Jewish Life Digital Edition September 2015 | Page 88

YOM KIPPUR 5776

Don’t get tripped up by this popular
misconception I BY RABBI DR ARI ZIVOTOFSKY
MISCONCEPTION: The Gemara relates
that on Yom Kippur, when the Kohen
Gadol entered the Kodesh Hakodashim
(Holy of Holies) in the Beit Hamikdash
(Temple), a rope was tied to his ankle so
that in case he died, there would be a way
to extricate his body.
FACT: While there was a real concern
about the Kohen Gadol’s survival, there is
no reference to this practice in the Mishnah, Talmud or Midrash. The Zohar does,

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however, state that a gold chain was tied
to the Kohen Gadol’s ankle, but other
sources, both halachic and Aggadic, could
cause one to question this claim.
BACKGROUND: When the Beit Hamikdash was in existence, the highlight of the
Yom Kippur service was the Kohen Gadol’s
Avodah in the Kodesh Hakodashim. Twice
during this exalted day, the Kohen Gadol
would remove the eight priestly garments
he wore during his service in the Beit

Hamikdash all year long, immerse in a
mikvah and don the four special white linen garments that were used only on Yom
Kippur to enter the Kodesh Hakodashim.
The rituals surrounding this entry, which
are detailed in the Torah (Vayikra 16) and
elaborated on by Chazal, had to be followed precisely. The slightest deviation
could cost the Kohen Gadol his life (Vayikra 16:2). Indeed, many Kohanim Gedolim
died during the Yom Kippur service (Yoma
5:1 [52b] with Rambam’s commentary;
Tiferet Yisrael, Yoma, Yachin 22).
Owing to the danger, the Mishnah
states that the Kohen Gadol would

PHOTOGRAPH: BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

The Kohen
GADOL’S ROPE