RAKEL BERENBAUM PORTION FROM BY Contributor, Torah Tidbits THE PORTION
Alone
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s I write this, the restrictions on communal prayers have been loosened up a bit, which is nice, but it is also worrisome. Will everyone stick strictly to the health ministry’s guidelines for social distancing, masks, and proper hygiene around the Torah during the communal prayers? Otherwise the prayers may turn out to be “mitzvah habaa b’avera – a mitzvah that comes along with a sin” if people’s lives are put at risk. We have all seen already that praying in a minyan is not protection against contracting Coronavirus, while following health guidelines properly can be helpful. Just as we are slowly going back to praying together as a community – verses in this week’s portion talk about a spiritual service that is actually done all alone. The Torah tells us about the service done by the High priest on Yom Kippur. There is the ceremony he does with the two goats and the two lots, one marked “ for God” and one marked “ for Azazel” done in front of the nation. But another part of the Yom Kippur service takes place in the kodesh hakedoshim- the [inner] sanctuary. On 64
TORAH TIDBITS / ACHAREI MOT - KEDOSHIM 5780
the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, the holiest person, the Kohen Gadol, enters the holiest place on earth, the Holy of Holies. He must do this all alone. The verses tell us “ No one else shall be in the Communion Tent from the time [Aharon] enters the sanctuary to make atonement until he leaves” (16:17). While on other days, when he works in the Temple, the Kohen may wear his garments of gold and precious stones that are described in detail in chapter 28 of Shmot, on Yom Kippur he actually must wear only white “ He must put on a sanctified white linen tunic, and have linen pants on his body. “ (16:4) Wouldn’t it be more fitting for him to wear the fancier clothes on the auspicious day of Yom kippur? Why just a simple white garment? And why alone? The Kohen Gadol’s fancy clothes are appropriate for the regular days of the year. They help him realize how lofty his job is so he respects his position and treats it appropriately. But, on Yom Kippur, the one day when the Kohen Hagadol must enter the holy of holies, to stand in front of God, he must enter with a different feeling. He must take with him true simplicity, humility and modesty. All the fancy decorations just get in the way. They are nothing compared to God’s greatness and they may actually “blind
