📘 Rashi Q&A
16:1 — After the Death of Aaron’s Sons
Q1. Why does the Torah emphasize “after the death of Aaron’s two sons”?
A: To warn Aaron more strongly, like a doctor who says, “Do not act this way so that you do not die as so‑and‑so did,” which is more motivating than a general warning.
Q2. What warning is conveyed by “וְאַל־יָבֹא” (he must not come)?
A: Aaron must not repeat the mistake of his sons, lest he die as they did.
Q3. What does “וְלֹא יָמוּת” imply?
A: If he does enter unlawfully, he will die.
Q4. What is meant by “כִּי בֶּעָנָן אֵרָאֶה”?
A: God’s Presence is constantly revealed there in a cloud; therefore entry is dangerous.
Q5. How do the Sages interpret “כִּי”?
A: He may enter only when he produces a cloud of incense, i.e., on Yom Kippur.
16:3 — “With This” Aaron Enters
Q6. What is the significance of the word “בְּזֹאת”?
A: Its numerical value is 410, alluding to the years the First Temple stood.
Q7. Does Aaron enter regularly even with these offerings?
A: No—only on Yom Kippur, as stated later.
Q8. Why does the High Priest wear only linen garments inside?
A: Because gold recalls the Golden Calf, and an accuser cannot be a defender.
Q9. How many garments does he wear inside?
A: Four linen garments, like an ordinary priest.
Q10. What does “קֹדֶשׁ יִלְבָּשׁ” teach?
A: These garments must be purchased with Temple funds.
Q11. What does “יִצְנֹף” mean?
A: He places the turban on his head.
Q12. How many immersions does the High Priest perform that day?
A: Five immersions and ten washings of hands and feet.
Q13. What does “אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ” teach about the bull?
A: It must come from Aaron’s own funds, not communal funds.
Q14. Who is included in “בֵּיתוֹ”?
A: All the priests, called “the house of Aaron.”
Q15. How were the lots placed on the goats?
A: Aaron drew lots with both hands and placed them on the goats.
Q16. What is meant by “עֲזָאזֵל”?
A: A harsh, rocky precipice.
Q17. How is the goat designated a sin‑offering?
A: Aaron verbally declares: “For God, a sin‑offering.”
Q18. Why does Scripture say the Azazel goat must remain “alive”?
A: To teach that it remains alive until sent away, implying it is then sent to death.
Q19. What does the repetition of “וְכִפֶּר בַּעֲדוֹ” teach?
A: Aaron makes a second confession, this time including the priests.
Q20. For which sins do the priests receive atonement?
A: For entering the Sanctuary or eating sacred items while defiled.
Q21. From where are the coals taken?
A: From the Outer Altar, west side.
Q22. Why is the incense described as “דַּקָּה”?
A: It must be extra‑fine, reground on Yom Kippur eve.
Q23. Why is preparing the incense so critical?
A: Failure to prepare it correctly brings death.
Q24. How many times is the blood dashed?
A: One upward and seven downward.
Q25. Which goat’s blood is brought inside?
A: The goat designated for God, not for Azazel.
Q26. What sins are included under “טֻמְאֹת”?
A: Unaware entry into the Sanctuary while defiled.
Q27. What sins are included under “פִּשְׁעֵיהֶם”?
A: Intentional entry while defiled.
Q28. What does “השוכן איתם בתוך טומאותם” teach?
A: God’s Presence remains with Israel even amid defilement.
Q29. Which altar is “the Altar before God”?
A: The Golden Altar inside the Sanctuary.
Q30. Why does the verse say “וְיָצָא”?
A: Because Aaron moves eastward beyond the Altar to begin its atonement.
Q31. How is the blood applied to the Altar?
A: Blood of the bull and goat are mixed, placed on the protrusions, then dashed seven times on top.
16:21–22 — Confession on the Living Goat
Q32. What sins are confessed over the Azazel goat?
A: All willful, rebellious, and unintentional sins of Israel.
Q33. What is an “אִישׁ עִתִּי”?
A: A man appointed the day before to lead the goat.
Q34. Where is the goat sent?
A: To a precipitous desert land, to its death.
16:23 — Removing the Linen Garments
Q35. Why is this verse considered out of sequence?
A: Because removing the garments occurs after additional services, not immediately.
Q36. What is the real purpose of entering the Tent here?
A: To remove the incense pan and spoon from the Holy of Holies.
Q37. What is learned from “וְהִנִּיחָם שָׁם”?
A: The linen garments are stored away permanently and never reused.
16:24 — Returning to Golden Garments
Q38. What does this immersion correspond to?
A: Changing from white garments back to golden garments requires immersion.
Q39. Where were most immersions performed?
A: In a sanctified place, on the roof of the Parvah House.
Q40. Which offerings are brought now?
A: Aaron’s ram and the people’s ram as ascent‑offerings.
