Purpose of the Service of Vayikra 16/2

The Service of Acharei Mot

Exegetical Approaches

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Atonement for the People

The main focus of the Avodah was to achieve Kaparah for all of Klal Yisrael. Any part of the Avodah that has to do with Taharah of the Mikdash is just a means to the ends of Kaparah

Sources:RashbamVayikra 16:1Vayikra 16:2Vayikra 16:10Vayikra 16:32Vayikra 16:34About R. Shemuel b. Meir, ChizkuniVayikra 16:1Vayikra 16:2Vayikra 16:6Vayikra 16:8Vayikra 16:21Vayikra 16:31About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach, Ibn EzraVayikra 16:1Vayikra 16:2Vayikra 16:3Vayikra 16:6Vayikra 16:8Vayikra 16:32About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RambanVayikra 16:1Vayikra 16:2Vayikra 16:4Vayikra 16:18Vayikra 16:21About R. Moshe b. Nachman¹

Purification of the Temple

The main focus of the Avodah is to purify the Mikdash from Tumah. All issues that deal with Kaparah are just a byproduct of rectifying the Tumah in the Mikdash.

Sources:RashiVayikra 16:1Vayikra 16:2Vayikra 16:3Vayikra 16:11Vayikra 16:16Vayikra 16:23Vayikra 16:32Vayikra 16:34About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, ShadalVayikra 16:1Vayikra 16:8Vayikra 16:16Vayikra 16:30About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto

Both Taharah and Kaparah

Both Taharah of the Mikdash and Kaparah for the people are essential to the Avodah and are equally driving the service of Yom Kippur.

Sources:R. Yosef Bekhor ShorVayikra 16:1Vayikra 16:2Vayikra 16:3Vayikra 16:4Vayikra 16:5Vayikra 16:8Vayikra 16:10Vayikra 16:17Vayikra 16:32Vayikra 16:33About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor

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