Parashat Acharei Mot

'''Parashat Acharei Mot''' is the sixth parsha in the Book of Vayikra. It is often read lounge with [[Parashat Kedoshim]].

==Following Death of Nadav and Avihu==
Hashem spoke to Moshe following the death of Aaron's two sons. Nadav and Avihu had died after entering the Kodesh HaKodashim in attempt to draw too close to Hashem. Moshe was instructed to warn Aharon not to enter the Holy in a prohibited manner to avoid a similar death as his sons.<ref>Rashi Vayikra 16:1</ref>

==Yom Kippor Service==
Hashem told Moshe to instruct Aharon that he should not enter the Kodesh HaKodashim, past the curtain dividing the Araon from the Ohel Moed so he should not die the way his sons died<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:2">Rashi Vayikra 16:2</ref>. If he does enter except with the cloud of incense on Yom Kippur,<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:2"/> he will die<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:2"/> since Hashem's pillar of cloud and Divine Presence<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:2"/> are revealed over the ark cover.

===Yom Kippor Requirements===
Aharon and any High Priest that follows must do the following service on Yom Kippor<ref>Rashi Vayikra 16:3</ref> in order to enter the Holy of Holies.

===Immersions===
On Yom Kippor the Kohen Gadol must immerse himself in the mikve on five occasions, once for each time he changes his garments when transferring from inside to outside services or vice versa. He was also required wash his hands and feet from the Kiyor twice with each immersion,  once when removing the garments he wore and a second time when he donned the next set of garments.<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:4"/>

===Garments===
Unlike regular days where the Kohen Gadol constantly wears eight garments during services, today he only dons them for the outside services. Any services performed inside the Holy of Holies are done wearing only the four linen garments of an ordinary kohen; shirt, pants, belt and hat. This is done to avoid wearing any gold which is a reminiscent of the golden calf and is therefore a prosecutor which cannot become a defender bringing atonement to the Jewish nation.<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:4">Rashi Vayikra 16:4</ref>. These garments are holy since they are purchased with money from the Temple treasury.<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:4"/>
===Personal Sacrifices===
# A young bull as a Chatas sin offering to atone for himself and his household, which was done by placing his hands on the bull and confessing both their sins.<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:6">Rashi Vayikra 16:6</ref> This sacrifice was purchased with the Kohen Gadole's personal money rather then public funds.<ref name="Rashi Vayikra 16:6"/>
# A ram for an Olah burnt offering

===Public Sacrifices===
# Two he goats as a Chatas sin offering
# A ram as an Olah burnt offering


==References==
<references/>

{{Weekly Parsha}}

[[Category:Parsha]]