Rabbi’s Message

Rabbi Natan Halevy

Achrei Mot-Kedoshim 5786, BSD

Shalom Uvracha.

This week’s Parashah details the sacred order of the service of Yom Kippur in the Holy Temple. At the heart of this service is a powerful and mysterious word: “בזאת” — “With this shall Aaron enter the Holy.”

The Ramban reveals a beautiful insight. The word “בזאת” is not merely instructional—it is symbolic. It alludes to “זאת” — “this,” the language of covenant. It represents the many sacred bonds between Am Yisrael and Hashem.

Chazal expand this idea with a striking teaching: the Kohen Gadol did not enter the Holy of Holies empty-handed. He entered carrying the spiritual merit of the entire nation. “This”—זאת—refers to the many mitzvot that accompany him:

By the merit of Torah—“And this is the law.”

By the merit of brit milah—“This is My covenant.”

By the merit of Shabbat—“Happy is the one who guards this.”

By the sanctity of Jerusalem—“This is Jerusalem.”

By the unity of the tribes—“And this is what their father spoke.”

By the strength of Yehudah, the assembly of Israel, terumah, ma’aser, and the offerings—

With all of these, the verse concludes: “With this shall Aaron come.”

The message is profound. The Kohen Gadol represents a nation bound to Hashem through countless expressions of commitment. No single act defines us—it is the totality of our connection, the many “this-es” of our lives, that grant us entry into holiness.

Yet there is another essential step.

Before the Kohen Gadol atones for the people, he must first bring atonement for himself. At first glance, this seems surprising. Shouldn’t the leader prioritize the nation?

The answer is given by the prophet Zephaniah: “התקוששו וקושו”—refined by Chazal in Sanhedrin as a directive: correct yourself before correcting others.

True leadership begins within. One who seeks to uplift others must first be grounded, refined, and aligned.

This is the enduring lesson of the Parashah. We approach Hashem not with a single act, but with a lifetime of connection. And when we seek to elevate those around us, we begin by elevating ourselves.

May we be strengthened to live lives filled with many “זאת”—many points of connection, commitment, and holiness—and through them, merit to draw ever closer to Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom Umevorach.