May 4, 2024
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Acharei Mot, whichmeans, "afterthe death (of Aharon’s sons)," primarily focuses on the laws and rituals surrounding Yom Kippur, our holiest day of the year. It begins with instructions to Aharon, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), regarding how on Yom Kippur he should approach Hashem in the Kodesh Hakodashim (inner sanctuary of the Holy of Holies). Yom Kippur was the only day that Aharon entered the Kodesh Hakodashim and only Aharon was allowed to go in. The parsha continues with the detailed procedures for offering korbanot (sacrifices) and purifying himself before entering the Kodesh Hakodashim.
The most famous korban of the Yom Kippur Avodah was the korban of the Shnei Hasi’irim. Two identical goats were placed in front of Aharon, and then Aharon would do a lottery to determine their future. One goat was brought as a korban, this was called the Sa’ir LaHashem. The other goat was brought to Aharon who would lean on it, which symbolized that all of the aveirot (sins) of Bnei Yisrael would symbolically be transferred onto the goat. Then the goat was sent away to the desert, symbolizing separating ourselves from our aveirot. This second goat was known as the Sa’ir La’azazel (the Scapegoat).
ONE BIG IDEA
In parshat Acharei Mot, we learn of the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, the sons ofAharon,whodiedafterofferinga korban (Sacrifice) that they were not allowed to bring. One powerful lesson we can draw from this story is the importance of responsibility for our actions. Nadav and Avihu, though well-intentioned, acted against the Torah’s rules for korbanot. This serves as a reminder that even our best intentions must always be guided by the wisdom and rules ofthe Torah.
Parshat Acharei Mot concludes with reminders about not following in the negative ways of the Mitzrim (Egyptians) who we previously lived near, and the Kina’anim who Bnei Yisrael will eventually live with when they enter Eretz Yisrael. Hashem reminds Bnei Yisrael tofollow and live inthe ways ofthe Torah. The parsha ends by discussing in great detail the types of people who are and are not allowed to be married.
Candle-lighting: 7:36pm Havdalah: 8:36pm allah: 5:25pm
PARSHA STATS DID YOU KNOW…?
Mitzvot ..............................28 (2 Do’s, 26 Don’ts)
Lines in the Torah ..............154 (44th most)
Pesukim .............................80 (45th most)
Words ................................1170 (43rd most)
Letters................................4294 (45th most)
Year(s)................................2449
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
The two parshiot after Acharei Mot are Kedoshim and Emor. If you put all those words together, you get:After someone dies, we talk about their holiness. It’s true thatnot everyone is entirely holy, but we try to remember people’s good qualities rather than their bad ones so that we can try to have those qualities too. On Monday, we will observe Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Did you know that in Israel, the day is called Yom HaShoah V'hagvura (bravery)? That is because Israel emphasizes the quality of bravery so that we can try to be brave when we are faced with something that is difficult for us.
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name:
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
QUESTIONS
1. What is Yom Hashoah called in Israel?
2. How many mitzvot are there in this parsha?
3. Thought question: Should we be punished for doing something wrong if we were trying to do something right?
4. True or false: There were three important goats on Yom Kippur in the time of the Beit Hamikdash.
5. What was the only day of the year that Aharon went inside the Kodesh HaKodashim?