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Leviticus 16:10 - Scapegoat's mysterious atonement ritual

Leviticus 16:10 - ויקרא 16:10

Hebrew Text

וְהַשָּׂעִיר אֲשֶׁר עָלָה עָלָיו הַגּוֹרָל לַעֲזָאזֵל יָעֳמַד־חַי לִפְנֵי יְהוָה לְכַפֵּר עָלָיו לְשַׁלַּח אֹתוֹ לַעֲזָאזֵל הַמִּדְבָּרָה׃

English Translation

But the goat, on which the lot fell for ῾Azazel, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement over him, and to let him go to ῾Azazel into the wilderness.

Transliteration

Vehasa'ir asher ala alav hagoral la'aza'zel ya'amad-chai lifnei Adonai lechaper alav leshalach oto la'aza'zel hamidbara.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהַשָּׂעִ֗יר אֲשֶׁר֩ עָלָ֨ה עָלָ֤יו הַגּוֹרָל֙ לַעֲזָאזֵ֔ל יׇֽעֳמַד־חַ֛י לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לְכַפֵּ֣ר עָלָ֑יו לְשַׁלַּ֥ח אֹת֛וֹ לַעֲזָאזֵ֖ל הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃
וְהַשָּׂעִ֗יר אֲשֶׁר֩ עָלָ֨ה עָלָ֤יו הַגּוֹרָל֙ לַעֲזָאזֵ֔ל יׇֽעֳמַד־חַ֛י לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לְכַפֵּ֣ר עָלָ֑יו לְשַׁלַּ֥ח אֹת֛וֹ לַעֲזָאזֵ֖ל הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Goat for Azazel in the Yom Kippur Service

The verse describes the central ritual of the Yom Kippur service involving the two goats - one designated for Hashem and the other for Azazel (Vayikra 16:10). This mysterious ritual requires careful analysis through traditional Jewish sources.

Meaning of Azazel

Rashi explains that "Azazel" refers to a steep, rocky mountain in the wilderness. The Ramban offers a deeper interpretation, seeing Azazel as representing the forces of impurity that oppose kedusha (holiness). The goat symbolically carries away the sins of Israel to this realm of tumah (impurity).

The Atonement Process

  • Standing Before Hashem: The goat must first stand alive before Hashem (Yoma 62a) to show that atonement begins with recognition of Divine judgment.
  • Confession of Sins: The Kohen Gadol would confess the sins of Israel while placing his hands on the goat (Yoma 66b), transferring spiritual impurity.
  • Wilderness Destination: Sending the goat to the wilderness represents complete removal of sin, as the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 21:9) compares this to sins being cast into a place of desolation.

Philosophical Significance

The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:46) explains this ritual as a powerful visual lesson - just as the goat disappears into the wilderness, so too should we strive to completely remove sin from our lives. The Maharal (Gevuros Hashem ch. 52) adds that this represents the complete nullification of evil's power over Israel.

Halachic Requirements

The Mishnah (Yoma 6:2-6) details the precise requirements: the goat must be taken to a specific cliff in the wilderness and pushed off, dying before reaching the bottom. This demonstrates the seriousness with which we must treat the eradication of sin.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 39a
The verse is discussed in the context of the Yom Kippur service, particularly regarding the ritual of the two goats, one for the Lord and the other for Azazel.
📖 Yoma 67b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the atonement process and the significance of sending the goat to Azazel in the wilderness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the 'goat for Azazel' represent in Leviticus 16:10?
A: The 'goat for Azazel' (שעיר לעזאזל) is one of two goats chosen on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). According to Rashi and the Talmud (Yoma 67b), this goat symbolically carries away the sins of the Jewish people into the wilderness, representing complete removal of transgressions when proper repentance is done.
Q: Why was the goat sent to the wilderness in Leviticus 16:10?
A: The Mishnah (Yoma 6:6) explains that sending the goat to the wilderness (a desolate place called Azazel) symbolizes removing sins entirely from the community. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 1:2) teaches that this ritual demonstrates how sincere repentance can erase sins completely, just as the goat disappears into the wilderness.
Q: What is the significance of the lots cast for the two goats in this verse?
A: The High Priest would cast lots to determine which goat would be for Hashem (offered as a sacrifice) and which for Azazel (sent away). The Talmud (Yoma 62a) states this shows that atonement isn't random - both goats were identical, teaching that our repentance must be complete whether our sins are 'for Hashem' (between man and G-d) or 'for Azazel' (between man and man).
Q: How do we apply the lesson of the Azazel goat today without the Temple?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 2:8) explains that while we no longer have the Temple service, sincere repentance (teshuva) combined with prayer, charity, and fasting on Yom Kippur achieves the same atonement. The Azazel goat teaches us that sins can be completely removed when we properly abandon our wrongdoings.
Q: What does 'Azazel' mean in this verse?
A: Rashi explains Azazel means 'a steep, rocky mountain' - the rugged wilderness area where the goat was sent. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 21:5) connects it to the word 'azaz' (עזז - strong), indicating the goat had to be strong enough for the difficult journey, symbolizing how removing sins requires strong commitment to change.