Our Torah portion begins with the mention of the death of Aaron’s two sons, and the instruction to stay away from the holy sanctuary. First he must make an atonement for himself and his household. Why: because a priest must be purified before he can begin to serve the congregation, and accept the offerings of the community. These chapters include a complex description of offerings that are focused on the day of atonement.

In fact, much of the traditional Torah readings for Yom Kippur morning are taken from these chapters. Through sacrifices and the ritual of the scapegoat, the transgressions of both the sanctuary and the community are expiated. At the climax of the narrative, God ordains that this ritual should be practiced for all time, “for on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins; you shall be clean before the Lord.”

It is part of the essence of Yom Kippur that in the course of a day, we are taken from transgression to cleanliness. In the life cycle, it is the movement from death to resurrection, and from the cycles of nature, the cold of winter to the rebirth of spring.

Join us for an in depth discussion of our Torah thoughts this Shabbat morning!