Aharei Mot–K'doshim (Leviticus 16:1–18:30; 19:1–20:27)
Hertz: p. 480; Etz Hayim: p. 679; Stone: p. 636
This year, these two parashiot are combined. We begin with the maftir for Acharei Mot, 18:28, and then skip to K’doshim 20:1.
Aharei Mot:
1. Recalling the deaths of Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu.
2. Rituals and sacrifices for Yom Kippur: sin offerings by the High Priest, including the incense rite in the Holy of Holies and the ritual of the scapegoat.
3. Sacrifices allowed only at the Tabernacle; again with the blood taboo.
4. Prohibited sexual/marital relationships (incest and mamzerim).
5. Do not contaminate yourselves or the land. (Maftir 18:27–30)
K'doshim:
1. Moral laws are listed in detail: dealing honestly, looking after the poor, avoiding lies, slander, gossip, meting justice without regard to status.
2. Wait five years before enjoying fruits of trees; injunctions against tattoos and body mutilation, sorcery and witchcraft, cutting corners of hair/beard; honoring the aged.
3. Love the stranger among you as you love yourself.
4. Avoid dishonest weights and measures.
20:1
5. Injunctions against the worship of Moloch and cursing one’s parents.
6. Punishments for unlawful marriages and immoral relations in the previous parashah.
Hertz: p. 493, then 505; Etz Hayim: p. 692, then 701; Stone: p. 654, then 666
(READING: MAFTIR OF AHAREI MOT, THEN K’DOSHIM 20:1)
Maftir K’doshim: 20:25
Distinguish between the clean and the unclean, maintain holiness.
Hertz: p. 508; Etz Hayim: p. 704; Stone: p. 670
Haftarat K'doshim (Amos 9:7–15)
Amos, a shepherd in the time of Jeroboam II, was most concerned about people’s behavior toward one another, especially the wealthy toward the poor, widows and orphans. Pagan worship also troubled the land. G-d has one basic test: people’s devotion to the laws of righteousness and justice, i.e., those mentioned in the parashah.
Hertz: p. 509; Etz Hayim: p. 706; Stone: p. 1174
