Parsha Acharei Mot – K’doshim Torah Summary:

The duties that the head kohein must perform on Yom Kippur are delineated and the ceremony of the scapegoat is outlined. (16:1-28) Moses instructs Aaron about the Yom Kippur laws for fasting and atonement. (16:29-34) Warnings are issued against the offering of sacrifices outside the Sanctuary and the consumption of blood. (17:1-16) Moses condemns the sexual practices of some neighboring peoples. Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited. (18:1-30) God issues a variety of commandments, instructing the Israelites on how to be a holy people. (19:1-37) Various sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are presented. (20:1-27) Acharei Mot – K’doshim “You shall be holy, for I Adonai your God am holy” How can we be as holy as God? God is all powerful, eternal, and totally other than us, so how can we be as holy as God? Well we cannot, but we can try. The Torah portion tells us that our actions matter, and that we should live are lives, trying all the time to do good towards other people, and by that striving to live and be who we ought to be. Acharei Mot – K’doshim