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Leviticus 16:34 - Annual atonement for Israel's sins

Leviticus 16:34 - ויקרא 16:34

Hebrew Text

וְהָיְתָה־זֹּאת לָכֶם לְחֻקַּת עוֹלָם לְכַפֵּר עַל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכָּל־חַטֹּאתָם אַחַת בַּשָּׁנָה וַיַּעַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה׃

English Translation

And this shall be an everlasting statute to you, to make atonement for the children of Yisra᾽el for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moshe.

Transliteration

Ve'ha'yeta-zot lakhem le'chukat olam le'khaper al-b'nei Yisrael mi'kol-chatotam akhat ba'shana va'ya'as ka'asher tziva Adonai et-Moshe.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהָֽיְתָה־זֹּ֨את לָכֶ֜ם לְחֻקַּ֣ת עוֹלָ֗ם לְכַפֵּ֞ר עַל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִכׇּל־חַטֹּאתָ֔ם אַחַ֖ת בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וְהָֽיְתָה־זֹּ֨את לָכֶ֜ם לְחֻקַּ֣ת עוֹלָ֗ם לְכַפֵּ֞ר עַל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִכׇּל־חַטֹּאתָ֔ם אַחַ֖ת בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Vayikra 16:34) concludes the description of the Yom Kippur service performed by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later in the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). It establishes the eternal mitzvah of Yom Kippur as the day of national atonement for Bnei Yisrael.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that "זֹּאת לָכֶם לְחֻקַּת עוֹלָם" ("this shall be an everlasting statute to you") refers specifically to the Yom Kippur service described in the preceding verses, including the special avodah (service) of the Kohen Gadol with the two goats (the goat for Hashem and the scapegoat). Rashi emphasizes that this mitzvah applies "once a year," highlighting its unique annual nature among the Temple services.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Teshuva (1:3), Rambam teaches that while Yom Kippur provides atonement for sins between man and Hashem, sins between man and his fellow require first seeking forgiveness from the wronged party. This verse's phrase "לְכַפֵּר עַל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכָּל־חַטֹּאתָם" ("to make atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins") must be understood in this context - it refers specifically to sins between man and G-d when proper teshuva (repentance) has been done.

Talmudic Insights

  • The Talmud (Yoma 85b) derives from this verse that Yom Kippur provides atonement even without the Beit HaMikdash standing, as the verse calls it a "חֻקַּת עוֹלָם" (everlasting statute).
  • Yoma 86a explains that the atonement of Yom Kippur works on multiple levels - for those who do complete teshuva, it brings full atonement; for those with partial teshuva, it provides partial atonement.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 21:4) connects this verse to the concept that Yom Kippur is compared to a mikveh - just as a mikveh purifies the impure, so does Yom Kippur purify Israel from their sins. The phrase "אַחַת בַּשָּׁנָה" (once a year) emphasizes the annual opportunity for this spiritual purification.

Halachic Implications

The concluding phrase "וַיַּעַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה" ("And he did as the Lord commanded Moshe") establishes the importance of precisely following the divine commandments regarding the Yom Kippur service, as codified in later halacha regarding the detailed observances of the day.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 2a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of Yom Kippur and the atonement process.
📖 Megillah 31a
The verse is referenced in relation to the reading of the Torah portion for Yom Kippur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 16:34 mean?
A: Leviticus 16:34 refers to the commandment of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), which is an eternal statute where the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) performs special services in the Temple to atone for the sins of the Jewish people. According to Rashi, this verse emphasizes that this mitzvah applies every year, even after the Temple's destruction, through repentance, prayer, and fasting.
Q: Why is Yom Kippur called an 'everlasting statute'?
A: The Torah calls Yom Kippur an 'everlasting statute' (חֻקַּת עוֹלָם) because its observance is binding for all generations, even without the Temple. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains in Hilchot Teshuvah that while the Temple service brought atonement, the day itself retains its power for repentance and forgiveness through sincere teshuvah (repentance).
Q: How does this verse apply today without the Temple?
A: Although the Temple service is no longer performed, Yom Kippur remains a day of atonement through fasting, prayer, and repentance. The Talmud (Yoma 85b) teaches that teshuvah (repentance) replaces the sacrifices in achieving atonement. Thus, the essence of the mitzvah continues even in exile.
Q: What can we learn from 'he did as the Lord commanded Moshe'?
A: The phrase teaches the importance of fulfilling mitzvot exactly as commanded. Rashi notes that this refers to Aharon (the High Priest) meticulously following Hashem’s instructions regarding the Yom Kippur service. It emphasizes obedience to Torah law without deviation.
Q: Why is atonement needed 'once a year'?
A: The annual atonement on Yom Kippur provides a designated time for spiritual renewal. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 21:4) compares it to a king who cleanses his palace once a year—similarly, Hashem grants a yearly opportunity to cleanse sins. Regular introspection ensures continuous growth and closeness to Hashem.