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Leviticus 16:2 - High Priest's sacred access limits

Leviticus 16:2 - ויקרא 16:2

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה דַּבֵּר אֶל־אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ וְאַל־יָבֹא בְכָל־עֵת אֶל־הַקֹּדֶשׁ מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת אֶל־פְּנֵי הַכַּפֹּרֶת אֲשֶׁר עַל־הָאָרֹן וְלֹא יָמוּת כִּי בֶּעָנָן אֵרָאֶה עַל־הַכַּפֹּרֶת׃

English Translation

and the Lord said to Moshe, Speak to Aharon thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the covering, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I appear in the cloud upon the ark cover.

Transliteration

Va'yomer Adonai el-Moshe dabber el-Aharon achicha ve'al-yavo ve'chol-et el-hakodesh mibeit laparochet el-pnei hakaporet asher al-ha'aron ve'lo yamut ki ve'anan era'eh al-hakaporet.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה דַּבֵּר֮ אֶל־אַהֲרֹ֣ן אָחִ֒יךָ֒ וְאַל־יָבֹ֤א בְכׇל־עֵת֙ אֶל־הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת אֶל־פְּנֵ֨י הַכַּפֹּ֜רֶת אֲשֶׁ֤ר עַל־הָאָרֹן֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמ֔וּת כִּ֚י בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן אֵרָאֶ֖ה עַל־הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה דַּבֵּר֮ אֶל־אַהֲרֹ֣ן אָחִ֒יךָ֒ וְאַל־יָבֹ֤א בְכׇל־עֵת֙ אֶל־הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת אֶל־פְּנֵ֨י הַכַּפֹּ֜רֶת אֲשֶׁ֤ר עַל־הָאָרֹן֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמ֔וּת כִּ֚י בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן אֵרָאֶ֖ה עַל־הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Restrictions on Entering the Kodesh HaKodashim

The verse (Vayikra 16:2) instructs that Aharon HaKohen may not enter the Holy of Holies (Kodesh HaKodashim) at any time he chooses, but only on Yom Kippur, as elaborated later in the chapter. Rashi explains that this warning was given after the death of Nadav and Avihu (Vayikra 10:1-2), teaching that even the Kohen Gadol may not enter the innermost sanctuary except under specific conditions.

The Danger of Unauthorized Entry

The phrase "וְאַל־יָבֹא בְכָל־עֵת אֶל־הַקֹּדֶשׁ" ("that he come not at all times into the holy place") emphasizes the severe consequences of improper entry. The Rambam (Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash 2:3) rules that entering the Kodesh HaKodashim at an unauthorized time incurs the penalty of karet (spiritual excision), as the verse concludes, "וְלֹא יָמוּת" ("that he die not").

The Divine Presence in the Cloud

The final clause, "כִּי בֶּעָנָן אֵרָאֶה עַל־הַכַּפֹּרֶת" ("for I appear in the cloud upon the ark cover"), refers to the Shechinah's manifestation between the Keruvim. The Talmud (Yoma 53a) teaches that a cloud of incense was required to shield the Kohen Gadol from directly gazing at the Divine Presence. This aligns with the Midrash (Torat Kohanim 16:2), which states that the cloud served both as a revelation of Hashem's glory and a protective barrier.

Key Lessons from the Verse

  • Respect for Sacred Space: Even the Kohen Gadol must approach the Kodesh HaKodashim with utmost reverence and only at designated times.
  • Divine Accessibility and Boundaries: While Hashem's Presence dwells among Israel (symbolized by the cloud over the Kapores), access to His closeness requires strict adherence to halachic parameters.
  • Precedent for Yom Kippur: This verse introduces the laws of Yom Kippur service, where the Kohen Gadol's entry into the Kodesh HaKodashim becomes a central avodah.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 53a
The verse is discussed in the context of the High Priest's entry into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, emphasizing the restrictions and the divine presence.
📖 Zevachim 115b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the sanctity of the Holy of Holies and the proper times for the High Priest to enter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why couldn't Aaron enter the Holy of Holies at any time?
A: According to Rashi and traditional Jewish sources, Aaron (the High Priest) was forbidden from entering the Holy of Holies (Kodesh HaKodashim) at any time except on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). This was because the Divine Presence rested there in a cloud above the Ark Cover (Kaporet), and entering improperly could result in death. The restriction emphasized the holiness of the space and the need for proper preparation and sanctity when approaching G-d's presence.
Q: What is the significance of the cloud mentioned in Leviticus 16:2?
A: The cloud (עָנָן - anan) represents the Divine Presence (Shechinah) of G-d, as explained in the Talmud (Yoma 53a) and Rashi. It signified that G-d's presence dwelled above the Ark Cover (Kaporet) in the Holy of Holies. The cloud was a visible manifestation of holiness, indicating that this was a sacred space where only the High Priest could enter—and only under specific conditions on Yom Kippur.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse about approaching holiness?
A: This verse teaches the importance of reverence and boundaries when approaching holiness. The Rambam (Hilchot Beit HaBechirah) explains that even the High Priest, the holiest of the Jewish people, could not enter the Holy of Holies whenever he wanted. This reminds us that spiritual connection requires preparation, humility, and respect for sacred spaces and moments—principles that apply today in how we approach prayer, Torah study, and mitzvot.
Q: What was the 'Kaporet' (Ark Cover) mentioned in this verse?
A: The Kaporet (כַּפֹּרֶת) was the golden cover of the Ark of the Covenant, as described in Exodus 25:17-22. According to the Midrash (Tanchuma Terumah 8), it symbolized atonement and the relationship between G-d and Israel. The two golden cherubim on top faced each other, representing divine love. The cloud of G-d's presence rested above the Kaporet, making it the focal point of the Holy of Holies.
Q: How does this verse relate to Yom Kippur?
A: This verse introduces the laws of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), as explained in the Talmud (Yoma 2a). Only on this day could the High Priest enter the Holy of Holies to perform special atonement services, including offering incense and sprinkling blood. The warning against entering at other times highlights the uniqueness of Yom Kippur as the holiest day of the year, when the entire nation repents and draws closest to G-d.