In this Weekly Portion following the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, G‑d warns against unauthorized entry “into the holy.” Only one person, the kohen gadol (“high priest”), may, but once a year, on Yom Kippur, enter the innermost chamber in the Sanctuary to offer the sacred ketoret to G‑d.
This week’s portion begins by detailing how the recovered Metzora is purified by the Kohen (priest) with a special procedure involving two birds, spring water in an earthen vessel, a piece of cedar wood, a scarlet thread and a bundle of hyssop.
A home can also be afflicted with tzaraat by the ap...
This week’s portion continues the discussion of the laws of tumah v’taharah, ritual impurity and purity.
In this week’s portion, after the dedication of the Tabernacle and the ordination of the priests, two of Aaron's sons bring a strange fire before God and are consumed by fire. God then instructs Moses and Aaron regarding which animals may be eaten.
