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You shall observe My decrees and My laws, which man shall carry out and by which he shall live. (18:5)

Chazal have derived from the words, “V’chai bahem“, “by which he shall live,” that the mitzvos were given for the sake of life, not death.  Consequently, if the performance of a ritual becomes life threatening, such as during a life threatening situation on  Shabbos,   life certainly takes precedence.  This is not considered to be a violation of the laws of Shabbos. The exceptions to this rule are the three cardinal sins:  idolatry, murder or adultery —  or chillul Hashem, in which violating a mitzvah would desecrate Hashem’s Name. We suggest another interpretation of “V’chai bahem“.  Many  people  would give…

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He shall don a sacred linen tunic; linen breeches shall be upon his flesh. (16:4)

The Kohen Gadol performed all of the daily rituals, as well as  part of the Yom Kippur service, while wearing  his golden vestments.  When the Kohen Gadol entered the Kodesh Hakodoshim, the Holy of Holies, to seek penance for Klal Yisrael, he  changed into the simple linen vestments. Since the Jewish People had sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf, it would have been inappropriate to seek penance wearing gold.  The material of gold acts as a prosecuting agent against the Jewish People.  Hence,  gold vestments are not  the appropriate attire  for effecting a positive response for forgiveness. We infer from…

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