Audio & Notes for Parashat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim

Parashat Acharei Mot- Kedoshim - VaYikrah (Leviticus) 16:1-18:30; 19:1-20:27 - Haftarah Reading: Ez 22:1-19; Amos 9:7-15

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I. Introduction

A. Good Watches

B. The counting of the omer and ‘Cheshbon Nefesh'

1. Barley and wheat
2. Though the Bible records many instances of Yeshua instantly healing people's illnesses, we know of not even one instance in which he simply waved his hand to immediately fix an ugly habit for one of his disciples.
3. Lack of respect - hate without a cause

                     a. Lag (33) Ba-omer - Yevamot 62b

                     b. Sinat Chinom - Yoma 9

4. The essence of the Scriptures revolves around the principle of one's relationship with God and others - Mt 22:34-40
5. Respecting one another - The deeper meaning of the Cherubim VaYikrah 16: 1-3             

C. Parashah Abbreviated Outline

1. Following the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, G-d warns against unauthorized entry "into the holy." Only one person, the Kohen Gadol ("high priest"), may, but once a year, on Yom Kippur, enter the innermost chamber in the Sanctuary to offer the sacred ketoret to G-d.
2. Another feature of the Day of Atonement service is the casting of lots over two goats to determine which should be offered to G-d and which should be dispatched to carry off the sins of Israel to the wilderness.
3. The Parshah of Acharei also warns against bringing korbanot (animal or meal offerings) anywhere but in the Holy Temple, forbids the consumption of blood, and details the laws prohibiting incest and other deviant sexual relations.
4. The Parshah of Kedoshim begins with the statement: "You shall be holy, for I, the L-rd your G-d, am holy" followed by dozens of mitzvot (Divine commandments) through which the Jew sanctifies him or herself and relates to the holiness of G-d. These include: the prohibition against idolatry, the mitzvah of charity, the principle of equality before the law, Shabbat, sexual morality, honesty in business, honor and awe of one's parents, the sacredness of life.
5. Also in Kedoshim is the dictum which the great sage Rabbi Akiva called a cardinal principle of Torah and of which Hillel said, "This is the entire Torah, the rest is commentary" -- Love your fellow as yourself.

D. Review

1. Since the Torah is the word of G-d, who is infinite, it is  itself infinite. Infinite in time, because it is eternally binding. Infinite in meaning, because every verse has innumerable layers of interpretation and significance. At the literal level (peshat) it contains laws and narratives; at the level of allusion (remez) it points obliquely to the deeper principles of Judaism; homiletically (drush) it outlines the religious ethic of the Jew; and esoterically (sod) it contains the clues to the mysteries of the experience of G-
2. Drawing near as a "living Korban  (sacrifice)."

   a. The word Korban literally means, "drawing near not sacrifice.

   b. Literally Vayikrah can be read as "When you draw near to God with a sacrifice bring your self as a sacrifice and in addition bring an animal or?

3. Playing with fire - Know before Who you stand! (Da Lifne Mi Atah Omed) - The sin of Nadav & Avihu - VaYikrah 10:1-9
4. The connection between various skin diseases and "Lashon HaRah" - evil speech - Mildew /leprosy in a home - VaYikrah 14: 33-53
5. TKN - Is it TRUE - KIND - NECESSARY - cp Php 4:4

III Respecting one another - The Deeper meaning of the Cherubim

A. The Cherubim have childlike faces - coming into the Kadosh Kedoshim (The Holy of Holies) in a state of innocence - as a little child - VaYikrah 16:2; cp Ber (Genesis) 3:23-24; Mt 18: 2-4

B. The Cherubim are made from one single piece of metal - we are all created in God's image - as believers we are one body -

Shemot 25:18; Ber.1: 26-27; Rom 12:4-5

C. The Cherubim face upwards towards heaven and towards each other - According to our sages, this teaches us that if we want to reach up to G-d so that he will answer our prayers, we must have our "faces one to another" - we must care for each other! - Shemot 25:20; Mt 6:14-15; Jm 1:26- 2:13

D. The Cherubim look at each other through the light of God's Presence that has descended upon the kaporet (mercy seat) - we need to look at each other in the light of God's mercy Shemot 25:22; Micah 6:8; Mt 5:7

III. Conclusion

A. Cheshbon Nefesh - Barley and wheat

B. Respecting one another

C. Dwelling together with respect - Psalm 133