Acharei Mot - K'doshim

​By Richard Sison | 2018

Introduction

After the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aaron, the L-RD warns against unauthorized entry into the holy place.  Only one person, the kohen gadol (i.e high priest)  can enter once a year on Yom Kippur towards the innermost chamber in the Sanctuary to offer the sacred ketoret [an offering] to G‑d.

Actions expected on our part
1. Lev 18:4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the L-RD your G-d.

2. Lev 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the L-RD.

3. Lev 18:26  Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

4. Lev 18:30  Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the L-RD your G-d.

5. Lev 19:37  Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the L-RD.

6. Lev 20:22-23  Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.  And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

7. Lev 20:26 “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the L-RD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.”

The Parshah of K’doshim starts with a strong statement: “You shall be holy, for I, the L‑rd your G‑d, am holy.”  This is followed by several mitzvot (i.e. commandments) that separates him/herself and be connected to the holiness of G‑d.

The message