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©
1996-2008 Torah Tots, Inc.
PARSHA ON PARADE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY
OF MY DEAR FATHER AND REBBI:
HARAV HAGAON RAV YESHAYA SHIMANOWITZ Z'TZL ,
ROSH YESHIVA
IN
YESHIVAS RABAINU YAAKOV YOSEF
(RABBI JACOB JOSEPH YESHIVA - RJJ)
IN NYC FOR OVER 23 YEARS.
NIFTAR ON 20 ADAR 5758 - MARCH 18, 1998.
MAY HE BE A MAYLITZ YOSHER FOR ALL OF KLAL YISROEL.
Menachim Z. Shimanowitz
You too can
dedicate a Parsha or any other section of Torah Tots in honor or in
memory of someone close to you.
For further info, click here.
PARSHA
FACTS
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NUMBER OF MITZVOT: 28
2 MITZVOT ASEH (POSITIVE COMMANDMENT)
26 MITZVOT LO TAASEH (NEGATIVE COMMANDMENT - PROHIBITION)
NUMBER OF PESUKIM (SENTENCES): 80
NUMBER OF WORDS: 1170
NUMBER OF LETTERS: 4294
HAFTORA:(Additional portion, from Prophets, which is read after the Parsha)
Malachi 3:4-24
This year, (5768 / 2008) Acharei is a special Shabbat.
It is Shabbat HaGadol: (Lit. 'the Great Shabbat');
The Shabbat preceding Pesach / Passover is called Shabbat HaGadol because it was the day when the Jews were to take the sheep (which the Egyptians worshipped) to be used for the Korban Pesach (Pascal offering) four days later. (This means that the first Pesach was on a Wednesday).
After nine plagues, the Egyptians were powerless to react to the slaughter of one of their gods. The Bnei Yisroel, of course, didn't know this, and therefore displayed tremendous faith in Hashem prior to Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus).
We remember this event with a special Haftorah where again great faith and trust in Hashem is emphasized. The Haftorah concludes with the call to remember the teachings of Moshe and informs us that Hashem will send Eliyahu Hanavi (Elijah the Prophet) to herald the great and awesome day when Bnei Yisroel will again experience redemption. This is yet another possible reason for the name Shabbat HaGadol, - that "great day" mentioned in the Haftorah.
Traditionally on Shabbat HaGadol the Rabbi lectures about the observance and meaning of Pesach to his congregation, teaching the laws of Pesach, so that the families can prepare properly for the Yom Tov. Which leads to another interpretation of Shabbat HaGadol - "the Shabbat of the Leader" or of the Rabbi. A more novel explanation is that the people returning from the synagogue later than usual on this Shabbat because of the unusually long speech that was customary on this day. Thus this Shabbat seemed "great," i.e., longer than the other Shabbatot.
Because this Shabbat is also Erev Pesach the Rav of the community has already delivered his Shabbat HaGadol Drasha (speech) last Shabbat.
Whatever the reason for the name, it is customary to recite part of the Haggadah on Shabbat HaGadol, from 'Avadim Hayinu' "we were slaves in Egypt" to 'Lechaper Al Kol Avonoteinu.'
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פרשת אחרי
THE
PARSHA
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In our last episode,
the leper really showed his spots as we were introduced to that Lashon
Hora disease, Tzara'at. The stakes were high for the
miser when his house started breaking out with red or green spots
and he either did Teshuva (repented) or else the house came
down.
Now, speaking about Teshuva.......
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YOM
KIPPUR
AVODAH
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As our Parsha
opens we return to the 1st day of Nissan where Aharon has
just lost two sons, Nadav and Avihu.
Hashem tells Moshe to warn Aharon not to make the same
mistake his two sons have made. Do not enter the Kodesh Hakodoshim
without permission. The Kohain Gadol is the only one who
can enter the Kodesh Hakodoshim - but ONLY on Yom Kippur,
and ONLY to perform the special Yom Kippur Avodah .
With this introduction the Torah goes into a Yom
Kippur mode, teaching Aharon and all his descendants the Yom
Kippur Avodah to be performed in the Mishkan and
in the Bait Hamikdash.
To begin, the Kohain Gadol runs the Korbanot
show on Yom Kippur - the most important Avodah of
the year must be performed by the holiest of the Kohanim.
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DRESSED
TO
FULFILL
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On Yom Kippur
the Kohain Gadol wears eight
garments.
Four contain gold and four do not.
The garments with gold are:
- Me'il
- A coat that has gold bells at the bottom.
- Choshen
- The breastplate contains gold thread and clasps.
- Aifod
- An apron that's got gold thread and gold shoulder harnesses.
- Tzitz
- A headplate made completely of gold.
On Yom Kippur the Kohain
Gadol takes off these four garments before he enters the Kodesh
Hakodoshim. This leaves him in four white linen garments:
- Michnasayim - white linen pants.
- Kutonet - a long
linen shirt.
- Avnait - a belt of linen prepared specially for
Yom Kippur.
- Miznefet - a
turban of linen.
On Yom Kippur the Kohain Gadol changes his clothes
FIVE times, and at every change immersed himself in a Mikvah.
Before and after each change he also washed his hands and feet.
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THE
YOM
KIPPUR
LOTTERY
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Two goats
are the stars of this part of the show. The Kohain Gadol stands
in the Azarah (courtyard) with an assistant kohain
to his right and the leader of the kohanim on duty that week
on his left.
You've got two goats,
one is going to be dedicated to Hashem and the other is
going to be sent to "Azazel." - But which will
be which?
 A
box is placed before the Kohain Gadol. It's got only two
wooden lots (pieces of wood) inside, one lot says "L'Hashem"(for
Hashem), the other says "L'Azazel" (for
Azazel). The Kohain Gadol puts both hands into the box
and takes one lot in each hand. The lot in his right hand is placed
on the head of the goat on the right. The lot in the left hand is
placed on the head of the goat on the left.
The Kohain Gadol
announces the goat marked "L'Hashem" will be
used as a korban chatat. Later, the goat is slaughtered
and its blood is sprinkled in the Kodesh Hakodoshim.
 The
"L'Azazel" goat is led out to the desert by a
special messenger who is chosen before Yom Kippur. This
messenger's job is to push the goat off a cliff where the animal
will be smashed to the rocks below.
Pretty disturbing, eh? Well, it all goes to wake up Klal
Yisrael (US - you and me) to do Teshuva (repent).
The thought that it should really be us instead of that goat gets
the Teshuva juices going!
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ENTERING
THE
KODESH
HAKODOSHIM
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As we said, the
Kohain Gadol only enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim ONE day
during the year. That is on Yom Kippur.
On Yom Kippur the Kohain Gadol enters a total
of FOUR times:
- The first time he offers a Korban Ketoret (Incense
Offering). This is the highlight of the Yom Kippur Avodah
(service).
- The next time he sprinkles the blood of the bull he personally
offers as a Chatat. The blood is sprinkled eight times
before the Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark).
- The third time is when the blood of the "L'Hashem"
goat is sprinkled eight times before the Aron Hakodesh.
- The fourth time he enters, is to retrieve the spoon and pan
he left in the Kodesh Hakodoshim after the Korban
Ketoret.
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FIRST
TIME -
THE
INCENSE
OFFERING
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Offering the incense
is the highlight of the Yom Kippur Avodah.
The Kohain Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim
with a spoonful of Ketoret (incense) in his left hand and
a pan of hot coals in his right. He places the pan on the floor
between the poles in front the Aron Hakodesh. Then, in
a rehearsed feat, he transfers the Ketoret from the spoon
into his two hands.
This is how it's done:
 The
Kohain Gadol sticks the handle of the spoon under his right
arm and bends over so that the contents spill into his cupped hands.
It's a pretty neat trick but don't take it too lightly because if
he spilled a drop of incense, Hashem might just zap him
dead.
Next, the Kohain Gadol pours the incense from his hands
onto the coals. The smoke from the pan rises straight up to the
ceiling. If the smoke fills the entire Kodesh Hakodoshim
then the Kohain Gadol knows that Hashem has forgiven
the sins of Klal Yisroel (The Jewish People).
The Kohain Gadol then leaves the Kodesh Hakodoshim
slowly, walking backwards. As he enters the Kodesh area
he stops to daven (pray) for a year of plentiful food for
all the Jewish People.
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SECOND
TIME -
THE
CHATAT
OFFERING
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The next time the
Kohain Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim, he stands
before the Aron Hakodesh and sprinkles the blood of the bull
from his own Chatat, with his finger. The Kohain Gadol
counts out loud and in an interesting way.
With his finger he sprinkles toward the Aron Hakodesh
(Holy Ark) once upward and seven times downward, counting loudly.
Again the Kohain Gadol leaves the Kodesh Hakodoshim backwards.
Once he enters the Kodesh he sprinkles some of the bull's
blood and then some of the goat's blood on the Parochet
(curtain) of the Kodesh Hakodoshim, once up and seven times
down, counting loudly.
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THIRD
TIME -
THE
"L'HASHEM"
GOAT
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The third time the
Kohain Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim he stands
before the Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark) and sprinkles the blood
of the "L'Hashem" goat with his finger toward the
Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark), once upward and seven times downward,
counting loudly.
Again the Kohain Gadol leaves the Kodesh Hakodoshim backwards.
Once he enters the Kodesh he sprinkles some of the bull's
blood and then some of the goat's blood on the Parochet
of the Kodesh Hakodoshim, once up and seven times down,
counting loudly.
Then he mixes the blood of the goat and the bull and puts some
on the corners of the Incense Mizbayach (Altar).
The Kohain Gadol also sprinkles some of the mixture into
the center of the Mizbayach seven times.
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FOURTH
TIME -
CLEAN UP
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The fourth and final
time the Kohain Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim
on Yom Kippur he collects the spoon and pan used earlier
for the Korban Ketoret.
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LET'S NOT
FORGET
THE MUSSAF
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Before the Kohain
Gadol started with the special Yom Kippur Korbanot,
he has the standard Korbanot that are offered in the Bait
Hamikdash every day as well as the Mussaf Korbanot to
offer.
Besides the daily korbanot, (Tamid and Minchat Chavitin
among others), the Kohain Gadol also brings a Korban
Mussaf for the entire Bnei Yisroel. This consists
of a bull, a ram, seven sheep and a goat.
Then he brings two Korbanot that he pays for personally.
1. He offered a bull as a Korban Chatat.
The Kohain Gadol pushes his hands on the bull's head
and recited Viduy, asking forgiveness for his sins, and
the sins of his family, and the sins of all the Kohanim.
2. A ram is burnt completely as a Korban Olah.
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IN THE
NAME OF
HASHEM
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Only the Kohain
Gadol ever pronounces the name of Hashem. When we daven
or read the Torah, we pronounce Hashem's name as A-doh-noy.
But on Yom Kippur, the Kohain Gadol says the
real thing - Yud Hay Vav Hay. This name is said three times
during each Viduy.
Since the Kohain Gadol says Viduy three times,
once for himself, once for his family and once for all the Kohanim,
that makes nine times that he says Hashem's name. Then
after the Lots are picked, he announces "This goat is L'Hashem."
That "L'Hashem" is also pronounced with Hashem's
name, making it a tenth time.
Whenever the people in the Azara (courtyard) of the Bait
Hamikdash heard the Holy name, they would fall on their faces
and cry out "Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuto L'Olam Vaed
- Blessed is the name [of Hashem] whose glorious Kingdom
lasts forever and ever."
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ALL'S
FORGIVEN
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When the entire Avodah
is finished there is a big sigh of relief.
Throughout history many a Kohain Gadol has gone into
the Kodesh Hakodoshim and not come out. If a Kohain
Gadol makes it through the entire Avodah in one piece,
it's a sure sign that he's doing something right and that Hashem
will forgive Klal Yisroel for their sins.
As the Kohain Gadol leaves the Bait Hamikdash,
the crowds kiss his hand to show their gratefulness. When he gets
home he invites friends and family to a feast and they share the
joy of a successful day.
Now, since we don't have the Bait Hamikdash, and a Kohain
Gadol to pray for us, we recite the Yom Kippur Avodah
in the Mussaf prayers of Yom Kippur.
Hashem tells us that each of us must Fast and not do
any work on the Tenth of Tishrei - Yom
Kippur.
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A FEW
NEW LAWS
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Hashem forbids
us to make any sacrifices except in the Mishkan or in the
Bait Hamikdash.
Hashem adds warnings about eating blood. A Jew is not
allowed to eat an animal's blood.
Bird and animal meat have to be salted in order to remove the
blood that remains after Sh'chitah (slaughter).
We are not allowed to eat N'veilah - An animal that has
died on its own or was slaughtered in the wrong way.
If an animal is killed by another animal, or if it is missing
any vital organs or if it is injured so that it won't survive 12
months, it is called a T'reifah. Even if this animal is
slaughtered properly.
If a deer or bird is slaughtered it is a Mitzvah to cover
its blood. We are not required to do so to a domesticated animal
This is out of respect, since we require blood to live.
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MORE
LAWS
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Hashem lists
marriages that are forbidden and marriages that are allowed. Basically,
you can't marry your Mother, Stepmother, Sister, Daughter, Aunt or
Daughter-in-law.
I know this next one sound a little kookie but in the old days
nations used to serve an idol called molech. The priests
used to go around to parents and say, "Molech needs
your children to pass through his fire walls. He will be happy if
you send them through, and angry if you don't.
Guess what... Hashem forbids the whole concept! You can't
give kids to molech's fires (even if they won't be injured)
and you can't imitate the non-Jews!
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LIVE
BY THE
TORAH
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The Torah wants
us to know that, for the most part, we should NOT put our lives on
the line to avoid an Avairah (sin).
If Kuppie the Greek comes along with a non-Kosher ice cream bar
and says "eat it or die," you better start eating.
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EXCEPT...............
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Three very serious
Avairot (sins) that a Jew MUST NEVER commit, even if he has
to DIE.
These are:
- Forbidden Marriages.
- Murder.
- Idol Worship.
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HERE'S
YOUR
REWARD
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Hashem promises
us that we will live by the Mitzvot. Some rabbis say this
is talking about Olam HaBah, -- - the rewards of the next
world. Others say it is a reference to a time when the dead will rise
once again and we will live forever in the light of Hashem's
Shechina.
Tune in after Pesach / Passover when Hashem teaches us how to be a Holy
Nation in the next exciting episode of:
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See
the Midrash Mavin on Acharei Mot
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