Acharei Mot
Parshat Acharei-Mot /
Shabbat Hagadol
Most of this morning’s Torah reading describes the ceremonies and sacrifices that took place on Yom Kippur. The reading also describes how animals are to be slaughtered, and concludes with a list of forbidden sexual relationships.
First Aliyah - Leviticus chapter 16:1-16:17 pp. 679-682
On Yom Kippur special sacrifices were offered along with incense. There was also the ritual of sending the goat to the wilderness to symbolically carry away the sins of the people. A description of the preparations for the high priest to enter the holy of holies in the Temple.
Second Aliyah - 16:18-24 pp. 682-683
After slaughtering the other of the two goats as atonement for the community, the high priest would bathe, change his garments and pray on behalf of himself and the community.
Third Aliyah 16:25-34 pp. 683-685
The tenth day of the seventh month will always be the communal day of atonement and the high priest will always perform these rituals.
Fourth Aliyah - 17:1-7 pp. 685-686
Whenever anyone had to offer an animal, it had to be done at the tabernacle – no place else.
Fifth Aliyah - 17:8-18:5 pp. 687-689
A reminder not to eat blood because blood is the symbol of life. A prohibition against hunting animals, and against eating dead or torn animals. Animals may be consumed only if they have been ritually slaughtered. Chapter 18 begins by warning the people not to follow the behavior of the Egyptians or Canaanites.
Sixth Aliyah - 18:6-21 pp. 689-691
A list of all prohibited sexual relations.
Seventh Aliyah - 18:22-30 pp. 691-692
Not only will the people become impure if engaging in these illicit activities, but the land will become defiled.
Maftir - 18:27-30 p. 692
Haftorah - Malachi 3:4-24 pp. 1296-1298
Today is known as Shabbat HaGadol – the great Sabbath – based on the phrase found in the haftorah. The Shabbat immediately preceding Passover is a time to think about the themes of the holiday, including Elijah and our future redemption. Malachi refers to both in this section.
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