May 10, 2025: Torah Portion Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim
- Elihana Elia
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
In this study, we will explore the Double Torah Portions Acharei Mot: "after the death", and Kedoshim: "holy ones"
Double Torah Portions: Leviticus 16:1-18:30 & Leviticus 19:1-20:27
Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Hebrews 9:11-28, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20
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This week's Parashat covers two Torah Portions: Acharei Mot: "after the death", and Kedoshim: "holy ones".
Parashat Acharei Mot: "after the death", transitions from the readings regarding ritual purity (tahora), to recalling the tragic incident of Nadab and Abihu, the two sons of Aaron who were killed when they offered "strange fire" upon the Altar of Incense during the dedication of the Tabernacle.
"Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." Leviticus 10:1-2
Because these priests came close to the Holy of Holies and offered incense in a forbidden manner, the LORD commanded Moses to instruct Aaron that he should enter the innermost chamber only in a carefully prescribed manner once a year - on the tenth day of the seventh month - during the sacred time called Yom Kippur: The "Day of Atonement".
Nadav and Avihu were essentially correct that giving an offering before the Shechinah in the Holy of Holies was the most sacred of korbanot, but they transgressed by presumptuously coming before the LORD without His consent -- and without the blood of sacrifice for their sins (perhaps they were intoxicated as well).
"9 “Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean," Leviticus 10:9-10
Their death was a means to sanctify the Name of the LORD, and to remind all Israel that it is indeed "a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God" (Hebrews 10:31). After all, if Queen Esther feared for her life by coming before King Ahasuerus unbidden, surely the kohanim (priests) should fear coming before the LORD God Almighty without His approval. Therefore the LORD instructed Moses about how to come before His presence in the Holy of Holies and explained the special avodah (service) of Yom Kippur.
On this most solemn day, Aaron was commanded to immerse himself in a mikveh (pool of fresh water) and to dress in all-white linen.
He then was instructed to slaughter a bull as a personal sin offering. Aaron then brought some ketoret (incense) to burn within the Holy of Holies before returning to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering seven times before the Ark of the Covenant (the kapporet or "Mercy Seat").
Aaron repeated this procedure using the blood of one of two goats that was selected (by lot) to be slaughtered as a sin offering on behalf of the people. After this, Aaron took more of the sacrificial blood and purified the Altar of Incense and the other furnishings of the Tabernacle. Later, the fat of these sacrifices were burned on the Copper Altar in the courtyard, though the hide and the flesh were to be entirely burned outside the camp.
The Throne Room of ADONAI, the Holy of Holies is the antithesis of the profane -- the sacred place where ADONAI Himself would be manifest in the form of the Shechinah (glory) that dwelt between the Cherubim over the kapporet (Seat of Atonement) of the Ark of Testimony. As such, it was utterly sacred and represented the throne room of ADONAI Himself in the midst of Israel.
No Jew could casually enter the Holy of Holies and expect to live, since ADONAI's absolute holiness and glory would consume him immediately. YHWH's infinite perfection and irrepressible righteousness would demand that any transgressor be consumed by the very weight of His glory and power!
This is the perfect segue into Parashat Kedoshim: "Holy Ones":
This Torah Portion begins with the call for the Israelites to be holy (kadosh) on account of their relationship with Kedosh Yisrael - "The Holy One of Israel."
The portion therefore focuses on defining a "holiness code" that contains more commandments regarding practical ethics than any other portion of the Torah. It begins with the LORD saying to Moses,
"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.'" Leviticus 19:1-2
In Hebrew, the word kedushah (from the root kadosh) means sanctity or "set-apartness".
Kadosh connotes the sphere of the sacred that is radically separate from all that is sinful and profane. As such, it is lofty and elevated (Isaiah 57:15), beyond all comparison and utterly unique (Isaiah 40:25), entirely righteous (Isaiah 5:16), glorious and awesome (Psalm 99:3), full of light and power (Isaiah 10:7), and is chosen and favored as God's own (Ezekiel 22:26). Indeed, holiness is a synonym for the LORD Himself: Ha'kadosh Baruch Hu - The Holy One, blessed be He.
In other words, holiness implies absolute moral goodness and perfection. It is impossible that the ADONAI could condone sin, since this would negate the distinction between the sacred and profane and thereby undermine the nature of holiness itself.
ADONAI is in opposition to the profane and therefore the LORD must hate and oppose that which violates the sacred. Indeed, one of the first acts of the LORD in the created order was the separation of the heavenly light from darkness, as recorded in Genesis 1:4:
"And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness." Genesis 1:4
Three times in this Parashah is the call to holiness made:
Because the LORD is holy, the Israelites could not be in relationship with Him if they engaged in idolatrous and profane practices. They were therefore called to be separate from all that was unholy (Leviticus 11:44-45). Their call to holiness was based on the fact that they were God's possession because He had separated them from the nations (Leviticus. 20:26)
Conclusion:
But how, then, could Israel come before the King of Israel, the LORD of Glory? Only through an appointed representative who came bearing the blood of atonement on behalf of the sins of Israel, and only on an appointed day, known as Yom Kippur ("Day of Atonement"). On this special day, considered the holiest day of the year, all of the korbanot (sacrifices) would be offered by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) alone (not by any other priests) and only while he was deprived of his "golden outward garments" and clothed exclusively in the white linen garments of humility.
"29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. 32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.
34 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.”
And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses." Leviticus 16:29-34
What does this have to do with us today?
The earthly tabernacle and Levitical sacrifices were mere shadows of the heavenly realities, pointing to YESHUA’s once-for-all sacrifice.
His atonement does not abolish God’s law but fulfills the requirement for bloodshed as necessary for forgiveness of sin, according to Leviticus 17:11:
"...or the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible."
Both of these Parashot (plural for Parashat) reminds us that through Yeshua, we have access to God and eternal redemption, by His shed blood on the tree of sacrifice for us!
"11 But when Messiah appeared as Kohen Gadol (High Priest) of the good things that have now come, passing through the greater and more perfect Tent not made with hands (that is to say not of this creation), 12 He entered into the Holies once for all—not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Messiah—who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God—cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that those called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—since a death has taken place that redeems them from violations under the first covenant. 16 For where there is a covenant, the death of the one who made it must be established." Hebrews 9:11-16
Key Points:
Earthly Shadows Point to Heavenly Realities: The Levitical practices were a foreshadowing of YESHUA’s work.
YESHUA’s Sacrifice Is Sufficient: His blood was shed once for all for eternal redemption.
The New Covenant Transforms: ADONAI’s laws are written on our hearts through the RUACH HA'KODESH (Holy Spirit).
Gratitude for the Sacrifice: Recognize the enormity of YESHUA’s atoning work.
Live with Anticipation: Eagerly await YESHUA's return, staying focused on His promises.
Application: Take time to reflect on the sufficiency of YESHUA's sacrifice and what it means for your relationship with God. Surrender areas of your life where you may be striving to earn His favor, and instead, rest in His finished work. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in living according to God’s Word, and live each day with hope and anticipation for YESHUA's return.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the perfect sacrifice of YESHUA, who entered the heavenly sanctuary to atone for our sins once and for all. Help us to rest in His finished work and live according to Your Word. Write Your laws on our hearts through the Holy Spirit, transforming us to reflect Your will.
Teach us to live with gratitude and anticipation of YESHUA's return. In YESHUA'S MIGHTY NAME, we pray! Amen.
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS FOR ISRAEL!!
Here are some key prayer points, as you intercede for Israel at this time:
“Behold, I AM coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 12:7)
1. Pray for the salvation of all the Jewish people living in Israel, America, and around the world to accept Yeshua as their LORD and Savior. It is written that "all Israel shall be saved”. Romans 11:26-27.
2. Pray that the Israeli Government will come together in unity as one people serving One God! The God of Israel. Read 1 Chronicle 16:11.
The LORD has allowed PM Netanyahu to be Prime Minister once again. “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13:1. Who knows if he has not come into power for such a time as this?
Netanyahu trial: Pray to ask ADONAI for wisdom, God has a plan. ADONAI looks on the inside, the man looks on the outside.
3. Pray for the IDF soldiers who are defending the land, people, and the nation of Israel 24/7. Psalm 121:1-8. Amen! There was a line up of cars earlier this week, as our reservists return to their bases, again. AM YISRAEL CHAI!!! THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL LIVES!!! We speak Psalm 91 over these brave warriors!! We thank You YESHUA for going before them and preparing the way for them, clearing the path, making the way smooth for them! LORD, You are a shield all around them, their glory and the lifter of their heads!! Glory to God in Yeshua's Name! The battle belongs to the Lord.
4. Pray that all of the enemies of Israel will be destroyed in Yeshua's Name. “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries." Exodus 23:22. Read Psalm 138:7.
Ask the LORD, to send His angels from the sanctuary to destroy the demonic spirits of Anti-Semitism, Anti-Israel, Anti-Jews in America, Israel, and around the world. Genesis 12:3.
5. Pray for the Holocaust Survivors who are still living around the world. Pray that they will accept their long-awaited Messiah. “It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him.” Isaiah 30:18.
6. Pray for Dr. Hadassah, Elihana & Israel Elia from FRONTLINE ISRAEL (RESTORE ISRAEL and NATIONS MINISTRY). Pray for their safety, protection, refreshment and continued anointing power by the Holy Spirit, as they continue to minister.
7 Continue to lift up Elihana's health in prayer. She has requested to "Please keep me lifted in prayer for divine protection, wisdom in every decision, and full healing—for the glory of God." YES AND AMEN!! We come into agreement with Elihana's prayer, in YESHUA'S MIGHTY NAME!
LORD, we thank You for answering every one of these prayer points we have lifted up before you today, in Yeshua's Mighty Name, Amen!
THANK YOU to all who have given so generously to
RESTORE ISRAEL MINISTRY AND TO WARRIOR WOMAN,
FOR ELIHANA'S HEALTH!
You are such an important part of this work, with your prayers and financial support!
THANK YOU for partnering with us!
May ADONAI continue to bless you, in Yeshua's Mighty Name.
"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
We pray that this song encourages you:
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