Acharei

Acharei Mot begins by mentioning the death of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. Their death, related in the Sidra of Shemini, is something of a mystery, for on the one hand they seemed to be punished for their faults, while on the other, a Midrashic com...

This week’s Torah reading presents somewhat of a paradox. The opening passages speak about Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, the day on which the Jewish people “resemble the angels.” On that day, they “purify themselves before G-d.” Conversely, the...

Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XXXII, p. 98ff; Sefer HaSichos 5750, p. 428ff A Moment of Drama The seven-day dedication of the Sanctuary was over, and despite the expectations of the Jewish people, the Divine Presence had not become manifest. Even aft...

The Death of Aharon's Sons Our Torah reading begins with the verse:Vayikra 16:1."G-d spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon's two sons [Nadav and Avihu], who drew close to G-d and died." One might ask: Why does the verse conclude "and died"? It begins b...

Introduction Rambam concludes Sefer Kedushah, “the Book of Holiness,” by describing the mitzvah to cover the blood of a slaughtered fowl or undomesticated animal. He completes his discussion of the subject by saying, “When one covers [the blood with earth...

Introduction One of the fundamental principles of Torah Law is the preeminence given to a Jew’s life. So basic is this value that, at the very beginning of his Mishneh Torah, when outlining Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah, “The Laws [that are] the Fundamentals of...

Introduction Parshas Acharei describes the service performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Beis HaMikdash on Yom Kippur. However, it begins, Vayikra 16:1-2. “G‑d spoke to Moshe after the death of the two sons of Aharon, when they drew close before G‑d and die...

The sixth section of the Book of Leviticus opens as G-d addresses Moses after (Acharei, in Hebrew) the death of his brother Aaron’s two oldest sons (which was recounted in the third section, Shemini). G-d gives Moses the laws regarding the Day of Atonemen...

The Torah portion of Acharei beginsVayikra 16:1-3. See also commentary of Rashi. with G-d instructing Moshe — after Aharon’s two elder sons died as a result of their unauthorized entry into the Holy of Holies — to warn his brother against making the same ...

The Torah portion of Acharei begins with the words:Vayikra 16:1. “G-d spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon’s two sons, [Nadav and Avihu] upon drawing close to G-d and they died.” Why does the verse conclude “and they died” when it had already stated “...