54 Lessons
Achrei Mot "FIRST 'THE NATIONS WILL SAY: 'G-D DID GREAT FOR [ISRAEL]' "
We don't always understand and sometimes Israel pays a price for being the closest nation to Hashem, but that is essentially part of our role. Rav Kook explains just like the prophets often suffered for saying uncomfortable G-dly messages, similarly Am Yisrael historically had to pay the prices as "the conscience of mankind", and the way Hashem is seen to the world. Recently, more and more gentile leaders are beginning to point out the unique and "Chosen" role of Israel, including a game-changing article by an editor of a leading British paper.
Achrei Mot Torah, in All Its Forms, Goes Forth From Zion
Speaking last week about the weekly Torah portion, we noted that on Israel Independence Day, Yom HaAtzma'ut, we should thank G-d not only for the historic formation of the State of Israel in our generation, but also for the fact that Israel today is a Torah powerhouse, the likes of which we've never seen in any generation. The number of Torah students today is the largest ever, and the amount of hours spent studying Torah is the largest ever – all this mainly thanks to the State of Israel. The level of Torah study here in Israel is also the highest in the entire Jewish world. (We also stated that we must increase our in-depth Torah study, which is the most important part of our engagement with Torah.)
Achrei Mot The Holy of Holies is founded on Sexual Propriety
How are the High Priest and the Holy of Holies connected to modesty and loyalty to one's spouse?
Achrei Mot Prepared to DeLIVER
In many places, the Torah forbids the consumption of blood. In the parsha of Acharei Mot, this prohibition of blood is mentioned. In Kedoshim there are nine references to blood, in the context of different prohibitions. This makes it appropriate to discuss the laws of preparing livers according to halacha.
Achrei Mot The Scapegoat
The strangest and most dramatic element of the service on Yom Kippur, set out in Acharei Mot, was the ritual of the two goats, one offered as a sacrifice, the other sent away into the desert “to Azazel.”
Achrei Mot 'Here is the way you shall enter'
In this week's Torah reading, why begin the description of the Avoda on Yom Kippur with telling us of the demise of the sons of Aaron?
Achrei Mot Sprints and Marathons
Moses had to contend with both sides, inducing the Israelites to do teshuvah and God to exercise forgiveness. The good news is: there once was a Moses. what happens when there is no Moses?
Achrei Mot What is G-d's Area Code?
Why does only the Land of Israel "regurgitate its inhabitants" who break Torah laws that are forbidden no matter where one lives?
Achrei Mot How Many Stories Tall Is the Jewish People?
A well known Rabbinic adage emerges from the succession of the next 3 Torah portions: Acharei Mot, Kedoshim, Emor – “after their death, they say Holy!” That is, as soon as you are gone, they talk about how holy you were! But there is yet another spin we can give to this phrase by slightly moving the comma: After the death of the righteous, speak!
Kdoshim Our Obligation to Be Good
One question which has challenged Judaism throughout the ages is why do we need so many commandments to fulfill our obligation to be good, kind, and faithful?
Achrei Mot What is G-d's Area Code?
Israel National Torah
In this week's Torah reading of "Acharei Mot", we're being warned not to engage in incest and adultery because the Canaanites who did so before us, are being thrown out of the land. On the other hand, other lands will tolerate it even though it is forbidden.
