Torah Feed

Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim

Achrei Mot and Kedoshim are read together in most years. Together they cover Leviticus 16:1 to 20:27, 144 verses.

Updated September 24, 2026

אַחֲרֵי מוֹת־קְדֹשִׁים

Book
Leviticus
Reading
16:1 to 20:27
Verses
144
Position
29 of 54

Opening verse

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אַחֲרֵי מוֹת שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן בְּקָרְבָתָם לִפְנֵי־יְהוָה וַיָּמֻתוּ׃

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD, and died;

Leviticus 16:1

Read the full text from the start of the portion: Leviticus 16 in Hebrew and English.

Summary

Achrei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 to 18:30)

After the death of Aaron's two sons, God describes the one day a year when the high priest may enter the Holy of Holies. On Yom Kippur he wears plain linen, offers a bull for his own household, and casts lots over two goats: one is offered to God, and the other, bearing the confessed sins of the people, is sent into the wilderness. The people afflict themselves and do no work. The portion then forbids slaughtering animals for food anywhere but the sanctuary entrance, forbids eating blood, and lists the forbidden sexual relationships, warning that the land itself will not tolerate them.

Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1 to 20:27)

"You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." Spoken to the whole community, not to priests, the sentence introduces a chapter that defines holiness through daily conduct. Revere your parents. Keep Shabbat. Leave the corners of your field and the fallen grapes for the poor and the stranger. Do not steal, lie or swear falsely. Pay a worker the same day. Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind. Judge fairly. Do not gossip. Rebuke, but do not hate. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love the stranger as yourself. Use honest weights. The second chapter sets the penalties for the gravest offenses.

Key moments

  • The Yom Kippur service and the two goats (16:1 to 16:34)
  • "The life of the flesh is in the blood" (17:10 to 17:14)
  • Forbidden relationships (18:1 to 18:30)
  • "You shall be holy" (19:1 to 19:4)
  • The corners of the field left for the poor (19:9 to 19:10)
  • "Love your neighbor as yourself" (19:18)

When is Achrei Mot-Kedoshim read?

Upcoming Shabbat readings in the Diaspora calendar:

  • Saturday, May 6, 2028
  • Saturday, April 28, 2029