HaShavua Acharei Mot-Kedoshim / After The Death-Holy Ones

Sent from Rabbi Jack in Toronto, Thanks, Brad

"תיאור העולם הבא""Depicting Of The Olam Haba"


Parashat HaShavua Acharei Mot-Kedoshim / After The Death-Holy Ones

This Week's Reading List:
VaYikra / Leviticus 16:1-20:27
Yechezk’el / Ezekiel 22:1-16
Ivrim / Hebrews 9:11-28
Kefa Aleph / 1st Peter 1:13-16


I have chosen to only comment on Parasha Acharei Mot for my drash (commentary) this week.

Vayikra {16:12} and he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the mitzbeach (altar) before HaShem, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil: {16:13} and he shall put the incense on the fire before HaShem, that the cloud of the incense may cover the Kapporet (mercy seat) that is on the Ark of the Testimony, that he not die: {16:14} and he shall take of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the Kapporet on the east; and before the Kapporet seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. {16:15} Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the Kapporet, and before the Kapporet:

I realized something when I read this portion of Scripture from Parasha Acharei Mot. What I realized was that the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies) was pitch black. There was no way that Aharon (Aaron) could have seen a thing inside. When we think about how the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was constructed it becomes apparent. There were three layers of coverings and on the outside, the last layer, was badger (seal skin). It was impossible for any light to penetrate inside. Plus inside the Mishkan was a thick Kaporet (curtain) that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This Kaporet was heavy and was woven together. It was said to have been four inches (10. 1cm), so it too was impermeable to light. The only light in the Mishkan was the Menorah. However, the Menorah was in the Holy Place where the Leviim (Levitical priests) ministered. Its light did not and could not reach the Kodesh HaKodashim because of the Kaporet. So how did Aharon see his way around the inside of the Kodesh HaKodashim, especially when he was instructed by HaShem to fill the room with incense so that he would not die? Presumably the incense was to obscure his vision, but given the darkness of the room why would he need incense to obscure his vision. Surly he was unable to see anything anyway, or was he? Was there some supernatural light in the Kodesh HaKodashim that allowed Aharon to see thereby creating a need to obscure his vision with incense?

We need first of all to remember that the Mishkan was HaShem’s Sanctuary. It was His dwelling place in the midst of bnei Yisrael (children of Israel), a place where a Holy G-d could live among an unholy people. However, more than that, the Mishkan was a recreation of the Gan Eden (Garden of Eden). That is why nothing tamei (ritually unclean) or imperfect was allowed to enter it. The Mishkan represented the perfect recreation of the world.

What are we told about this future world?

Hitgalut (Revelation) {22:5} And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the L-rd G-d shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever.

The Kodesh HaKodashim was obviously illuminated by the Cavod (Glory) of G-d. Aharon could, therefore, see. It was not pitch black darkness inside; therefore, only the smoke from the burning incense obscured his vision.

In the olam haba (world to come) there will no longer be a need for a Temple either:

Hitgalut {21:22} And I saw no Temple therein: for the L-rd G-d Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it.

What a beautiful picture HaShem has painted for us in the depicting of the olam haba by the construction and the function of the Mishkan and Bet HaMikdash (Temple). Are you not blessed that you will be a part of this olam haba?

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Baruch HaShem
Rabbi Ya'acov Farber

Hallelujah for our Lord, our Teacher,our Rabbi, "YESHUA" King Messiah for ever and ever!!!
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