Acharei Mot
Leviticus 16:1 -18:30
Précis: Acharei Mot begins with Adonai speaking to Moses after the death (acharei mot) of Aaron’s sons. It describes the rituals for Yom Kippur, including the prescribed sacrifices. There are specific details about the purification of the Sanctuary, vessels, and the priests. Following this descriptions, rules for the slaughter of meat (including the prohibition against eating blood) are reiterated. The parasha concludes with a listing of prohibited marriages.
This year, we read this parasha on Shabbat HaGadol, the Sabbath immediately preceding Passover, our celebration of freedom. I thought that I would try to make a connection between the holiday we read about (Yom Kippur) and the holiday we are about to celebrate.
Our observance of the Passover Seder is (ritually) highlighted by eating. Many of our holidays have the over-simplified theme of “they oppressed us, we won, let’s eat.” On Passover, however, the foods are a central part of the celebration. We celebrate freedom by recalling the foods we ate in (or while escaping from) captivity: the bitter herbs, the salt water, the charoset. But the central mitzvah relates to matzah, the “Bread of Affliction.”
On Yom Kippur, we observe the singular Jewish holiday where a festive meal is not held, and where the focus is instead on fasting. In the words of the Torah, we “afflict our souls” by fasting (until, at least we get to the celebratory break-fast meal). On Passover, we eat the Bread of Affliction and on Yom Kippur we engage in a day of self-affliction.
What do these holidays have in common besides “affliction?” I would suggest that both holidays teach us that change and renewal are difficult, but necessary. On Passover, we celebrate the Israelites' change from being slaves to being a free people. On Yom Kippur we hope for change within ourselves. Change and renewal are important for individuals and for Peoples as well.
I wish all a Shabbat Shalom and a Chag Sameach.
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