Weekly Sidra: Acharei Mot (after” or “after)
Torah Portion: Vayikra / Leviticus 16:1-18:30
Haftorah: Malachi / Malachi 3:4-2

Acharei, Achrei Mos, Aharei Mot, or Ahare Moth (אַחֲרֵי or אַחֲרֵי מוֹת — Hebrew for “after” or “after the death,” the fifth word or fifth and sixth words, and the first distinctive word or words, in the parshah) is the 29th weekly Torah portion (parshah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the sixth in the book of Leviticus. It constitutes Leviticus 16:1–18:30. Jews in the Diaspora generally read it in April or early May.

The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which say, “Now HaShem spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron” (Leviticus 16:1). Leviticus 16 describes the Tabernacle ceremony for the holy festival of the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 17 establishes general rules for sacrifice and sanctuary. Leviticus 18 lays down specific laws about permitted and forbidden sexual relationships.

Following the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, HaShem 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 HaShem. Another feature of the Day of Atonement service is the casting of lots over two goats to determine which should be offered to HaShem and which should be dispatched to carry off the sins of Israel to the wilderness. The Parshah of Acharei also warns against bringing korbanot (animal or meal offerings) anywhere but in the Holy Temple, forbids the consumption of blood, and details the laws prohibiting incest and other deviant sexual relations.

This parsha continues after parsha Shmini of two weeks ago where Aharon’s two sons passed away when they offered an unauthorized offering in the Mishkan, shortly after the Mishkan was dedicated. The story was interrupted since then with the previous two parshas discussing various kinds of spiritual impurity, mainly the spiritual disease of tzarat. 

This parsha is often part of a double parsha, made up of parshas Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. However, this year we are reading this parsha by itself.

Note: On the Shabbat the Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person "goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading. Here are this week`s aliyot:

1st Aliya: The story continues from where Aharon’s sons just passed away by doing a service in the Mishkan without authorization. HaShem here warns Aharon not to approach the ark at the wrong times, and tells him specifically to only approach it on Yom Kippur. This aliyah gives further details of the Yom Kippur service regarding Aharon’s changes of clothes and all the times he immerses in the mikvah between each change of clothes, and the animals used in the sin offerings. 

2nd Aliya: Continues the description of Aharon’s duties for the service in the Mishkan on Yom Kippur. Specifically included here is the scape goat ceremony. 

3rd Aliya: HaShem states that Yom Kippur shall be on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei. This is also the day that Moshe rabenu came down from mount Sinai with the second set of luchot (tablets) and informed the people that they had received atonement for the making of the golden calf. HaShem states that on Yom Kippur work shouldn’t be performed, and that we should afflict our souls. 

4th Aliya: HaShem says that sacrifices may not be offered anywhere else, other than the Mishkan. 

5th Aliya: HaShem says that it is forbidden to eat blood, or animals that are torn in the field or die by themselves.  In addition, when the people of Israel get to the land of the Canaanites, they shouldn’t follow after their ways. 

6th Aliya: The Torah lists several prohibited sexual relationships with close relatives, and also with a woman who is niddah (who has not yet gone to the mikvah as described in the laws of Taharat Hamishpocha). This section of the Torah is read as the Torah reading at Mincha on Yom Kippur. 

7th Aliya: Discusses the prohibition of homosexuality and of bestiality of men and woman. HaShem says the Jewish people shouldn’t defile themselves with these things as the nations being cast out before them in the land of Canaan defiled the land with these actions. The Torah adds that that is why the land vomited them out. Rashi says that just as a person can’t keep vile food in his stomach, the land of Israel can’t contain transgressors.