Acharey Moth אַֽחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת (After the death) LEVITICUS 16:1-18:30

PROPHETS : EZEKIEL 22:1-19| GOSPEL : MATTHEW 15:10-20; MARK 12:28-34

by Min. Donald H. Garrett

TORAH:

This week’s parashah means “after the death,” referring to the death of Aaron’s two sons, who offered incense unauthorized, “alien fire” the Tanach calls it.

One of the key sections of this parashah is the Forbidden relationships in chapter 18 (they are restated in the next parashah also in chapter 20). The forbidden relationships mostly speaks directly to men on who they can have sexual relations with. Forbidden are: mothers, mothers-in-law, step mothers, aunts, aunts-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, half-sisters, step sisters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, a woman and her daughter together, a woman and her sister together, another man’s wife, a woman on her period (even his wife), homosexuality, and bestiality. Women are specifically told not to get before an animal for mating. The penalties for each type of forbidden relationship is different though. Some require death of both parties, some expulsion, and some just bearing their iniquity (most likely meaning to become childless). Most of the penalties are found in chapter 20 though.

(c) Copyright April 2021 Min. Donald H. Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.

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