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Leviticus 16:21 - Guilt transferred to wilderness goat?

Leviticus 16:21 - ויקרא 16:21

Hebrew Text

וְסָמַךְ אַהֲרֹן אֶת־שְׁתֵּי ידו [יָדָיו] עַל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׂעִיר הַחַי וְהִתְוַדָּה עָלָיו אֶת־כָּל־עֲוֺנֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת־כָּל־פִּשְׁעֵיהֶם לְכָל־חַטֹּאתָם וְנָתַן אֹתָם עַל־רֹאשׁ הַשָּׂעִיר וְשִׁלַּח בְּיַד־אִישׁ עִתִּי הַמִּדְבָּרָה׃

English Translation

and Aharon shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Yisra᾽el, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of an appointed man into the wilderness:

Transliteration

Vesamakh Aharon et-shtei yadav al rosh hasa'ir hachai vehitvada alav et-kol-avonot bnei Yisrael ve'et-kol-pish'eihem lechol-chatotam venatan otam al-rosh hasa'ir veshilach beyad-ish iti hamidbarah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְסָמַ֨ךְ אַהֲרֹ֜ן אֶת־שְׁתֵּ֣י <span class="mam-kq-trivial">יָדָ֗ו</span> עַ֣ל רֹ֣אשׁ הַשָּׂעִיר֮ הַחַי֒ וְהִתְוַדָּ֣ה עָלָ֗יו אֶת־כׇּל־עֲוֺנֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת־כׇּל־פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם לְכׇל־חַטֹּאתָ֑ם וְנָתַ֤ן אֹתָם֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הַשָּׂעִ֔יר וְשִׁלַּ֛ח בְּיַד־אִ֥ישׁ עִתִּ֖י הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃
וְסָמַ֨ךְ אַהֲרֹ֜ן אֶת־שְׁתֵּ֣י יָדָ֗ו עַ֣ל רֹ֣אשׁ הַשָּׂעִיר֮ הַחַי֒ וְהִתְוַדָּ֣ה עָלָ֗יו אֶת־כׇּל־עֲוֺנֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת־כׇּל־פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם לְכׇל־חַטֹּאתָ֑ם וְנָתַ֤ן אֹתָם֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הַשָּׂעִ֔יר וְשִׁלַּ֛ח בְּיַד־אִ֥ישׁ עִתִּ֖י הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Yom Kippur Scapegoat Ritual

The verse describes the central Yom Kippur ritual of the sa'ir la'Azazel (scapegoat), where the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) transfers the sins of Israel onto a goat that is then sent into the wilderness. This profound atonement process contains several layers of meaning according to Orthodox Jewish tradition.

Rashi's Explanation of the Semicha (Laying of Hands)

Rashi (Vayikra 16:21) explains that Aharon's act of placing both hands on the goat's head represents a complete transference of sins. The double-handed pressure symbolizes the weight and totality of Israel's transgressions being placed upon the animal. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 1:2) adds that this physical act helps create a psychological impact, making the people recognize the seriousness of their sins.

The Vidui (Confession) Process

The Talmud (Yoma 36b) details that the Kohen Gadol would make a specific verbal confession three times during this ritual:

  • First for himself and his household
  • Second for all Kohanim
  • Third for the entire nation of Israel

The Sforno notes that the three categories of sins mentioned (avonot - iniquities, p'sha'im - rebellions, chatot - unintentional sins) encompass all possible transgressions.

The Symbolism of the Wilderness

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 21:10) explains that sending the goat to the wilderness represents:

  • Complete removal of sins from the community
  • Connection to Azazel (a steep mountain) symbolizing the difficulty of overcoming sin
  • Parallel to how sins should be as distant from us as the wilderness is from civilization

The Designated Man (Ish Iti)

The Talmud (Yoma 66a) discusses that this man was pre-selected before Yom Kippur. The term iti implies:

  • He was prepared (m'zuman) for this sacred task
  • He was temporarily separated from his family to maintain purity
  • His mission was time-sensitive, needing completion before nightfall

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 39b
The verse is discussed in the context of the Yom Kippur service, particularly regarding the confession of sins over the scapegoat.
📖 Shevuot 13a
Referenced in a discussion about the atonement process and the role of the high priest in transferring sins to the scapegoat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the scapegoat ritual in Leviticus 16:21?
A: The scapegoat (שעיר המשתלח) ritual was part of the Yom Kippur service in the Temple. According to Rashi and the Talmud (Yoma 39b), the High Priest (Aharon) would symbolically transfer the sins of the Jewish people onto the goat through confession and hand placement. The goat was then sent to the wilderness, representing the removal of sins from the nation.
Q: Why did the High Priest lay hands on the goat?
A: The laying of hands (סמיכה) was a physical act representing the transfer of sins, as explained in the Mishnah (Yoma 4:2) and Rashi's commentary. This was not merely symbolic - the Talmud teaches it had an actual spiritual effect of transferring guilt when performed properly by the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur.
Q: What can we learn from the scapegoat ritual today?
A: Though we no longer have the Temple service, the Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 1:2) teaches that the scapegoat ritual reminds us that true atonement requires: 1) Recognizing our wrongs (represented by the confession), 2) Removing ourselves from sinful behavior (represented by sending the goat away), and 3) Commitment to change (implied in the entire Yom Kippur process).
Q: Who was the 'appointed man' who took the goat to the wilderness?
A: The Talmud (Yoma 66a) states this was a specially designated person (איש עתי) prepared for this task. The Midrash (Torat Kohanim) adds that multiple people were stationed along the route to assist, showing the importance of community effort in the atonement process.
Q: Why was the goat sent to the wilderness specifically?
A: Rashi explains the wilderness represents a desolate place where the goat couldn't return, just as we want our sins to be permanently removed. The Ramban adds that the wilderness (מדבר) alludes to the source of tumah (impurity), showing sins being returned to their origin, away from the Jewish people.