Portions Library

A collection of essays on the weekly Torah Portions, from Genesis to Deuteronomy, adapted from Torah Club.

Acharei MotRead / Listen to Portion

Acharei Mot

PORTIONS LIBRARY

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Face to Face

Remembering that we do not see God clearly should help keep us humble. It should make us reluctant to criticize other people. They may have perceived an aspect of the Almighty that we have not, or visa versa. Neither of us is to be blamed for not seeing the whole picture. In this world, the whole picture is not available.

Topics:

Acharei Mot, ark of the covenant, atonement, Day of Atonement, face to face, high holidays, high holy days, holy of holies, incense, religious arrogance, sanctuary, veil, Yom Kippur

Do Not Do As They Do

In the first century, sexual immorality wove through the warp and woof of the Roman world. Roman culture, for all its austere talk of moderation, indulged in all manner of perversity, lewdness, and depredation. Today it is no different in the world.

Topics:

conduct, culture, different, distinctions, sensuality, sexual values, sexuality, society

A Personal Day of Atonement

Our sin is as filth before the Almighty. Shame and disgrace ought to cover us every time we open our Bibles. We have sullied the very parchment of Torah with our sins and trodden on the shed blood of Messiah. Our worthy deeds are utterly eclipsed by our transgressions and sins. Yom Kippur reminds us that this is a real problem. The writer of the book of Hebrews says that “in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year” (Hebrews 10:3).

Topics:

Day of Atonement, forgiveness, high holidays, high holy days, presence of God, relationship, salvation, Yom Kippur

Holiest Day of the Year

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year. Holy means “set apart for the divine.” All of God’s appointed times are set apart to the LORD, but the Day of Atonement is the holiest of all. It is set apart even from the other holy days. The sanctity of the other festival days prohibit work but permit food preparation.

Topics:

Acharei Mot, atonement, Day of Atonement, fall festivals, high holidays, high holy days, holy of holies, presence of God, Yom Kippur

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