Chabad Rebbes

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...

This Torah reading contains the verse: “Perform My judgments and safeguard My statutes.” “Judgments” translates the Hebrew mishpatim, referring to those laws whose rationale can be comprehended by mortal intellect. “Statutes” translates the Hebrew chukim,...

Rabbi Nosson Gurary, one of the vintage shluchim who has been working on a college campus in upstate New York for over 30 years, recently related one of his early outreach experiences. It was Yom Kippur and he had been active for several weeks to organize...

It was Yom Kippur eve and everyone was in shul waiting for the Alter Rebbe to give the signal to begin the Kol Nidrei service. The Rebbe was wearing his kittel , the special Yom Kippur robe, and had lifted his tallis over his head. The entire congregation...

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...

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 “...

The Torah portions of Acharei and Kedoshim are uniquely related in terms of content. This is mirrored by the fact that in most years the two are read together. Acharei begins by describing the service of the High Priest in the Holy of Holies during Yom Ki...

The Torah portion of Acharei begins by stating:.Vayikra 16:1-2. “G-d spoke to Moshe after the death of Aharon’s two sons … Speak to your brother Aharon. [Tell him that] he is not to always enter the Holy of Holies….” What lesson can we learn from a law th...

According to the interpretation of the Or HaChayim, the Torah portion of Acharei beginsVayikra 16:1. as follows: “G-d spoke to Moshe [of] the death of Aharon’s two sons [Nadav and Avihu], who drew so close to G-d that they died.” The verse thereby indicat...