The one that talks about the responsibilities of the high priest on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and the “scapegoat.”
The parashah begins by describing the elaborate cleansing process that the high priest must undergo to purify himself before entering the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the tabernacle (Mishkan in Hebew). This process involves ritual baths and clothing changes.
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest performs a series of sacrifices, including a sin offering for himself and one for the entire community. He also selects two goats through a lottery system: one goat is sacrificed as a sin offering, while the other is designated as the “scapegoat.” The high priest places the sins of the people onto the scapegoat and sends it into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of their sins.
The parashah also digs into the importance of moral behavior within the community and emphasizes the need to avoid the practice of worshiping idols, which is common among neighboring nations.
The parashah also tells the difference between clean and unclean animals, as well as the proper method of slaughtering and eating clean ones. These dietary restrictions keep the holiness and purity of the Israelite community. This is why kosher meat has had all the blood removed. No kosher steaks are served rare! Most of the kosher laws are found in Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14.
In summary, Parashah Achrei Mot provides a thorough account of the Day of Atonement rituals performed by the high priest, showing the importance of moral and dietary purity and warning against forbidden practices. This parashah serves as a comprehensive guide for building spiritual and moral integrity within the community and reinforcing the concept of atonement.
These lessons are meant to help us become better people and live good, fulfilling lives. They can be guides for how we treat others and make choices in our everyday lives.
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