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Leviticus 16:1-20:27 Acharei Mot-Kedoshim

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Leviticus 5: Acharei Mot- Kedoshim


To Hear a Talk based on the Text below:
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim Leviticus 16:1-20:27
Yom Kippur, Forbidden Sex, and Other Matters
http://britam.org/Broadcasts/newBAMBI/ParAchrkdshm.mp3
(ca. 1 hour 15 minutes)
Talk includes points not mentioned in the text.


Acharei Mot- Kedoshim
Yom Kippur, Forbidden Sex, and Other Matters
Acharei Mot
s.1
[Leviticus 16:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES AFTER THE DEATH OF THE TWO SONS OF AARON, WHEN  THEY OFFERED BEFORE THE LORD, AND DIED;  
The two sons of Aaron had died for offering up "strange fire" (Leviticus 10:1-2) meaning some form of worship that had not been authorized.
We should be careful about being too religious and taking on ourselves extra practices of our own invention that may not necessarily be pleasing to the Almighty.            
      
 
[Leviticus 16:2] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, SPEAK UNTO AARON THY BROTHER, THAT HE COME NOT AT ALL TIMES INTO THE HOLY PLACE WITHIN THE VAIL BEFORE THE MERCY SEAT, WHICH IS UPON THE ARK; THAT  HE DIE NOT: FOR I WILL APPEAR IN THE CLOUD UPON THE MERCY SEAT. 
The commandments given to Aaron where to be applicable to the High Priest in the Temple Service for all time. It was forbidden to enter into the Inner Temple Sanctuary (Holy of Holies) except on the Day of Atonement and then only the High Priest alone could go in after he had fulfilled the prior requirements listed here.                    
THE MERCY SEAT. Hebrew "
kaporet" which was the covering of the Ark that was stationed permanently inside the Holy of Holies. The "kaporet" consisted of a piece of pure gold that had been hammered and stretched into a covering over the ark with the statues of two cherubim. There was one cherub at each end. The cherubs had their wings stretched out so that the wings of each one touched those of the other. Over the cherubim hovered a cloud from which the Divine Presence made itself felt.
 
[Leviticus 16:3] THUS SHALL AARON COME INTO THE HOLY PLACE: WITH A YOUNG BULLOCK FOR A SIN OFFERING, AND A RAM FOR A BURNT OFFERING.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:4] HE SHALL PUT ON THE HOLY LINEN COAT, AND HE SHALL HAVE THE LINEN BREECHES UPON HIS FLESH, AND SHALL BE GIRDED WITH A LINEN GIRDLE, AND WITH THE LINEN MITRE SHALL HE BE ATTIRED: THESE ARE HOLY GARMENTS; THEREFORE SHALL HE WASH HIS FLESH IN WATER, AND SO PUT THEM ON.
The High Priest on  Yom Kippur had two sets of clothes. One set made entirely out of linen was the same as that of the ordinary priests and consisted of 4 garments: A tunic, trousers, head covering, and belt. Any other clothing was forbidden and the service was in bare feet. The other set of clothing consisted of eight garments: trousers, tunic, head covering, belt, over garment, ephod (vest), breast-plate, and coronet. When entering the Inner Sanctuary ("Kedosh HaKedoshim" in Hebrew i.e. Holy of Holies) he had to change into the simple 4 garment uniform. Altogether he changed his garments on Yom Kippur five times. Each time between changing garments he had to ritually immerse his whole body in a special pool and after that pour water over his feet and hands.                  
 
[Leviticus 16:5] AND HE SHALL TAKE OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TWO KIDS OF THE GOATS FOR A SIN OFFERING, AND ONE RAM FOR A BURNT OFFERING.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:6] AND AARON SHALL OFFER HIS BULLOCK OF THE SIN OFFERING, WHICH IS FOR HIMSELF, AND MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR HIMSELF, AND FOR HIS HOUSE.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:7] AND HE SHALL TAKE THE TWO GOATS, AND PRESENT THEM BEFORE THE LORD AT THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:8] AND AARON SHALL CAST LOTS UPON THE TWO GOATS; ONE LOT FOR THE LORD, AND THE OTHER  LOT FOR THE SCAPEGOAT.
  SCAPEGOAT. Hebrew "Azazel" meaning the cliff in the wilderness that the goat was thrown over.
 "
Azaz" means strong, rough or rugged and "el" means "mighty". In other words he was to be thrown over a mighty rugged high-up precipice.  Later interpretations took "Azazel" to represent a kind of demon or the forces of evil and so we get the idea of a placatory offering or scapegoat. Symbolically the goat was to be thrown to its doom as if it was being offered up in place of the Children of Israel.
 
[Leviticus 16:9] AND AARON SHALL BRING THE GOAT UPON WHICH THE LORD'S LOT FELL, AND OFFER HIM FOR A  SIN OFFERING.   
There were two goats. One was offered up as a sacrifice on the altar while the other was driven into the wilderness to be thrown over a cliff. The lottery decided which of the two goats would fulfil which task.                 
 
[Leviticus 16:10] BUT THE GOAT, ON WHICH THE LOT FELL TO BE THE SCAPEGOAT, SHALL BE PRESENTED ALIVE BEFORE THE LORD, TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT WITH HIM, AND TO LET HIM GO FOR A SCAPEGOAT INTO THE WILDERNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:11] AND AARON SHALL BRING THE BULLOCK OF THE SIN OFFERING, WHICH IS FOR HIMSELF, AND SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR HIMSELF, AND FOR HIS HOUSE, AND SHALL KILL THE BULLOCK OF THE SIN OFFERING WHICH IS FOR HIMSELF:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:12] AND HE SHALL TAKE A CENSER FULL OF BURNING COALS OF FIRE FROM OFF THE ALTAR BEFORE THE LORD, AND HIS HANDS FULL OF SWEET INCENSE BEATEN SMALL, AND BRING IT WITHIN THE VAIL:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:13] AND HE SHALL PUT THE INCENSE UPON THE FIRE BEFORE THE LORD, THAT THE CLOUD OF THE INCENSE MAY COVER THE MERCY SEAT THAT IS UPON THE TESTIMONY, THAT HE DIE NOT:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:14] AND HE SHALL TAKE OF THE BLOOD OF THE BULLOCK, AND SPRINKLE IT WITH HIS FINGER UPON THE MERCY SEAT EASTWARD; AND BEFORE THE MERCY SEAT SHALL HE SPRINKLE OF THE BLOOD WITH HIS FINGER SEVEN TIMES.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:15] THEN SHALL HE KILL THE GOAT OF THE SIN OFFERING, THAT IS FOR THE PEOPLE, AND BRING HIS BLOOD WITHIN THE VAIL, AND DO WITH THAT BLOOD AS HE DID WITH THE BLOOD OF THE BULLOCK, AND  SPRINKLE IT UPON THE MERCY SEAT, AND BEFORE THE MERCY SEAT:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:16] AND HE SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THE HOLY PLACE, BECAUSE OF THE UNCLEANNESS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS IN ALL THEIR SINS: AND SO SHALL HE DO FOR THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, THAT REMAINETH AMONG THEM IN THE MIDST OF THEIR UNCLEANNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:17] AND THERE SHALL BE NO MAN IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION WHEN HE GOETH IN TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT IN THE HOLY PLACE, UNTIL HE COME OUT, AND HAVE MADE AN ATONEMENT FOR HIMSELF, AND FOR HIS HOUSEHOLD, AND FOR ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL.  
Here we have an account of how three times he goes into the Holy of Holies: First he takes the incense in, then the blood of the bull, then the blood of the ram which he sprinkles before the ark and on it.                  
 
[Leviticus 16:18] AND HE SHALL GO OUT UNTO THE ALTAR THAT IS BEFORE THE LORD, AND MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR IT; AND SHALL TAKE OF THE BLOOD OF THE BULLOCK, AND OF THE BLOOD OF THE GOAT, AND PUT IT UPON THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR ROUND ABOUT.   
This is the small altar of gold which was in the sanctuary just before the curtain that divided the Sanctuary for the Holy of Holies. Normally incense was offered up every day on this altar.                 
 
[Leviticus 16:19] AND HE SHALL SPRINKLE OF THE BLOOD UPON IT WITH HIS FINGER SEVEN TIMES, AND CLEANSE IT, AND HALLOW IT FROM THE UNCLEANNESS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:20] AND WHEN HE HATH MADE AN END OF RECONCILING THE HOLY PLACE, AND THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND THE ALTAR, HE SHALL BRING THE LIVE GOAT:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:21] AND AARON SHALL LAY BOTH HIS HANDS UPON THE HEAD OF THE LIVE GOAT, AND CONFESS OVER HIM ALL THE INIQUITIES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND ALL THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS IN ALL THEIR SINS,  PUTTING THEM UPON THE HEAD OF THE GOAT, AND SHALL SEND HIM AWAY BY THE HAND OF A FIT MAN INTO THE WILDERNESS:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:22] AND THE GOAT SHALL BEAR UPON HIM ALL THEIR INIQUITIES UNTO A LAND NOT INHABITED: AND HE SHALL LET GO THE GOAT IN THE WILDERNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:23] AND AARON SHALL COME INTO THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND SHALL PUT OFF THE LINEN GARMENTS, WHICH HE PUT ON WHEN HE WENT INTO THE HOLY PLACE, AND SHALL LEAVE THEM THERE:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:24] AND HE SHALL WASH HIS FLESH WITH WATER IN THE HOLY PLACE, AND PUT ON HIS GARMENTS,  AND COME FORTH, AND OFFER HIS BURNT OFFERING, AND THE BURNT OFFERING OF THE PEOPLE, AND MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR HIMSELF, AND FOR THE PEOPLE.                     
 
s.2
[Leviticus 16:25] AND THE FAT OF THE SIN OFFERING SHALL HE BURN UPON THE ALTAR.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:26] AND HE THAT LET GO THE GOAT FOR THE SCAPEGOAT SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND BATHE HIS FLESH IN WATER, AND AFTERWARD COME INTO THE CAMP.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:27] AND THE BULLOCK FOR THE SIN OFFERING, AND THE GOAT FOR THE SIN OFFERING, WHOSE BLOOD  WAS BROUGHT IN TO MAKE ATONEMENT IN THE HOLY PLACE, SHALL ONE CARRY FORTH WITHOUT THE CAMP; AND THEY SHALL BURN IN THE FIRE THEIR SKINS, AND THEIR FLESH, AND THEIR DUNG.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:28] AND HE THAT BURNETH THEM SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND BATHE HIS FLESH IN WATER, AND AFTERWARD HE SHALL COME INTO THE CAMP.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:29] AND THIS SHALL BE A STATUTE FOR EVER UNTO YOU: THAT IN THE SEVENTH MONTH, ON THE TENTH DAY OF THE MONTH, YE SHALL AFFLICT YOUR SOULS, AND DO NO WORK AT ALL, WHETHER IT BE ONE OF YOUR  OWN COUNTRY, OR A STRANGER THAT SOJOURNETH AMONG YOU:
This was the day of Atonement. On this day it is forbidden to eat or drink and do other things.                    
 
[Leviticus 16:30] FOR ON THAT DAY SHALL THE PRIEST MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR YOU, TO CLEANSE YOU, THAT YE MAY BE CLEAN FROM ALL YOUR SINS BEFORE THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:31] IT SHALL BE A SABBATH OF REST UNTO YOU, AND YE SHALL AFFLICT YOUR SOULS, BY A STATUTE  FOR EVER.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:32] AND THE PRIEST, WHOM HE SHALL ANOINT, AND WHOM HE SHALL CONSECRATE TO MINISTER IN THE PRIEST'S OFFICE IN HIS FATHER'S STEAD, SHALL MAKE THE ATONEMENT, AND SHALL PUT ON THE LINEN CLOTHES, EVEN THE HOLY GARMENTS:                     
 
[Leviticus 16:33] AND HE SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THE HOLY SANCTUARY, AND HE SHALL MAKE AN  ATONEMENT FOR THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND FOR THE ALTAR, AND HE SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THE PRIESTS, AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE CONGREGATION.                     
 
[Leviticus 16:34] AND THIS SHALL BE AN EVERLASTING STATUTE UNTO YOU, TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FOR ALL THEIR SINS ONCE A YEAR. AND HE DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,                     
 
[Leviticus 17:2] SPEAK UNTO AARON, AND UNTO HIS SONS, AND UNTO ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM; THIS IS THE THING WHICH THE LORD HATH COMMANDED, SAYING,                     
 
[Leviticus 17:3] WHAT MAN SOEVER THERE BE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, THAT KILLETH AN OX, OR LAMB, OR GOAT, IN THE CAMP, OR THAT KILLETH IT OUT OF THE CAMP,                     
 
[Leviticus 17:4] AND BRINGETH IT NOT UNTO THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO OFFER AN  OFFERING UNTO THE LORD BEFORE THE TABERNACLE OF THE LORD; BLOOD SHALL BE IMPUTED UNTO THAT MAN; HE HATH SHED BLOOD; AND THAT MAN SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE:                     
 
[Leviticus 17:5] TO THE END THAT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL MAY BRING THEIR SACRIFICES, WHICH THEY OFFER IN THE OPEN FIELD, EVEN THAT THEY MAY BRING THEM UNTO THE LORD, UNTO THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, UNTO THE PRIEST, AND OFFER THEM FOR PEACE OFFERINGS UNTO THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:6] AND THE PRIEST SHALL SPRINKLE THE BLOOD UPON THE ALTAR OF THE LORD AT THE DOOR OF  THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND BURN THE FAT FOR A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:7] AND THEY SHALL NO MORE OFFER THEIR SACRIFICES UNTO DEVILS, AFTER WHOM THEY HAVE GONE  A WHORING. THIS SHALL BE A STATUTE FOR EVER UNTO THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR GENERATIONS.
They were forbidden to offer sacrifices outside of the Temple. Any sacrifice that was offered outside of the Temple would be considered as if it had been offered up to demons.                    
 
s.3
[Leviticus 17:8] AND THOU SHALT SAY UNTO THEM, WHATSOEVER MAN THERE BE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, OR OF THE STRANGERS WHICH SOJOURN AMONG YOU, THAT OFFERETH A BURNT OFFERING OR SACRIFICE,                     
 
[Leviticus 17:9] AND BRINGETH IT NOT UNTO THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, TO OFFER IT UNTO THE LORD; EVEN THAT MAN SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:10] AND WHATSOEVER MAN THERE BE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, OR OF THE STRANGERS THAT  SOJOURN AMONG YOU, THAT EATETH ANY MANNER OF BLOOD; I WILL EVEN SET MY FACE AGAINST THAT SOUL THAT EATETH BLOOD, AND WILL CUT HIM OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:11] FOR THE LIFE OF THE FLESH IS IN THE BLOOD: AND I HAVE GIVEN IT TO YOU UPON THE ALTAR TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR YOUR SOULS: FOR IT IS THE BLOOD THAT MAKETH AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:12] THEREFORE I SAID UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, NO SOUL OF YOU SHALL EAT BLOOD, NEITHER  SHALL ANY STRANGER THAT SOJOURNETH AMONG YOU EAT BLOOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:13] AND WHATSOEVER MAN THERE BE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, OR OF THE STRANGERS THAT  SOJOURN AMONG YOU, WHICH HUNTETH AND CATCHETH ANY BEAST OR FOWL THAT MAY BE EATEN; HE SHALL  EVEN POUR OUT THE BLOOD THEREOF, AND COVER IT WITH DUST.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:14] FOR IT IS THE LIFE OF ALL FLESH; THE BLOOD OF IT IS FOR THE LIFE THEREOF: THEREFORE I SAID UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, YE SHALL EAT THE BLOOD OF NO MANNER OF FLESH: FOR THE LIFE OF ALL FLESH IS  THE BLOOD THEREOF: WHOSOEVER EATETH IT SHALL BE CUT OFF.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:15] AND EVERY SOUL THAT EATETH THAT WHICH DIED OF ITSELF, OR THAT WHICH WAS TORN WITH  BEASTS, WHETHER IT BE ONE OF YOUR OWN COUNTRY, OR A STRANGER, HE SHALL BOTH WASH HIS CLOTHES, AND                      BATHE HIMSELF IN WATER, AND BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN: THEN SHALL HE BE CLEAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 17:16] BUT IF HE WASH THEM NOT, NOR BATHE HIS FLESH; THEN HE SHALL BEAR HIS INIQUITY.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,                     
 
[Leviticus 18:2] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM, I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:3] AFTER THE DOINGS OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, WHEREIN YE DWELT, SHALL YE NOT DO: AND AFTER THE DOINGS OF THE LAND OF CANAAN, WHITHER I BRING YOU, SHALL YE NOT DO: NEITHER SHALL YE WALK IN  THEIR ORDINANCES.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:4] YE SHALL DO MY JUDGMENTS, AND KEEP MINE ORDINANCES, TO WALK THEREIN: I AM THE  LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:5] YE SHALL THEREFORE KEEP MY STATUTES, AND MY JUDGMENTS: WHICH IF A MAN DO, HE SHALL LIVE IN THEM: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:6] NONE OF YOU SHALL APPROACH TO ANY THAT IS NEAR OF KIN TO HIM, TO UNCOVER THEIR NAKEDNESS: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:7] THE NAKEDNESS OF THY FATHER, OR THE NAKEDNESS OF THY MOTHER, SHALT THOU NOT UNCOVER: SHE IS THY MOTHER; THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:8] THE NAKEDNESS OF THY FATHER'S WIFE SHALT THOU NOT UNCOVER: IT IS THY FATHER'S  NAKEDNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:9] THE NAKEDNESS OF THY SISTER, THE DAUGHTER OF THY FATHER, OR DAUGHTER OF THY MOTHER, WHETHER SHE BE BORN AT HOME, OR BORN ABROAD, EVEN THEIR NAKEDNESS THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:10] THE NAKEDNESS OF THY SON'S DAUGHTER, OR OF THY DAUGHTER'S DAUGHTER, EVEN THEIR NAKEDNESS THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER: FOR THEIRS IS THINE OWN NAKEDNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:11] THE NAKEDNESS OF THY FATHER'S WIFE'S DAUGHTER, BEGOTTEN OF THY FATHER, SHE IS THY SISTER, THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:12] THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF THY FATHER'S SISTER: SHE IS THY FATHER'S NEAR KINSWOMAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:13] THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF THY MOTHER'S SISTER: FOR SHE IS THY MOTHER'S NEAR KINSWOMAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:14] THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF THY FATHER'S BROTHER, THOU SHALT NOT  APPROACH TO HIS WIFE: SHE IS THINE AUNT.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:15] THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF THY DAUGHTER IN LAW: SHE IS THY SON'S WIFE; THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:16] THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF THY BROTHER'S WIFE: IT IS THY BROTHER'S NAKEDNESS. 
These laws apply even after the couples have separated, e.g. if your uncle married a woman and then divorced her or died the woman would still be forbidden to you.                   
 
[Leviticus 18:17] THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF A WOMAN AND HER DAUGHTER, NEITHER SHALT THOU TAKE HER SON'S DAUGHTER, OR HER DAUGHTER'S DAUGHTER, TO UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS; FOR THEY ARE HER NEAR KINSWOMEN: IT IS WICKEDNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:18] NEITHER SHALT THOU TAKE A WIFE TO HER SISTER, TO VEX HER, TO UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS, BESIDE THE OTHER IN HER LIFE TIME.
One is forbidden to marry two sisters. How then did Jacob marry both Rachel and Leah who were sisters? The answer is that before the Torah was given different laws applied.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:19] ALSO THOU SHALT NOT APPROACH UNTO A WOMAN TO UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS, AS LONG AS SHE IS PUT APART FOR HER UNCLEANNESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:20] MOREOVER THOU SHALT NOT LIE CARNALLY WITH THY NEIGHBOUR'S WIFE, TO DEFILE THYSELF WITH HER.
You should NOT have intercourse with the woman of another man.
Jews cannot go with the woman of another Jews unless she is legally divorced.
Non-Jews  can go with the woman of another non-Jew if they are separated.
They may not have to necessarily get officially divorced though if their community or the law requires it then they should do what is expected of them.   
               
 
[Leviticus 18:21] AND THOU SHALT NOT LET ANY OF THY SEED PASS THROUGH THE FIRE TO MOLECH, NEITHER SHALT THOU PROFANE THE NAME OF THY GOD: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:22] THOU SHALT NOT LIE WITH MANKIND, AS WITH WOMANKIND: IT IS ABOMINATION.
Homosexuality is forbidden. It is a serious offence. It is also unnecessary. Laws permitting homosexuality are evil laws to be resisted. 
 
s.4
[Leviticus 18:23] NEITHER SHALT THOU LIE WITH ANY BEAST TO DEFILE THYSELF THEREWITH: NEITHER SHALL ANYWOMAN STAND BEFORE A BEAST TO LIE DOWN THERETO: IT IS CONFUSION.
Many homosexuals according to reports also commit bestiality.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:24] DEFILE NOT YE YOURSELVES IN ANY OF THESE THINGS: FOR IN ALL THESE THE NATIONS ARE DEFILED WHICH I CAST OUT BEFORE YOU:                     
 
[Leviticus 18:25] AND THE LAND IS DEFILED: THEREFORE I DO VISIT THE INIQUITY THEREOF UPON IT, AND THE LAND   ITSELF VOMITETH OUT HER INHABITANTS.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:26] YE SHALL THEREFORE KEEP MY STATUTES AND MY JUDGMENTS, AND SHALL NOT COMMIT ANY OF THESE ABOMINATIONS; NEITHER ANY OF YOUR OWN NATION, NOR ANY STRANGER THAT SOJOURNETH AMONG YOU:                     
 
[Leviticus 18:27] (FOR ALL THESE ABOMINATIONS HAVE THE MEN OF THE LAND DONE, WHICH WERE BEFORE YOU, AND THE LAND IS DEFILED;)                     
 
[Leviticus 18:28] THAT THE LAND SPUE NOT YOU OUT ALSO, WHEN YE DEFILE IT, AS IT SPUED OUT THE NATIONS THAT WERE BEFORE YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:29] FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL COMMIT ANY OF THESE ABOMINATIONS, EVEN THE SOULS THAT COMMIT THEM SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG THEIR PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 18:30] THEREFORE SHALL YE KEEP MINE ORDINANCE, THAT YE COMMIT NOT ANY ONE OF THESE ABOMINABLE CUSTOMS, WHICH WERE COMMITTED BEFORE YOU, AND THAT YE DEFILE NOT YOURSELVES THEREIN: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
Kedoshim
[Leviticus 19:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,                     
 
[Leviticus 19:2] SPEAK UNTO ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM, YE SHALL BE HOLY: FOR I THE LORD YOUR GOD AM HOLY.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:3] YE SHALL FEAR EVERY MAN HIS MOTHER, AND HIS FATHER, AND KEEP MY SABBATHS: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:4] TURN YE NOT UNTO IDOLS, NOR MAKE TO YOURSELVES MOLTEN GODS: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:5] AND IF YE OFFER A SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERINGS UNTO THE LORD, YE SHALL OFFER IT AT YOUR OWN WILL.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:6] IT SHALL BE EATEN THE SAME DAY YE OFFER IT, AND ON THE MORROW: AND IF OUGHT REMAIN UNTIL THE THIRD DAY, IT SHALL BE BURNT IN THE FIRE.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:7] AND IF IT BE EATEN AT ALL ON THE THIRD DAY, IT IS ABOMINABLE; IT SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:8] THEREFORE EVERY ONE THAT EATETH IT SHALL BEAR HIS INIQUITY, BECAUSE HE HATH PROFANED THE HALLOWED THING OF THE LORD: AND THAT SOUL SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:9] AND WHEN YE REAP THE HARVEST OF YOUR LAND, THOU SHALT NOT WHOLLY REAP THE CORNERS OF THY FIELD, NEITHER SHALT THOU GATHER THE GLEANINGS OF THY HARVEST.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:10] AND THOU SHALT NOT GLEAN THY VINEYARD, NEITHER SHALT THOU GATHER EVERY GRAPE OF THY  VINEYARD; THOU SHALT LEAVE THEM FOR THE POOR AND STRANGER: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:11] YE SHALL NOT STEAL, NEITHER DEAL FALSELY, NEITHER LIE ONE TO ANOTHER.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:12] AND YE SHALL NOT SWEAR BY MY NAME FALSELY, NEITHER SHALT THOU PROFANE THE NAME OF THY GOD: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:13] THOU SHALT NOT DEFRAUD THY NEIGHBOUR, NEITHER ROB HIM: THE WAGES OF HIM THAT IS HIRED SHALL NOT ABIDE WITH THEE ALL NIGHT UNTIL THE MORNING.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:14] THOU SHALT NOT CURSE THE DEAF, NOR PUT A STUMBLINGBLOCK BEFORE THE BLIND, BUT SHALT FEAR THY GOD: I AM THE LORD. 
We are forbidden to deliberately mislead other people.                   
 
s.5
 [Leviticus 19:15] YE SHALL DO NO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN JUDGMENT: THOU SHALT NOT RESPECT THE PERSON OF THE POOR, NOR HONOR THE PERSON OF THE MIGHTY: BUT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALT THOU JUDGE THY NEIGHBOUR.
Everyone, rich and poor, is to be treated equally by the courts and rulers.                    
 
[Leviticus 19:16] THOU SHALT NOT GO UP AND DOWN AS A TALEBEARER AMONG THY PEOPLE: NEITHER SHAL THOU STAND AGAINST THE BLOOD OF THY NEIGHBOUR; I AM THE LORD.
You are forbidden to tell tales about others.
If you see someone in danger you are commanded to do what you can to help them.        
            
 
 [Leviticus 19:17] THOU SHALT NOT HATE THY BROTHER IN THINE HEART: THOU SHALT IN ANY WISE REBUKE THY NEIGHBOUR, AND NOT SUFFER SIN UPON HIM. 
If you have something against someone else say it to them up front. Do not hide it. These laws apply to someone who is your "brother" being a fellow Israelite and sharing the same values.
Regarding foreigners who are antagonistic to you on racial grounds different laws apply.
If the foreigner however "dwells amongst you" and accepts your values and identifies with you then he must receive equal treatment. 
                  
 
[Leviticus 19:18] THOU SHALT NOT AVENGE, NOR BEAR ANY GRUDGE AGAINST THE CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE, BUT THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:19] YE SHALL KEEP MY STATUTES. THOU SHALT NOT LET THY CATTLE GENDER WITH A DIVERSE KIND: THOU SHALT NOT SOW THY FIELD WITH MINGLED SEED: NEITHER SHALL A GARMENT MINGLED OF LINEN AND WOOLLEN COME UPON THEE.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:20] AND WHOSOEVER LIETH CARNALLY WITH A WOMAN, THAT IS A BONDMAID, BETROTHED TO AN  HUSBAND, AND NOT AT ALL REDEEMED, NOR FREEDOM GIVEN HER; SHE SHALL BE SCOURGED; THEY SHALL NOT BE PUT TO DEATH, BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT FREE.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:21] AND HE SHALL BRING HIS TRESPASS OFFERING UNTO THE LORD, UNTO THE DOOR OF THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, EVEN A RAM FOR A TRESPASS OFFERING.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:22] AND THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR HIM WITH THE RAM OF THE TRESPASS OFFERING BEFORE THE LORD FOR HIS SIN WHICH HE HATH DONE: AND THE SIN WHICH HE HATH DONE SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:23] AND WHEN YE SHALL COME INTO THE LAND, AND SHALL HAVE PLANTED ALL MANNER OF TREES  FOR FOOD, THEN YE SHALL COUNT THE FRUIT THEREOF AS UNCIRCUMCISED: THREE YEARS SHALL IT BE AS UNCIRCUMCISED UNTO YOU: IT SHALL NOT BE EATEN OF.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:24] BUT IN THE FOURTH YEAR ALL THE FRUIT THEREOF SHALL BE HOLY TO PRAISE THE LORD WITHAL.
The fruit of the fourth year had the same sanctity as fruit of the second tithe. The fruit had to be either taken up to Jerusalem at festival time and eaten there or it had to be redeemed for money and the money used to buy sanctified fruit in Jerusalem.
The Sages pointed out that in an agricultural community where the main means of livelihood was through farming it would pay for each family to support one of their member to permanently live in Jerusalem and learn Torah.        
             
 
[Leviticus 19:25] AND IN THE FIFTH YEAR SHALL YE EAT OF THE FRUIT THEREOF, THAT IT MAY YIELD UNTO YOU THE INCREASE THEREOF: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:26] YE SHALL NOT EAT ANY THING WITH THE BLOOD: NEITHER SHALL YE USE ENCHANTMENT, NOR  OBSERVE TIMES.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:27] YE SHALL NOT ROUND THE CORNERS OF YOUR HEADS, NEITHER SHALT THOU MAR THE CORNERS OF THY BEARD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:28] YE SHALL NOT MAKE ANY CUTTINGS IN YOUR FLESH FOR THE DEAD, NOR PRINT ANY MARKS UPON YOU: I AM THE LORD.
Tattoos are forbidden.                    
 
[Leviticus 19:29] DO NOT PROSTITUTE THY DAUGHTER, TO CAUSE HER TO BE A WHORE; LEST THE LAND FALL TO WHOREDOM, AND THE LAND BECOME FULL OF WICKEDNESS.
Promiscuity is forbidden to Israelites who are bound by the Torah Law.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:30] YE SHALL KEEP MY SABBATHS, AND REVERENCE MY SANCTUARY: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:31] REGARD NOT THEM THAT HAVE FAMILIAR SPIRITS, NEITHER SEEK AFTER WIZARDS, TO BE DEFILED  BY THEM: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:32] THOU SHALT RISE UP BEFORE THE HOARY HEAD, AND HONOUR THE FACE OF THE OLD MAN, AND FEAR THY GOD: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
s.6
[Leviticus 19:33] AND IF A STRANGER SOJOURN WITH THEE IN YOUR LAND, YE SHALL NOT VEX HIM.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:34] BUT THE STRANGER THAT DWELLETH WITH YOU SHALL BE UNTO YOU AS ONE BORN AMONG YOU,  AND THOU SHALT LOVE HIM AS THYSELF; FOR YE WERE STRANGERS IN THE LAND OF EGYPT: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.
The foreigner who dwells amongst us and accepts our values must be treated the same as us.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:35] YE SHALL DO NO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN JUDGMENT, IN METEYARD, IN WEIGHT, OR IN MEASURE.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:36] JUST BALANCES, JUST WEIGHTS, A JUST EPHAH, AND A JUST HIN, SHALL YE HAVE: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHICH BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT.                     
 
[Leviticus 19:37] THEREFORE SHALL YE OBSERVE ALL MY STATUTES, AND ALL MY JUDGMENTS, AND DO THEM: I AM THE LORD.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,                     
 
[Leviticus 20:2] AGAIN, THOU SHALT SAY TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHOSOEVER HE BE OF THE CHILDREN OF  ISRAEL, OR OF THE STRANGERS THAT SOJOURN IN ISRAEL, THAT GIVETH ANY OF HIS SEED UNTO MOLECH; HE SHALL  SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH: THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND SHALL STONE HIM WITH STONES.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:3] AND I WILL SET MY FACE AGAINST THAT MAN, AND WILL CUT HIM OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE; BECAUSE HE HATH GIVEN OF HIS SEED UNTO MOLECH, TO DEFILE MY SANCTUARY, AND TO PROFANE MY HOLY NAME.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:4] AND IF THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND DO ANY WAYS HIDE THEIR EYES FROM THE MAN, WHEN HE  GIVETH OF HIS SEED UNTO MOLECH, AND KILL HIM NOT:                     
 
[Leviticus 20:5] THEN I WILL SET MY FACE AGAINST THAT MAN, AND AGAINST HIS FAMILY, AND WILL CUT HIM OFF,  AND ALL THAT GO A WHORING AFTER HIM, TO COMMIT WHOREDOM WITH MOLECH, FROM AMONG THEIR PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:6] AND THE SOUL THAT TURNETH AFTER SUCH AS HAVE FAMILIAR SPIRITS, AND AFTER WIZARDS, TO GO  A WHORING AFTER THEM, I WILL EVEN SET MY FACE AGAINST THAT SOUL, AND WILL CUT HIM OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:7] SANCTIFY YOURSELVES THEREFORE, AND BE YE HOLY: FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.
We have to actively strive to be sanctified and not just lay back and assume it will happen on its own.                    
 
s.7
[Leviticus 20:8] AND YE SHALL KEEP MY STATUTES, AND DO THEM: I AM THE LORD WHICH SANCTIFY YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:9] FOR EVERY ONE THAT CURSETH HIS FATHER OR HIS MOTHER SHALL BE SURELY PUT TO DEATH: HE  HATH CURSED HIS FATHER OR HIS MOTHER; HIS BLOOD SHALL BE UPON HIM.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:10] AND THE MAN THAT COMMITTETH ADULTERY WITH ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE, EVEN HE THAT COMMITTETH ADULTERY WITH HIS NEIGHBOUR'S WIFE, THE ADULTERER AND THE ADULTERESS SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH.
These laws are repeating those already given above in Leviticus chapter 18.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:11] AND THE MAN THAT LIETH WITH HIS FATHER'S WIFE HATH UNCOVERED HIS FATHER'S NAKEDNESS: BOTH OF THEM SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH; THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE UPON THEM.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:12] AND IF A MAN LIE WITH HIS DAUGHTER IN LAW, BOTH OF THEM SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH: THEY HAVE WROUGHT CONFUSION; THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE UPON THEM.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:13] IF A MAN ALSO LIE WITH MANKIND, AS HE LIETH WITH A WOMAN, BOTH OF THEM HAVE  COMMITTED AN ABOMINATION: THEY SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH; THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE UPON THEM.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:14] AND IF A MAN TAKE A WIFE AND HER MOTHER, IT IS WICKEDNESS: THEY SHALL BE BURNT WITH FIRE, BOTH HE AND THEY; THAT THERE BE NO WICKEDNESS AMONG YOU.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:15] AND IF A MAN LIE WITH A BEAST, HE SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH: AND YE SHALL SLAY THE BEAST.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:16] AND IF A WOMAN APPROACH UNTO ANY BEAST, AND LIE DOWN THERETO, THOU SHALT KILL THE WOMAN, AND THE BEAST: THEY SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH; THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE UPON THEM.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:17] AND IF A MAN SHALL TAKE HIS SISTER, HIS FATHER'S DAUGHTER, OR HIS MOTHER'S DAUGHTER, AND SEE HER NAKEDNESS, AND SHE SEE HIS NAKEDNESS; IT IS A WICKED THING; AND THEY SHALL BE CUT OFF IN THE SIGHT OF THEIR PEOPLE: HE HATH UNCOVERED HIS SISTER'S NAKEDNESS; HE SHALL BEAR HIS INIQUITY.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:18] AND IF A MAN SHALL LIE WITH A WOMAN HAVING HER SICKNESS, AND SHALL UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS; HE HATH DISCOVERED HER FOUNTAIN, AND SHE HATH UNCOVERED THE FOUNTAIN OF HER BLOOD: AND BOTH OF THEM SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG THEIR PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:19] AND THOU SHALT NOT UNCOVER THE NAKEDNESS OF THY MOTHER'S SISTER, NOR OF THY FATHER'S SISTER: FOR HE UNCOVERETH HIS NEAR KIN: THEY SHALL BEAR THEIR INIQUITY.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:20] AND IF A MAN SHALL LIE WITH HIS UNCLE'S WIFE, HE HATH UNCOVERED HIS UNCLE'S NAKEDNESS: THEY SHALL BEAR THEIR SIN; THEY SHALL DIE CHILDLESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:21] AND IF A MAN SHALL TAKE HIS BROTHER'S WIFE, IT IS AN UNCLEAN THING: HE HATH UNCOVERED HIS BROTHER'S NAKEDNESS; THEY SHALL BE CHILDLESS.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:22] YE SHALL THEREFORE KEEP ALL MY STATUTES, AND ALL MY JUDGMENTS, AND DO THEM: THAT THE LAND, WHITHER I BRING YOU TO DWELL THEREIN, SPUE YOU NOT OUT.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:23] AND YE SHALL NOT WALK IN THE MANNERS OF THE NATION, WHICH I CAST OUT BEFORE YOU: FOR THEY COMMITTED ALL THESE THINGS, AND THEREFORE I ABHORRED THEM.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:24] BUT I HAVE SAID UNTO YOU, YE SHALL INHERIT THEIR LAND, AND I WILL GIVE IT UNTO YOU TO POSSESS IT, A LAND THAT FLOWETH WITH MILK AND HONEY: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHICH HAVE SEPARATED YOU FROM OTHER PEOPLE.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:25] YE SHALL THEREFORE PUT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLEAN BEASTS AND UNCLEAN, AND BETWEEN UNCLEAN FOWLS AND CLEAN: AND YE SHALL NOT MAKE YOUR SOULS ABOMINABLE BY BEAST, OR BY FOWL, OR BY ANY MANNER OF LIVING THING THAT CREEPETH ON THE GROUND, WHICH I HAVE SEPARATED FROM YOU AS  UNCLEAN.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:26] AND YE SHALL BE HOLY UNTO ME: FOR I THE LORD AM HOLY, AND HAVE SEVERED YOU FROM OTHER PEOPLE, THAT YE SHOULD BE MINE.                     
 
[Leviticus 20:27] A MAN ALSO OR WOMAN THAT HATH A FAMILIAR SPIRIT, OR THAT IS A WIZARD, SHALL SURELY BE  PUT TO DEATH: THEY SHALL STONE THEM WITH STONES: THEIR BLOOD SHALL BE UPON THEM. 
Israelites were commanded to keep themselves apart from other peoples. The Israelites had strict laws concerning sexual intercourse, food stuffs, and avoiding pagan idolatry and superstition.


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