After the two sons of Aaron died (in Parshah Shemini), G‑d warns against anybody going into the special chamber of the Miskan called the Holy of Holies. Only Aaron himself may enter, once a year, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. Another thing done on Yom Kippur is that two goats are taken and a lottery is made. One goat is offered to G‑d and the second one, to "azazel", is sent to the wilderness to atone for the sins of the Jews.

Other important warnings in the Parshah of Acharie: It is forbidden to bring a korban (sacrifice), anywhere but in the Holy Temple. It is forbidden to eat blood in any way (this is why all kosher meat is salted—to take out the blood, and why we check eggs for blood before using); and a discussion of those who we are forbidden to marry.

Kedoshim means "holy" and the Parshah of Kedoshim begins with G‑d telling us: "You should be holy because I, your G‑d, am holy." But how can we be holy? By doing the mitzvot that G‑d commands. The rest of the Parshah Kedoshim gives us many different mitzvot through which we can be holy. Some of the mitzvot given in this Parshah are:

  • do not lie

  • do not steal

  • don't swear falsely

  • don't withhold your worker's wages—if somebody works for you, pay him right away

  • don't bear a grudge

  • don't take revenge

  • don't spread gossip about others

  • keep Shabbat

  • stand up when somebody respectable comes into the room

  • give charity to the poor

  • respect the elderly

  • when a person gathers the wheat from his field, he should leave a corner for poor people

  • and a very important mitzvah: "Love your fellow as yourself."