halachah 6.
14.
See Chapter 3, Halachah 2.
15.
For there will be an interim of time - during which the High Priest brings the incense into the Holy of Holies between the slaughter of the bull and the offering of its blood.
16.
In his notes to the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (Yoma 4:3), Rav Kappach translates the Arabic term used by the Rambam as referring to a projection resembling a bench that was made from stone.
17.
The western side of the altar is the side closest to the entrance to the Temple Building.
18.
The ladle in which the incense was held. See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 3:4-5.
19.
For in addition to being ground together with the remainder of the incense, this incense was ground a second time on the day before Yom Kippur (Keritot 6b; Hilchot K’lei HaMikdash 2:3).
20.
See Chapter 5, Halachah 28; with regard to particular laws governing the taking of the handful of incense.
21.
I.e., the handful of incense he holds should not be so small that he can clasp his hand closed firmly, nor be so large that his fingers are removed from his palm, but large enough that they will be held over the hand slightly.
22.
Hilchot Bi’at HaMikdash 5:18.
23.
The Kessef Mishneh questions whether carrying a sacrificial substance with one’s left hand disqualifies it according to Scriptural Law or only according to Rabbinic decree. He suggests that carrying sacrificial blood is unacceptable according to Scriptural Law, but carrying incense is only forbidden by Rabbinic decree and here, because of the extenuating circumstances, they did not institute such a decree.
24.
This curtain was folded over and hung up with hooks to allow the High Priest easy access (Yoma 52b). The Rambam mentions one curtain and not two, because he is speaking about the era of the First Temple. In the era of the Second Temple, there were two curtains and the High Priest would proceed between them. See ibid. 54a.
25.
See Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 4:1.
27.
See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 3:8.
28.
As an act of respect so that he will not tum his rear to the Ark. See Hilchot Heit HaBechirah 7:4.
29.
A High Priest who was not righteous would die within the year after performing the service in the Holy of Holies. For this reason, there was a continuous change in those who held this position in the Second Temple Era. If they were particularly unworthy or if they did not offer the incense in the proper manner, they would die immediately [see the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah (Yoma 5:1)].
30.
Yoma 52b, the Rambam’s source adds the words “from each other.” They are also included in the Avodah prayers in most machzorim.
31.
The wayfarers pray that their journeys not be interrupted by rain. While this might be to their individual benefit, it was not desirous for the people as a whole.
32.
Leviticus 16:17 states: “And no person should be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to atone.”
33.
I.e., in each instance, the people must withdraw one level further than the place where the service bringing atonement was performed.
34.
See Hilchot Temidim UMusafim 3:3.
35.
As described in Chapter 3, Halachah 5.
36.
The commentaries (the Kessef Mishneh here who quotes the Rashba; the Radbaz in his gloss to Hilchot Ma’aseh HaK.orbanot 5:14) have questioned the Rambam’s statements here because they appear contradictory and also because they appear to follow the opinion of Rabbi Eliezar (Yoma 5:4) which is a minority view. Nevertheless, Rabbi Akiva Eiger quotes an ancient Tosafot (see also Rav Kappach’s notes to the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishnah) that resolves the Rambam’s ruling. According to that text, the verse (Leviticus 16:18): “he shall go out to the altar” means that he must go out past the altar. Since he departed from the south side of the Holy of Holies, he will be standing on the southeastern comer of the altar.
37.
Although the same Hebrew term haza’ah is used as before, in this instance, the High Priest applies the blood directly to the altar’s comers with his finger rather than sprinkling it from afar.
38.
With his hand; he did not actually walk around the altar.
39.
Extending his hand there first. Since one must always circle to the right, the first comer he will encounter will be the northeastern one.
40.
Since he is extending his hand outward, the blood will not drip down his finger.
41.
Otherwise, since he would be holding his hand upright to administer the blood, the blood would drip down his finger and soil his sleeve.
42.
The side of the altar he encounters when leaving the Temple Building.
43.
This is a unique act, for in only one other instance is semichah performed on a communal offering (Hilchot Ma’aseh HaKorbanot 3:10).
44.
For as mentioned above, there were High Priests who died in the midst of the Yorn Kippur service because of their sins.
Rabbi Eliyahu Touger is a noted author and translator, widely published for his works on Chassidut and Maimonides.
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The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.
Vowelized Hebrew text courtesy Torat Emet under CC 2.5 license.
The text on this page contains sacred literature. Please do not deface or discard.
