פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת Parashat ՚Aḥarei Mot
INTRODUCTION:
Parashat ՚Aḥarei Mot (Lev. 16:1-18:30) contains the following sidrot:
Ninety-First Sidra՚ (continued from the previous parasha), Yom Hakkippurim (Day of Atonement) service;
Ninety-Second Sidra՚, slaughtering animals;
Ninety-Third Sidra՚, forbidden sexual relationships.
ANALYSIS:
Ninety-First Sidra՚ (Lev. 16:1-34 continued from the previous parasha): Yom Hakkippurim (Day of Atonement) service.
Chronologically Parashat ՚Aḥarei Mot occurs after the death of Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu. In connection with the laws of purity and impurity the Ninety-First Sidra՚ introduces for the very first time Yom Hakkippurim (Day of Atonement), which falls once a year on the Tenth day of the Seventh Month. The service for Yom Hakkippurim centres on the Mishkan (and later the Temple). The ritual of the Yom Hakkippurim service makes the connection between sin and impurity; both man and Holy shrine need to be purified of sin and impurity.
The Kohen Gadol [High Priest] is not permitted to go behind the veil [פָּרֹכֶת] and enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark/Chest of the Testimony when ever he likes; for if he does he will die, "for in the cloud, I will appear over the purgation cover" (Lev. 16:2).
The Kohen Gadol can only enter the Holy of Holies once a year during the Yom Hakkippurim service. The Kohen Gadol is to bring a bull of the herd for a sin-offering and a ram for an ascent-offering, wash in water and then dress in a holy linen tunic, linen breeches, with a linen sash, and a linen turban. The Kohen Gadol thus dresses in the vestments of the regular kohen rather than in his own special vestments. On behalf of the Community of the Children of Israel he is to take two hairy he goats for a sin-offering and one ram for an ascent-offering. The Kohen Gadol is to first offer his own bull for the sin-offering and make atonement for himself and for his household. He is then to stand the two hairy he goats of the Community before YHWH. Lots are placed on each of the hairy he goats; one lot for YHWH and the other for ՙaza՚zel[1]. The hairy he goat upon which the lot for YHWH fell is to be offered as a sin-offering, while the hairy he goat upon which the lot for ՙaza՚zel fell, "shall be left standing alive before YHWH to make atonement upon it; to send it away to ՙaza՚zel into the wilderness" (Lev. 16:10).
When the Kohen Gadol offers his bull for a sin-offering a precise ritual is to be observed. He is to take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar and two handfuls of incense consisting of finely-ground spices, and he is to bring it behind the veil. Then he is to place the incense on the fire before YHWH and the cloud of the incense shall cover the purgation cover that is upon the Ark/Chest of the Testimony. The Kohen Gadol is to take from the blood of the bull that was his sin-offering and sprinkle it with his finger seven times eastward upon the front of the purgation cover. He shall then slaughter the people's hairy he goat that is designated for a sin-offering, and bring its blood behind the veil; also sprinkling it with his finger seven times eastward upon the front of the purgation cover. "And he shall make atonement upon the Holy Place from the impurities of the Children of Israel, and from their transgressions for all their sins; and thus he shall do for the Tent of Appointed Times, that abides with them, in the midst of their impurities" (Lev. 16:16).
No one else is to be in the Holy Place when the Kohen Gadol enters to make atonement, until he goes out. Then the Kohen Gadol is to make atonement on the altar through the blood of the bull and the blood of the hairy he goat. He is to smear some of the blood on the horns of the altar and then sprinkle some more upon the altar itself seven times with his finger; thus purifying it and sanctifying it from the impurities of the Children of Israel. When he has finished making atonement for the Holy Place, the altar, and the Tent of Appointed Times, the Kohen Gadol brings the live hairy he goat and lays both his hands on its head confessing over it all the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of the Children of Israel placing them on the head of the goat. The goat is sent off into the wilderness by someone specially selected for the task, "And the hairy he goat shall bear upon it all their iniquities to a land cut off; and he shall send away the hairy he goat in the wilderness" (Lev. 16:22).
The Kohen Gadol then removes the linen garments which he has been wearing, washes in water in a holy place, and dresses in the special vestments of the Kohen Gadol. He then offers his ascent-offering and the ascent-offering of the people, making atonement for himself and for the people. The ḥelev of the sin-offering he turns into smoke upon the altar. The person who sent away the hairy he goat for ՙaza՚zel is to launder his garments, wash in water, and afterwards he can re-enter the camp. Then the remains of the bull and hairy he goat that were offered as sin-offerings are to be taken outside the camp and their skins, flesh and dung are to be burnt in fire. The one that burnt them shall launder his garments, wash his flesh in water, and afterwards he shall come back into the camp.
"And it shall be to you for a law forever; in the seventh month on the tenth of the month you shall afflict your souls/life-forces and all mela՚kha (work that is productive or creative) you shall not do, the citizen, and the sojourner that sojourns among you. Because on this day atonement is to be made upon you to purify you; from all your sins, before YHWH you will become pure. A Shabbath of ceasing it will be to you, and you shall afflict your souls/life-forces; a law forever." (Lev. 16:29-31)
Ninety-Second Sidra՚ (Lev. 17:1-16): Slaughtering animals.
If someone from the House of Israel or from the sojourners [גֵּרִים] slaughters an ox, sheep, or goat within the vicinity of the Tent of Appointed Times (later the Temple) and does not bring it as an offering before YHWH at the Mishkan, "blood shall be accounted to that man blood has he shed, and that man shall be cut off from among his people" (Lev. 17:4). All offerings must be brought to the Tent of Appointed Times to the kohen, who will slaughter them as offerings to YHWH; throwing the blood upon the altar and turning the ḥelev into smoke for a soothing aroma to YHWH. "And they shall no more slaughter their slaughter-offerings, to the hairy goat (idols), after which they go a whoring" (Lev. 17:7). Anyone from the House of Israel or from the sojourners that eats any blood, YHWH will set His face against them and cut them off from among their people. "For the life-force of the flesh it is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar[2], to make atonement for your life-forces; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul/life-force" (Lev. 17:12). Anyone from the Children of Israel or from the sojourners who hunts any hunted animal or fowl that may be eaten (i.e. a pure animal that is not one of those offered as a sacrifice e.g. gazelle or pheasant) must pour out its blood and cover it with dust. Any Israelite or sojourner that eats a carcass or an animal torn apart by beasts [טְרֵפָה] is to launder their garments, wash in water, and remains impure until the evening.
Ninety-Third Sidra՚ (Lev. 18:1-30): Forbidden sexual relationships.
The ninety-third sidra՚ opens with YHWH telling Moses to address the Children of Israel and to caution them not to follow the ways and laws of the land of Egypt - where they were settled - nor those of the land of Canaan - to where YHWH is bringing them. "My judgements you shall do and My laws you shall keep to walk in them; I am YHWH your God. And you shall keep My laws and My judgements, which when a human does them he lives by them; I am YHWH" (Lev. 18:4-5). The laws of forbidden sexual relations can be categorized into three sub-groups; i) consanguineous incest, ii) affinitive incest, and iii) abhorrent sexual practices. It is obvious from the opening verse of this sidra՚ that these abominable sexual acts were practiced in Egypt and Canaan, and even formed part of the religious worship of the Canaanites as can be determined from verses 24 to 30.
The following forbidden sexual relationships fall under the categories of consanguineous and affinitive incest. It must be noted that the following relationships are given from the stand point of the male not the female. This is normal practice in Hebrew, since there is no neuter in the Hebrew language the masculine form takes on a similar role that the neuter does in other languages:
i) Mother (Lev. 18:7)
ii) Father's wife i.e. step-mother (Lev. 18:8)
iii) Full-sister, half-sister, and step-sister (Lev. 18:9 & 11)
iv) Granddaughter (Lev. 18:10)
v) Paternal aunt and maternal aunt, by analogy this would mean that one's niece would also be forbidden (Lev. 18:12 & 13)
vi) Paternal uncle's wife, by analogy this would also include maternal uncle's wife (Lev. 18:14)
vii) Daughter-in-law (Lev. 18:15)
viii) Brother's wife (Lev. 18:16)
ix) Woman and her daughter, or her granddaughter, whether from her son or daughter, "it is licentiousness" (Lev. 18:17)
x) A woman and her sister, during the lifetime of the first woman (Lev. 18:18)
The Torah now lists abhorrent sexual practices:
i) A woman when she is in niddah (Lev. 18:19)
ii) Another man's wife (Lev. 18:20)
iii) Not giving any of your seed (possibly offspring) to cross over to the Molekh (Lev. 18:21)
iv) Homosexuality, "And with a male, you shall not lie in the ways one lies with a woman; it is an abomination" (Lev. 18:22)
v) Bestiality, men and women (Lev. 18:23)
These acts are variously termed as iniquities, licentiousness, abominations, and confusion. The Torah tells us that these acts also render us impure and we are not to become impure by them. Because the Canaanites practised such abominable sexual acts the land became impure, "And the land became impure, and I will visit its iniquity upon it; and the land will vomit out her inhabitants" (Lev. 18:25). If we Israelites commit such abominable practices in the Land then we too will be vomited out from it. "For whoever does, any of these abominations; cut off shall be the souls that do (them) from among their people" (Lev. 18:29).
TEACHINGS OF HAKHAM REKHAVI:
In the list of forbidden sexual relationships there is no direct prohibition against having sexual relations with one's own daughter. This "oversight" by the Torah does not mean that such a gross incestuous act as this is acceptable in the eyes of YHWH. Therefore, the prohibition of sexual relations with one's own daughter must be encased in one of the other prohibited relationships - but which one?
There are several possibilities especially when the principles of analytical deduction [הֶקֵּשׁ] are applied.
Possible solution #1:
"The nakedness of a woman and her daughter you shall not uncover; her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter you shall not take to uncover her nakedness, they are her flesh it is licentiousness" (Lev. 18:17). This verse is generally held to mean that a man is prohibited from having sexual relations with a woman and her daughter born to her through another man, i.e. a man's step-daughter. Thus, if it is forbidden for a man to have sexual relations with his step-daughter then how much more so would his own natural daughter be forbidden to him? Also for a woman to be a man's natural daughter it would mean that the father must have had sexual relations with the girl's mother in order for her to be his natural daughter. Therefore, if he has sexual relations with his natural daughter he will be breaking the commandment against having sexual relations with a woman and her daughter.
Possible solution #2:
"The nakedness of your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, you shall not uncover their nakedness; for they are your nakedness" (Lev. 18:10). If a man is prohibited from having sexual relations with his granddaughter then surely he must also be prohibited from having sexual relations with his daughter the mother of his granddaughter? Also if a man is prohibited from having sexual relationships with his granddaughter, whether through his son or daughter, because "they are your nakedness" how much more so would a man's daughter be his own nakedness!
[1] Down the ages the meaning of the word עֲזָאזֵל [ՙaza՚zel] has been hotly disputed. It could well be a compound word comprised of עֵז [ՙez - goat] and אָזַל [՚azal - be gone] hence "the goat to be sent away". From this understanding comes the English "scapegoat".
[2] The Hebrew word for altar, מִזְבֵּחַ derives from the word זָבַח meaning to slaughter for sacrifice.
Parashat ՚Aḥarei Mot (Lev. 16:1-18:30) contains the following sidrot:
Ninety-First Sidra՚ (continued from the previous parasha), Yom Hakkippurim (Day of Atonement) service;
Ninety-Second Sidra՚, slaughtering animals;
Ninety-Third Sidra՚, forbidden sexual relationships.
ANALYSIS:
Ninety-First Sidra՚ (Lev. 16:1-34 continued from the previous parasha): Yom Hakkippurim (Day of Atonement) service.
Chronologically Parashat ՚Aḥarei Mot occurs after the death of Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu. In connection with the laws of purity and impurity the Ninety-First Sidra՚ introduces for the very first time Yom Hakkippurim (Day of Atonement), which falls once a year on the Tenth day of the Seventh Month. The service for Yom Hakkippurim centres on the Mishkan (and later the Temple). The ritual of the Yom Hakkippurim service makes the connection between sin and impurity; both man and Holy shrine need to be purified of sin and impurity.
The Kohen Gadol [High Priest] is not permitted to go behind the veil [פָּרֹכֶת] and enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark/Chest of the Testimony when ever he likes; for if he does he will die, "for in the cloud, I will appear over the purgation cover" (Lev. 16:2).
The Kohen Gadol can only enter the Holy of Holies once a year during the Yom Hakkippurim service. The Kohen Gadol is to bring a bull of the herd for a sin-offering and a ram for an ascent-offering, wash in water and then dress in a holy linen tunic, linen breeches, with a linen sash, and a linen turban. The Kohen Gadol thus dresses in the vestments of the regular kohen rather than in his own special vestments. On behalf of the Community of the Children of Israel he is to take two hairy he goats for a sin-offering and one ram for an ascent-offering. The Kohen Gadol is to first offer his own bull for the sin-offering and make atonement for himself and for his household. He is then to stand the two hairy he goats of the Community before YHWH. Lots are placed on each of the hairy he goats; one lot for YHWH and the other for ՙaza՚zel[1]. The hairy he goat upon which the lot for YHWH fell is to be offered as a sin-offering, while the hairy he goat upon which the lot for ՙaza՚zel fell, "shall be left standing alive before YHWH to make atonement upon it; to send it away to ՙaza՚zel into the wilderness" (Lev. 16:10).
When the Kohen Gadol offers his bull for a sin-offering a precise ritual is to be observed. He is to take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar and two handfuls of incense consisting of finely-ground spices, and he is to bring it behind the veil. Then he is to place the incense on the fire before YHWH and the cloud of the incense shall cover the purgation cover that is upon the Ark/Chest of the Testimony. The Kohen Gadol is to take from the blood of the bull that was his sin-offering and sprinkle it with his finger seven times eastward upon the front of the purgation cover. He shall then slaughter the people's hairy he goat that is designated for a sin-offering, and bring its blood behind the veil; also sprinkling it with his finger seven times eastward upon the front of the purgation cover. "And he shall make atonement upon the Holy Place from the impurities of the Children of Israel, and from their transgressions for all their sins; and thus he shall do for the Tent of Appointed Times, that abides with them, in the midst of their impurities" (Lev. 16:16).
No one else is to be in the Holy Place when the Kohen Gadol enters to make atonement, until he goes out. Then the Kohen Gadol is to make atonement on the altar through the blood of the bull and the blood of the hairy he goat. He is to smear some of the blood on the horns of the altar and then sprinkle some more upon the altar itself seven times with his finger; thus purifying it and sanctifying it from the impurities of the Children of Israel. When he has finished making atonement for the Holy Place, the altar, and the Tent of Appointed Times, the Kohen Gadol brings the live hairy he goat and lays both his hands on its head confessing over it all the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of the Children of Israel placing them on the head of the goat. The goat is sent off into the wilderness by someone specially selected for the task, "And the hairy he goat shall bear upon it all their iniquities to a land cut off; and he shall send away the hairy he goat in the wilderness" (Lev. 16:22).
The Kohen Gadol then removes the linen garments which he has been wearing, washes in water in a holy place, and dresses in the special vestments of the Kohen Gadol. He then offers his ascent-offering and the ascent-offering of the people, making atonement for himself and for the people. The ḥelev of the sin-offering he turns into smoke upon the altar. The person who sent away the hairy he goat for ՙaza՚zel is to launder his garments, wash in water, and afterwards he can re-enter the camp. Then the remains of the bull and hairy he goat that were offered as sin-offerings are to be taken outside the camp and their skins, flesh and dung are to be burnt in fire. The one that burnt them shall launder his garments, wash his flesh in water, and afterwards he shall come back into the camp.
"And it shall be to you for a law forever; in the seventh month on the tenth of the month you shall afflict your souls/life-forces and all mela՚kha (work that is productive or creative) you shall not do, the citizen, and the sojourner that sojourns among you. Because on this day atonement is to be made upon you to purify you; from all your sins, before YHWH you will become pure. A Shabbath of ceasing it will be to you, and you shall afflict your souls/life-forces; a law forever." (Lev. 16:29-31)
Ninety-Second Sidra՚ (Lev. 17:1-16): Slaughtering animals.
If someone from the House of Israel or from the sojourners [גֵּרִים] slaughters an ox, sheep, or goat within the vicinity of the Tent of Appointed Times (later the Temple) and does not bring it as an offering before YHWH at the Mishkan, "blood shall be accounted to that man blood has he shed, and that man shall be cut off from among his people" (Lev. 17:4). All offerings must be brought to the Tent of Appointed Times to the kohen, who will slaughter them as offerings to YHWH; throwing the blood upon the altar and turning the ḥelev into smoke for a soothing aroma to YHWH. "And they shall no more slaughter their slaughter-offerings, to the hairy goat (idols), after which they go a whoring" (Lev. 17:7). Anyone from the House of Israel or from the sojourners that eats any blood, YHWH will set His face against them and cut them off from among their people. "For the life-force of the flesh it is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar[2], to make atonement for your life-forces; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul/life-force" (Lev. 17:12). Anyone from the Children of Israel or from the sojourners who hunts any hunted animal or fowl that may be eaten (i.e. a pure animal that is not one of those offered as a sacrifice e.g. gazelle or pheasant) must pour out its blood and cover it with dust. Any Israelite or sojourner that eats a carcass or an animal torn apart by beasts [טְרֵפָה] is to launder their garments, wash in water, and remains impure until the evening.
Ninety-Third Sidra՚ (Lev. 18:1-30): Forbidden sexual relationships.
The ninety-third sidra՚ opens with YHWH telling Moses to address the Children of Israel and to caution them not to follow the ways and laws of the land of Egypt - where they were settled - nor those of the land of Canaan - to where YHWH is bringing them. "My judgements you shall do and My laws you shall keep to walk in them; I am YHWH your God. And you shall keep My laws and My judgements, which when a human does them he lives by them; I am YHWH" (Lev. 18:4-5). The laws of forbidden sexual relations can be categorized into three sub-groups; i) consanguineous incest, ii) affinitive incest, and iii) abhorrent sexual practices. It is obvious from the opening verse of this sidra՚ that these abominable sexual acts were practiced in Egypt and Canaan, and even formed part of the religious worship of the Canaanites as can be determined from verses 24 to 30.
The following forbidden sexual relationships fall under the categories of consanguineous and affinitive incest. It must be noted that the following relationships are given from the stand point of the male not the female. This is normal practice in Hebrew, since there is no neuter in the Hebrew language the masculine form takes on a similar role that the neuter does in other languages:
i) Mother (Lev. 18:7)
ii) Father's wife i.e. step-mother (Lev. 18:8)
iii) Full-sister, half-sister, and step-sister (Lev. 18:9 & 11)
iv) Granddaughter (Lev. 18:10)
v) Paternal aunt and maternal aunt, by analogy this would mean that one's niece would also be forbidden (Lev. 18:12 & 13)
vi) Paternal uncle's wife, by analogy this would also include maternal uncle's wife (Lev. 18:14)
vii) Daughter-in-law (Lev. 18:15)
viii) Brother's wife (Lev. 18:16)
ix) Woman and her daughter, or her granddaughter, whether from her son or daughter, "it is licentiousness" (Lev. 18:17)
x) A woman and her sister, during the lifetime of the first woman (Lev. 18:18)
The Torah now lists abhorrent sexual practices:
i) A woman when she is in niddah (Lev. 18:19)
ii) Another man's wife (Lev. 18:20)
iii) Not giving any of your seed (possibly offspring) to cross over to the Molekh (Lev. 18:21)
iv) Homosexuality, "And with a male, you shall not lie in the ways one lies with a woman; it is an abomination" (Lev. 18:22)
v) Bestiality, men and women (Lev. 18:23)
These acts are variously termed as iniquities, licentiousness, abominations, and confusion. The Torah tells us that these acts also render us impure and we are not to become impure by them. Because the Canaanites practised such abominable sexual acts the land became impure, "And the land became impure, and I will visit its iniquity upon it; and the land will vomit out her inhabitants" (Lev. 18:25). If we Israelites commit such abominable practices in the Land then we too will be vomited out from it. "For whoever does, any of these abominations; cut off shall be the souls that do (them) from among their people" (Lev. 18:29).
TEACHINGS OF HAKHAM REKHAVI:
In the list of forbidden sexual relationships there is no direct prohibition against having sexual relations with one's own daughter. This "oversight" by the Torah does not mean that such a gross incestuous act as this is acceptable in the eyes of YHWH. Therefore, the prohibition of sexual relations with one's own daughter must be encased in one of the other prohibited relationships - but which one?
There are several possibilities especially when the principles of analytical deduction [הֶקֵּשׁ] are applied.
Possible solution #1:
"The nakedness of a woman and her daughter you shall not uncover; her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter you shall not take to uncover her nakedness, they are her flesh it is licentiousness" (Lev. 18:17). This verse is generally held to mean that a man is prohibited from having sexual relations with a woman and her daughter born to her through another man, i.e. a man's step-daughter. Thus, if it is forbidden for a man to have sexual relations with his step-daughter then how much more so would his own natural daughter be forbidden to him? Also for a woman to be a man's natural daughter it would mean that the father must have had sexual relations with the girl's mother in order for her to be his natural daughter. Therefore, if he has sexual relations with his natural daughter he will be breaking the commandment against having sexual relations with a woman and her daughter.
Possible solution #2:
"The nakedness of your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, you shall not uncover their nakedness; for they are your nakedness" (Lev. 18:10). If a man is prohibited from having sexual relations with his granddaughter then surely he must also be prohibited from having sexual relations with his daughter the mother of his granddaughter? Also if a man is prohibited from having sexual relationships with his granddaughter, whether through his son or daughter, because "they are your nakedness" how much more so would a man's daughter be his own nakedness!
[1] Down the ages the meaning of the word עֲזָאזֵל [ՙaza՚zel] has been hotly disputed. It could well be a compound word comprised of עֵז [ՙez - goat] and אָזַל [՚azal - be gone] hence "the goat to be sent away". From this understanding comes the English "scapegoat".
[2] The Hebrew word for altar, מִזְבֵּחַ derives from the word זָבַח meaning to slaughter for sacrifice.
