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Leviticus 16:15 - Atonement through sacred blood ritual

Leviticus 16:15 - ויקרא 16:15

Hebrew Text

וְשָׁחַט אֶת־שְׂעִיר הַחַטָּאת אֲשֶׁר לָעָם וְהֵבִיא אֶת־דָּמוֹ אֶל־מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת וְעָשָׂה אֶת־דָּמוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְדַם הַפָּר וְהִזָּה אֹתוֹ עַל־הַכַּפֹּרֶת וְלִפְנֵי הַכַּפֹּרֶת׃

English Translation

Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring its blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the covering, and before the covering:

Transliteration

Veshachat et-seir hachatat asher la'am vehevi et-damo el-mibeit laparochet ve'asah et-damo ka'asher asah le-dam hapar vehizah oto al-hakaporet velifnei hakaporet.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְשָׁחַ֞ט אֶת־שְׂעִ֤יר הַֽחַטָּאת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָעָ֔ם וְהֵבִיא֙ אֶת־דָּמ֔וֹ אֶל־מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת וְעָשָׂ֣ה אֶת־דָּמ֗וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְדַ֣ם הַפָּ֔ר וְהִזָּ֥ה אֹת֛וֹ עַל־הַכַּפֹּ֖רֶת וְלִפְנֵ֥י הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃
וְשָׁחַ֞ט אֶת־שְׂעִ֤יר הַֽחַטָּאת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָעָ֔ם וְהֵבִיא֙ אֶת־דָּמ֔וֹ אֶל־מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת וְעָשָׂ֣ה אֶת־דָּמ֗וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְדַ֣ם הַפָּ֔ר וְהִזָּ֥ה אֹת֛וֹ עַל־הַכַּפֹּ֖רֶת וְלִפְנֵ֥י הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃

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Parasha Commentary

Verse Context: Yom Kippur Service

This verse (Vayikra 16:15) describes part of the Yom Kippur service performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies. The "goat of the sin offering" refers to the se'ir chatat (שעיר חטאת), one of two goats designated for atonement on Yom Kippur (the other being the "scapegoat" sent to Azazel).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Vayikra 16:15) clarifies that the phrase "which is for the people" specifies this goat atones for the sins of all of Israel, unlike the bullock (mentioned earlier in the verse) which atoned for the Kohen Gadol and his household. The blood is brought "within the veil" (מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת) into the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies).

Procedure of Sprinkling the Blood

  • Parallel to the Bullock: The Kohen Gadol sprinkles the goat's blood in the same manner as he did with the bullock's blood - "as he did with the blood of the bullock" (Rambam, Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim 5:3).
  • Direction of Sprinkling: The blood is sprinkled "upon the covering" (the Ark's kaporet) and "before the covering" (toward the Parochet curtain), following the precise method taught to Moshe at Sinai (Yoma 53a).

Symbolism of the Blood Service

The Midrash (Torat Kohanim 16:15) teaches that the sprinkling of blood represents purification and atonement through divine mercy. The blood's placement on the kaporet (which means "atonement cover") signifies that Hashem forgives Israel when they repent sincerely.

Halachic Significance

According to the Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 1:3), the Yom Kippur service—including this blood ritual—only atones when accompanied by teshuva (repentance). The physical act of sprinkling blood is ineffective without sincere remorse and commitment to change (Yoma 85b).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 53a
The verse is discussed in the context of the Yom Kippur service, specifically regarding the sprinkling of the blood of the goat of the sin offering within the veil and before the covering.
📖 Zevachim 49b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the proper procedures for sacrifices, particularly the handling and sprinkling of the blood of the sin offering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the goat of the sin offering in Leviticus 16:15?
A: The goat of the sin offering (שְׂעִיר הַחַטָּאת) in Leviticus 16:15 refers to one of the two goats brought on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). This goat was sacrificed as an atonement for the sins of the Jewish people. Its blood was brought inside the Holy of Holies (מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת) and sprinkled on the Ark's covering (כַּפֹּרֶת) to purify the nation, as explained by Rashi and the Talmud (Yoma 5:3).
Q: Why was the blood sprinkled on the covering (כַּפֹּרֶת) in Leviticus 16:15?
A: The sprinkling of the blood on the covering (כַּפֹּרֶת) symbolized atonement and purification before Hashem. The כַּפֹּרֶת was the golden lid of the Ark in the Holy of Holies, representing divine mercy. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim 4:2) explains that this act was essential for obtaining forgiveness for the Jewish people on Yom Kippur.
Q: How does Leviticus 16:15 relate to Yom Kippur today?
A: Although we no longer have the Temple service today, Leviticus 16:15 teaches the importance of repentance and seeking atonement on Yom Kippur. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 18a) states that prayer, fasting, and teshuva (repentance) now replace the sacrifices. The verse reminds us of the seriousness of spiritual purification and our connection to Hashem.
Q: What can we learn from the High Priest's actions in Leviticus 16:15?
A: The High Priest’s meticulous service in Leviticus 16:15 teaches the value of precision in serving Hashem and the gravity of atonement. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 21:7) emphasizes that every detail—like sprinkling the blood in the exact manner—reflects the care we must take in fulfilling mitzvot and repairing our relationship with Hashem.
Q: Why was the blood of the goat brought inside the Holy of Holies?
A: The blood was brought inside the Holy of Holies (מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת) because this was the holiest place, where the Divine Presence rested. Rashi (on Leviticus 16:15) explains that this act was necessary to achieve kaparah (atonement) for the entire nation, as it symbolized the purification of the people before Hashem on Yom Kippur.