May 10, 2025
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Acharei Mot, which means "after the death (of Aharon’s sons)," focuses on the laws of Yom Kippur. It begins with instructions to Aharon, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), regarding how he should approach Hashem in the Kodesh Hakadashim (Inner Sanctuary of the Holy of Holies). Yom Kippur was the only day that Aharon entered the Kodesh Hakadashim and only Aharon was allowed to go in. The parsha continues with the detailed procedures for offering Korbanot and purifying himself.
The parsha concludes with reminders about not following in the negative ways of the Mitzrim (Egyptians) who we previously lived near and the
ONE BIG IDEA
After the Torah says “Be holy because I, Hashem, am holy,” there is a list of mitzvot that help a person become holy. One would think that the mitzvot listed would beones that are Bein Adam L’Makom like Tefilah, Shabbat, and learning Torah, because holiness comes from Hashem. But the list is actually Bein Adam L’chavero (between a person and another person), like Tzedakah, honoring your parentsandcaringfortheelderly.Thelesson is that becoming holy is about both the way we act towards Hashem and the way we act towardspeople.
AchareiMot-Kedoshim·
Kina’anim who Bnei Yisrael will eventually live with when they enter Eretz Yisrael. Hashem reminds Bnei Yisrael to follow and live in the ways of the Torah.
Parshat Kedoshim is a parsha that is rich with mitzvot
The first mitzvah is an all-inclusive mitzvah: be holy like Hashem. Moshe first teaches mitzvot that are between people (Bein Adam L’chaveiroh). These include Mitzvot Ahsay (Do’s) and Mitzvot Lo Ta’ahsay (Don’ts). Some of the mitzvot in the parsha are respecting parents, honoring the elderly, paying workers on-time, not stealing, not lying, not speaking Lashon Hara, not taking revenge and not giving bad advice. The parsha also discusses the importance of being kind to others.
Next, we learn about the mitzvot which are Bein Adam L’makom (between us and Hashem). Some of these include: observing Shabbat, Shatnez (not wearing clothing that is made of a mixture of wool and linen), Orlah (not eating the fruit of a new tree for the first three years), and not getting a permanent tattoo.
Parshat Kedoshim ends with Hashem reminding Bnei Yisrael that they are different from the other nations and that their land will be for Bnei Yisrael. The parsha describes Israelasan Eretz ZavatChalav U’dvash,a land flowing with milk and honey.
Candle-lighting: 7:42pm
Havdalah: 8:42pm
allah: 5:25pm