Acharei Mot: Triple Measure of Incense
A Cloud in the Holy of Holies
The High Priest was only permitted to enter the inner sanctuary of the Temple on one day of the year — on Yom Kippur.
“Speak to your brother Aaron, that he may not enter the sanctuary within the partition at any time... so that he may not die, for I appear over the Ark cover in a cloud.” (Lev. 16:2)
What exactly was this cloud inside the Holy of Holies? In Yoma 53a, the Talmud explains that this was a cloud of incense smoke. The ketoret (incense) played a central role in the special service of Yom Kippur. Only after burning the ketoret inside the Holy of Holies was the High Priest allowed to enter, as it says:
“Then he shall take a fire pan full of burning coals... together with both hands’ full of finely pulverized incense... so that the cloud from the incense will envelope the Ark cover.” (Lev. 16:12-13)
What is this special connection between the ketoret and the Yom Kippur service? And why did it need to be finely pulverized to a greater degree than the incense that was offered on other days?
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