Torah Portion of the Week

Achrei Mot-Kedoshim אחרי מות-קדושים

Leviticus 16:1–20:27

The double parsha of Achrei Mot-Kedoshim moves from the most sacred ritual to the most sweeping ethical code. Opening in the shadow of the death of Nadav and Avihu, it prescribes the elaborate Yom Kippur service — Aaron's entry into the Holy of Holies with incense smoke, the casting of lots over two goats, and the scapegoat sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of the people. It then centralizes all slaughter at the Tabernacle, prohibits consuming blood, and lists the forbidden sexual relationships. The second half, spoken to the entire congregation, opens with 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy' — launching a sweeping code that includes honoring parents, leaving harvest corners for the poor, honest weights and measures, the prohibition of gossip, and the towering command 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' It prescribes penalties for Molech worship, sorcery, and sexual transgressions, closing with the call to remain holy and separate.


Locations in the Parsha

Biblical Places

Map of the Parsha

Biblical Locations


Section by Section

Parsha Outline


Prophetic Reading

Haftarah הפטרה

Amos 9:7–9:15

עמוס

Amos proclaims God's universal justice and promises to restore Israel's fallen booth — uniting the themes of atonement from Achrei Mot with the call to holiness in Kedoshim.




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