Parshat Acharei Mot (After the Death)

The Torah portion is Acharei Mot, Leviticus 16:1-18:30.

This parshah begins by referring back to the death of Aaron's sons Nadav and Abihu in Chapter 10, then goes on to detail the offerings and procedures for Yom Kippur. It limits offerings to the central location (the Tent of Meeting here; the Temple in later days), prohibits eating blood, and prohibits certain sexual practices identified as common in Egypt: incest, homosexuality and bestiality. Don't blame me or call me homophobic; I am merely reporting what this parshah says.

The haftarah is Ezekiel 22:1-22:19. This haftarah speaks of a time when the people committed many of the sins discussed in the Torah portion and speaks of their punishment, but it ends on a positive note, as most haftarot do.

In synagogues using the Sephardic tradition, the Haftarah is Ezekiel 22:1-22:16.