PARSHAS ACHAREI אחרי SELECTIONS
Service for the Bais haMikdash
ויקרא טז ,ג: בְזֹאת
Baal HaTurim: The Gematria of the word בזאת equals 410 which alludes to the 410 years that the first Bais HaMikdash stood.
The verse says that Aharon is to enter the Sanctuary with two animal offerings. The verse should say באלה “with these”. The use of the word בזאת alludes to the fact that Kohanim Gedolim (Aharon’s decedents) would also perform this service in the 410 years that the Bais HaMikdash stood.
The verse is not implying that the prohibition (of entering the Holy of Holies except on Yom Kippur) would only apply during the first Bais HaMikdash. Rather, the verse implies that the eighteen Kohanim that succeeded Aharon as Kohen Gadol were all righteous and followed the law properly. Thus, Aharon is considered as if he came into the Holy of Holies during that entire 410 year period.
The Four Linen Garments
ויקרא טז ,ד: וּלְבֵּשָם
Baal HaTurim: The letters of the word ולבשם can be rearranged to form the words בלו שם (they were worn out there). Once the Kohen Gadol worn them (the four linen garments to enter the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur) then they were stored away in Genizah (not to be used again).
The four linen garments listed in the verse for the Kohen Gadol to use to enter the Holy of Holies twice on Yom Kippur were the same four garments worn regularly by all the Kohanim during the year to do the avodah in the Bais HaMikdash. In verse 23 the phrase והניחם שם (and he shall leave them there) prohibits the Kohen Gadol from wearing these same four linen garments on another Yom Kippur (and certainly not to be worn by the Kohen Gadol during the year). According to one Tanna the prohibition only extends to the Kohen Gadol, but other Kohanim may use these garments to perform the services during the year. However, the Baal haTurim alludes to the other opinion that these garments are put away and not worn by anyone again (not by the Kohen Gadol on another Yom Kippur, and not by any Kohen during the year).
Seven Sprinklings
ויקרא טז, יד: וְלִפְנֵּי הַכַפֹרֶת יַזֶה שֶבַע־פְעָמִים
Baal HaTurim: Why does the Kohen Gadol sprinkle once upward and seven times downwards? Because it is sufficient for the lower realms to be one-seventh of the upper realms (that which requires seven motions on the Earth is accomplished in one motion in the Heavens).
Similarly, Dovid haMelech mentions הלל (praise) seven times in Tehillim 148 in the section beginning with “Praise HaShem from the heavens” but only once in the section “Praise HaShem from the Earth.”
Similarly, Moshe Rabeinu does not mention the name of HaShem in the song of “HaAzinu” until after he has already said twenty-one words. As if Moshe was saying it is sufficient that I (on Earth) should be like one-seventh of the angels who mention the name of HaShem after three words (the angels say “Holy, Holy, Holy” before mentioning HaShem; thus, Moshe said seven times as many words).
