Parashat Achrei Mot

On Yom Kippur, Jews across the world recite the verses from Parashat Achrei Mot that detail the ritual of the sacrifices offered on the holiest of days by the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, on behalf of the entire Jewish people and indeed, all people of the earth.
The Kohen Gadol was the only Kohen entrusted to perform these rituals — entrusted both by God and the people. And yet, although the Jewish people during the time of the temples knew there was a Kohen Gadol, few actually knew him or had anything to do with him. Without a close connection to this great figure, how could he function as the people’s representative? How could the actions of the Kohen Gadol on the holiest of days serve as those of an agent for the people he does not know?

There are two aspects in thinking about this relationship. The first is to understand the position of Kohen Gadol as a super-representative of the Jewish people. Similar to the general notion of vicarious atonement, the Kohen Gadol does not merely present their case, he presents himself as the people. The repentance of the Kohen Gadol is in itself the actual repentance of the people, as he stands in their place, prepared to receive the atonement they seek. This type-A Kohen Gadol performs his service publicly, resplendent in the grandeur of the High Priest garments. He wears robes of gold, armor of gemstones, and a headband engraved with the Tetragrammaton, the name of God which may not be uttered. 

But there is a second aspect to this unique relationship, one that is quite the opposite of the first. In this case, the Kohen Gadol is not only a representative — he is a hero. This Kohen Gadol performs the rituals in the most private of spaces — the Kodesh Kodashim, the Holiest of Holies. Gone are the spectacular, ornate garments. Here, the Kohen Gadol arrives in simple white garments — unpretentious and humble. The atmosphere in the Kodesh Kodashim is most solemn. Carrying the incense, he enters the Kodesh Kodashim in total darkness, as the room quickly fills with smoke. Each movement made in the dark mist could result in catastrophe, on the one hand, and salvation on the other. This version of the Kohen Gadol is that of a heroic figure who risks his life to deliver atonement for the Jewish world and beyond. Our belief in “the hero” is that his stature and spirit are so great, that on his own, he will merit what we cannot attain for ourselves.

Shabbat Shalom.