(1) יהוה spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they drew too close to the presence of יהוה. (2) יהוה said to Moses: Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come at will into the Shrine behind the curtain, in front of the cover that is upon the ark, lest he die; for I appear in the cloud over the cover. (3) Thus only shall Aaron enter the Shrine: with a bull of the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.— (4) He shall be dressed in a sacral linen tunic, with linen breeches next to his flesh, and be girt with a linen sash, and he shall wear a linen turban. They are sacral vestments; he shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.— (5) And from the Israelite community he shall take two he-goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.

(1) The High Priest came to read the Torah. If he wished to read the Torah while still dressed in the fine linen garments, i.e., the priestly vestments he wore during the previous service, he may read wearing them; and if not he is permitted to read in a white robe of his own, which is not a priestly vestment. The synagogue attendant takes a Torah scroll and gives it to the head of the synagogue that stood on the Temple Mount; and the head of the synagogue gives it to the deputy High Priest, and the Deputy gives it to the High Priest, and the High Priest stands and receives the scroll from his hands. And he reads from the scroll the Torah portion beginning with the verse: “After the death” (Leviticus 16:1) and the portion beginning with the verse: “But on the tenth” (Leviticus 23:26), and furls the Torah scroll and places it on his bosom and says: More than what I have read before you is written here.

When he put on robes of honour; And clothed himself with robes of beauty.When he ascended the altar of majesty; And made glorious the precinct of the sanctuary.

Source of all energy and power! Who could possibly duplicate Your mighty works? You constructed chambers above the cold waters, and placed the globe in space. When the world was filled with total darkness You wrapped yourself in Your garment, radiating with morning light. You divided the impetuous waters with an awesome, crystal-like sky; and gathered them into the depths so they would not cover the dry land. You uncovered the surface of the earth, and brought forth vegetation. You planted a garden in the East for those who praise you. Great luminaries You placed in the sky along with host of stars and constellations; which You commanded [to illuminate the world]. An abundance of swimming creatures [fish] and flying creatures [birds etc.] You created from the palm of Your hand; and the Leviathan which You reserved for the feast of Torah scholars. The congealed ground brought forth insects and animals; the wild-ox dwelling in swamps and reeds You reserved for the meal of the righteous. You prepared food and drink even before there was anyone to feast. You then formed man from clay in the likeness of Your image and breathed into him a pure soul from your “Zevul.” You caused him to sleep, and from his side You fashioned a helpmate for him. You commanded him not to eat from the tree of knowledge. He foolishly violated Your command, because he was enticed by the snake. He was punished that only by the sweat of his brow would he gain his sustenance. Woman [was punished] with painful childbirth and the cunning [snake] would forever eat dirt. You congealed his [Adam's] seed in the womb of she [Eve] who desired him. She became pregnant and gave birth to a farmer and a shepherd. They brought You a sacrifice and a gift. You were angered with that of the oldest, but pleased with the offering of the youngest. Without mercy, he [Cain] killed Abel He pleaded for Your forgiveness, and You set a saving mark upon him. At the third generation of man, people began to worship You through idols. The dreaded flood waters, You summoned, and they were drowned and destroyed. An arrogant generation erred and dared tell You to go away. They were tossed about by the boiling water; they were burned and scalded. Noah, who was commanded to build an ark, an ark of gopher-wood, was delivered when You enclosed him within. His sons, You made fruitful and they filled the face of the earth. A united people conspired to build a tower unto the heavens. They were entrapped by their evil action, and were scattered about the earth as if by a violent wind. Your loved one [Avraham] who came “across the river,” made famous Your Name in the world. The son of his old age, [Yitzchak] he offered to You in sacrifice. Like a perfect, unblemished lamb Yaakov was chosen; he who was without blemish. He desired to sit in tents and followed you. Righteous children You brought forth from him, all of whom stayed true to their heritage, none ever deviating. To serve You, You desired Levi, Your pious one. From his tribe, You chose one [Aharon] to be Your holiest; to wear the holy mitre and the Urim VeTumim, and to dwell inside the Tabernacle for seven days. Upholders of the Jewish faith, [The Sanhedrin], a week before the tenth day [of Tishrei], secluded the High Priest as was done in the seven days after the completion of the Mishkan. They sprinkled upon him water mixed with the ashes of red heifers in order to purify him. [Each of the seven days] he sprinkled the blood of the daily sacrifices, burned the incense [upon the golden altar in the Sanctuary,] and cleaned away the ashes, [from the wicks of the Menorah], [he did these things] to acquaint himself with the daily service. As it was written in Your Torah: As it was done on this day, Adonoy commanded that it be done to atone for you.