Weekly Inspiration: Parashat Achrei Mot–Kedoshim, New Teachings, and a Powerful Testimony

Published: Tue, 05/06/25

Updated: Wed, 05/07/25

"The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God."

Leviticus 18:1-2

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, May 10th, is Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim. This week’s reading, Acharei-Kedoshim, begins with a detailed description of the service of the High Priest on Yom Kippur. Dozens of commandments are then discussed in this week’s reading. Among them: the prohibitions against offering sacrifices outside the Temple; consuming blood; incestuous, adulterous, or other forbidden relationships; various mandatory gifts for the poor; love for every Jew, prohibition against sorcery; honesty in business dealings; and sexual morality.

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about this week's Torah portion, Achrei Mot-Kedoshim, and share your thoughts with us!

Last week, our popular Root Source teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about Tazria Metzora. Watch it below.

Participate in our enlightening lesson Teacher Dr. Rivkah Adler talked about Yocheved 1. Watch it below.

Take part in the inspiring lesson Proverbs Ch 2 Verses 1-5 with Teacher Rabbi Aryeh Leifert. Learn more below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Pastor Alan Latta have to share.

Gidon's Perspective on Root Source and Jewish-Christian Unity - Interview with Paul Calvert. Watch it below.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Rosh Hanikra Grottoes, Israel.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

The High Priest is instructed to only enter the Holy of Holies chamber of the sanctuary once a year, on Yom Kippur; and even on this holiest day of the year, the entry into the Temple’s inner sanctum must be accompanied by a special service and specific offerings which are detailed in this reading. The High Priest was only permitted to enter amidst a cloud of burning incense. Also, special white garments were worn by the High Priest on this day. While offering the day’s sacrifices, the High Priest would “confess” on behalf of the entire nation, attaining atonement for the past year’s sins.

Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: The Peril of Proximity: Lessons from the Death of Aaron's Sons

The death of Aaron’s sons illuminates a profound paradox in spiritual life: those who stand closest to the sacred face the greatest danger of treating it with casualness. The Priests, who operated daily within the Temple precincts, became so accustomed to holiness that they risked losing their sense of awe. When Nadav and Avihu entered the Holy of Holies unbidden or brought unauthorized fire, they did so because their constant proximity to the divine had bred a dangerous overfamiliarity. This is why God declares, “I will be sanctified through those near to Me” – those closest to holiness are held to the strictest standard precisely because their actions shape how others perceive the sacred.

Learn here

Tazria Metzora:
Rabbi Gedalia Meyer's Weekly Torah Study

Rav Gedalia focuses on Yom Atzma’ut (Israel Independence Day) and the unlikely establishment and rise of the state of Israel after a 2,000 year hiatus. An act of G-d? or the result of Jewish tenacity? Or both?

Watch the video

Yocheved 1

In this lesson, we meet the mother of Moses and learn about her marriage and her children.

Learn here

Proverbs Ch 2 Verses 1-5

Rabbi Aryeh Leifert comments on 10 verses of Proverb 2:1-5. In 2:1-5, we learn how wisdom must be sought after with passion, the way a treasure-hunter searches after a treasure. He does not let obstacles get in his way, and neither should we.

Learn here

Conversations:
Gidon Ariel and Alan Latta - March 27, 2023

Gidon and Alan Latta talk about some really interesting topics, like why the second day of creation doesn’t say “good,” what the rakia (sky or firmament) is, and why we change the clocks. They also look at how to use a Bible concordance, the strange story in Numbers 5 about the unfaithful wife, and whether the Bible says anything about abortion.

Watch the video

Gidon's Perspective on Root Source and Jewish-Christian Unity - Interview with Paul Calvert - May 21, 2016

In this interview, Paul Calvert talks with Gidon Ariel about Root Source, a website where religious Jews from Israel teach Christians about the Jewish roots of their faith. Gidon explains how Root Source has helped thousands of Christians around the world better understand topics like the Torah, Jewish traditions, and Israel. He shares that the platform offers online courses on things like Jewish prayers, leadership from Moses, biblical Hebrew, and the Holy Temple. Gidon also talks about his book Israel First, co-written with Christian partner Bob Odell, which looks at topics like the Blood Moons, the Shemitah year, and God’s promises in Genesis 12:3. The book and the platform both focus on building friendship and respect between Jews and Christians, encouraging more learning and shared faith.

Watch the video

Comments

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Jennifer Gerrish on

A good, concise introduction to the Jewish concept of the Oral Torah

"Thank you very much for this teaching. I never knew exactly what was meant by the Oral Tradition, and now I know! It is very helpful and interesting and revelatory. The explanation of the sharp difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees is also fascinating and helpful."

Rosh Hanikra Grottoes, Israel

Enjoy this photo taken in Rosh Hanikra Grottoes, Israel by
Vitaliy Paykov.

Blessings and Shalom,
Bob and Gidon

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