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Leviticus 16:16 - Purifying the sacred amidst impurity

Leviticus 16:16 - ויקרא 16:16

Hebrew Text

וְכִפֶּר עַל־הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִטֻּמְאֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶם לְכָל־חַטֹּאתָם וְכֵן יַעֲשֶׂה לְאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד הַשֹּׁכֵן אִתָּם בְּתוֹךְ טֻמְאֹתָם׃

English Translation

and he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Yisra᾽el, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the Tent of Meeting, that remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Transliteration

Vechiper al-hakodesh mitumot bnei Yisrael umipisheihem lechol-chatotam vechen ya'aseh leohel moed hashochen itam betoch tumotam.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכִפֶּ֣ר עַל־הַקֹּ֗דֶשׁ מִטֻּמְאֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם לְכׇל־חַטֹּאתָ֑ם וְכֵ֤ן יַעֲשֶׂה֙ לְאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד הַשֹּׁכֵ֣ן אִתָּ֔ם בְּת֖וֹךְ טֻמְאֹתָֽם׃
וְכִפֶּ֣ר עַל־הַקֹּ֗דֶשׁ מִטֻּמְאֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם לְכׇל־חַטֹּאתָ֑ם וְכֵ֤ן יַעֲשֶׂה֙ לְאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד הַשֹּׁכֵ֣ן אִתָּ֔ם בְּת֖וֹךְ טֻמְאֹתָֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context and Overview

This verse (Vayikra 16:16) is part of the Torah's description of the Yom Kippur service performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Mishkan (and later the Beit HaMikdash). It outlines the atonement process for the Kodesh (Holy of Holies) and the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting) due to the impurities and sins of Bnei Yisrael.

Explanation of Key Terms

  • וְכִפֶּר עַל־הַקֹּדֶשׁ ("and he shall make atonement for the holy place"): Rashi explains that this refers to the purification of the Mikdash from ritual impurities (tum'ot) caused unintentionally by Bnei Yisrael. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim 1:7) elaborates that this atonement was achieved through the sprinkling of the blood of the bull and goat.
  • מִטֻּמְאֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל ("because of the uncleanness of the children of Yisrael"): The Sifra (Acharei Mot 5:6) teaches that this refers to cases where people entered the Mikdash or handled sacred items while in a state of tumah without realizing it.
  • וּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶם לְכָל־חַטֹּאתָם ("and because of their transgressions in all their sins"): Ibn Ezra notes that this includes all categories of sins, whether intentional or unintentional, that may have defiled the sanctity of the Mikdash.

Theological Significance

The verse emphasizes that even the physical structure of the Mikdash requires atonement due to the spiritual state of the people. The Ohr HaChaim highlights the profound concept that the Divine Presence (Shechinah) dwells among Bnei Yisrael בְּתוֹךְ טֻמְאֹתָם ("in the midst of their uncleanness"), demonstrating Hashem's willingness to reside with His people despite their imperfections.

Practical Implications

The Mishnah (Yoma 5:7) details how this verse was applied in the Yom Kippur service, with the Kohen Gadol confessing over the bull and sprinkling its blood in specific patterns to effect atonement for these impurities. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah 1:12) derives from this verse that the Mikdash serves as the central mechanism for national atonement.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 57a
The verse is discussed in the context of the Yom Kippur service, particularly regarding the atonement made for the Holy of Holies and the Tent of Meeting.
📖 Shevuot 2b
Referenced in a discussion about the different types of atonement and their applications, including the atonement for the sanctuary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 16:16 mean?
A: Leviticus 16:16 describes the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) performing atonement for the Holy Sanctuary (the Mishkan or later the Temple) to cleanse it from the spiritual impurities caused by the sins of the Jewish people. Even though the Sanctuary is holy, it can become affected by the transgressions of Israel, and the Yom Kippur service purifies it (Rashi, Ramban).
Q: Why does the Holy Place need atonement if it's holy?
A: The holiness of the Mishkan or Temple does not make it immune to being affected by the sins of the people. The verse teaches that impurity can attach to holy spaces due to wrongdoing, requiring purification. This emphasizes the deep spiritual connection between the Jewish people and the Divine Presence (Shechinah) that dwells among them (Midrash Tanchuma, Acharei Mot 8).
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 16:16 today?
A: Although we no longer have the Temple, this verse teaches that our actions impact our surroundings. Just as sins could affect the holiness of the Mishkan, our behavior influences the spiritual state of our homes and communities. We must strive for purity in our deeds to maintain a sacred environment (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah).
Q: How does the atonement process in Leviticus 16:16 work?
A: On Yom Kippur, the Kohen Gadol would bring special offerings and sprinkle blood in the Holy of Holies to cleanse the Sanctuary from impurities caused by unintentional sins (Chatot) and rebellious acts (Pesha'im). This was part of a detailed process to restore purity between the people and Hashem (Talmud Yoma, Mishnah Shevuot 1).
Q: Does this verse imply that G-d forgives all sins?
A: The atonement described here primarily addresses communal and unintentional sins. For deliberate sins (BeMeizid), true repentance (Teshuvah) is required alongside the Temple service. The verse highlights Hashem's mercy in providing a way to purify the relationship between Him and His people (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuva 1:2-3).