The Death of Tzaddikim Reminds Us of the Atonement of Yom Kippur

In Parashas Vayeilech, Moshe Rabbeinu informs Klal Yisrael that he is about to take leave of the world. Chazal teach that “the death of tzaddikim (the righteous) is an atonement”. This was said regarding Miriam’s death as well, which atoned for the generation then. It was also said regarding the deaths of Nadav and Avihu.

On Yom Kippur, the Torah reading is about the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, and this is to remind us that just as the death of the tzaddikim is an atonement, so is Yom Kippur an atonement.