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Home -> 5759 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5759

This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement upon the Bnei Yisrael for all their sins once a year. (16:34)

The phrase, “once a year,”  underscores the significance of Yom Kippur.  We find a similar idiom regarding the festival of Succos. The Torah declares, “You shall celebrate it as a festival for Hashem, a seven-day period in the year” (Vayikra 23:41).  It seems that these two Yamim Tovim, festivals, distinguish themselves in that their hashpaah, spiritual influence, is to endure for “the year.”  Horav Mordechai Ilan, zl, notes that this idea applies only to Succos and Yom Kippur.  The parallel that exists between them is that the avodas Hashem, service to the Almighty, which is intrinsic to these festivals is…

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Home -> 5758 -> Acharei Mos

Moshe Marcovich
In Acharei Mos, 5758

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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Home -> 5758 -> Acharei Mos

Moshe Marcovich
In Acharei Mos, 5758

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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Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5757

After the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they approached before Hashem, and they died. (16:1)

The Midrash cites a number of causes for the premature deaths of Nadav and Avihu. In the final analysis, were they so bad? Could they have been worse than Titus ha’rasha, who entered the Kodesh Ha’kodoshim and emerged unscathed? Horav Chaim Moshe Schneider, zl, explains that apparently the difference lies in the nature of the individual. One’s responsibility to answer for his actions is commensurate with his spiritual level.  Nadav and Avihu had reached such a high plateau of closeness to the Al-mighty that even the slightest error in judgment was manifest as a grave sin.   Horav Schneider emphasizes…

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Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5757

And his cupped handful of finely ground incense-spices. (16:12)

The Kohen Gadol is finally prepared to appear before Hashem to implore His atonement on behalf of Klal Yisrael. He has said his Viddui and slaughtered his personal Korban Chatas. He is now ready to offer the Ketores, incense, in the Kodesh Ha’kodoshim. The Kohen Gadol enters the Holy of Holies once a year, on Yom Kippur. The first service he performs, the first request he makes of the Al-mighty, is to seek atonement for the sin of lashon hora, speaking gossip and slander.   The Ketores serves as the vehicle for this request. How does the offering of the…

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Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5757

This shall be to you an eternal decree to bring atonement upon Bnei Yisrael…And (Aharon) did as Hashem commanded Moshe. (16:34)

Rashi comments that when Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, arrives, Aharon was to carry out the service in the prescribed manner. The emphasis is placed upon the fact that when Aharon performed the Avodah, garbed in the regal vestments of the Kohen Gadol, his attitude was completely selfless; he did it only because it was the command of Hashem. Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, Shlita, notes the compelling nature of this statement. We are taught that Rav Chanina ben Dosa was once immersed in prayer.  So profound was his devotion during tefillah that when a snake bit…

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Home -> 5757 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5757

You shall safeguard My charge not to do any of the abominable traditions that were done before you. (18:30)

This pasuk is enigmatic. One would think that the purpose of observing mitzvos, of safeguarding the Torah’s dictate, would be to develop a closer relationship with Hashem. We attain a level of spiritual ascendancy commensurate with our commitment to observe. That, however, is not what the Torah says. We are adjured to safeguard the Torah ,so that we will decline to perform the abominable practices of the heathens into whose land we are entering! While these seem to be pretty strong words, it is not uncommon to find such statements throughout the Torah. One who observes, grows. In contrast, one…

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Home -> 5756 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5756

“Do not perform the practice of the land of Egypt where you dwelled; and do not perform the practice of the land of Canaan to which I bring you.” (18:3)

Why are these two nations singled out from among the other nations of the world? The prohibition against following the immoral practices of the nations applies to all of the nations. Horav Itzele Voloshiner, zl, explains that people tend to justify their environment. The Jews might have thought they could follow the practices of the Egyptians because they lived in Egypt. After all, “When in Rome do as the Romans.” It is especially difficult to live in a country and act “different” from everybody else. Perhaps, the Jews thought that since Hashem was bringing them to Canaan, it might be…

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Home -> 5756 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5756

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

The mitzvos of the Torah were given for the sake of life – not death. We generally accept that the concept of mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice, is a reference to one who is prepared to give up his life for Hashem. Horav E.M. Schach, Shlita, posits that this is not the Torah’s intent. Rather, mesiras nefesh is defined by man’s devotion to “live” as a Jew – despite challenging situations. The Torah values human life, demanding that we maintain a lifestyle of Torah and mitzvos throughout our lifetime. People are frequently prepared to go to war to risk their lives for…

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Home -> 5755 -> Acharei Mos

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Acharei Mos, 5755

“He shall don a sacred linen tunic; linen breeches shall be upon his flesh … he shall immerse himself in water and then don them.” (16:4)

On Yom Kippur, the Kohen Gadol would change into his regular gold vestments or into his white linen garments. He changed his clothing a total of five times, each time immersing himself in the mikveh. He wore the simple white garments when he performed the service inside the Sanctuary. In contrast, he wore the gold ones outside.  Horav Moshe Swift, z.l., remarks that in everyday life we, too, perform both ohbp ,sucg, service on the inside, and .uj ,sucg , service on the outside.  Service to one another within the parameters of our homes and community defines avodas penim, while…

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