Has the Yom Kippur Mystery of Azazel Finally Been Solved?

Since the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, the holy day of Yom Kippur has been observed with intense prayer and fasting. But the Bible mandates 15 specific sacrifices and many other rituals for Yom Kippur outlined in Leviticus chapter 16. This included the Kohen Gadol (high priest) wearing five different sets of garments, immersion in the mikvah (ritual bath) five times, and washing his hands and feet ten times. The temple service on Yom Kippur was the only time the Kohen Gadol entered the Kodesh Kedoshim (holy of holies) three times, the only day of the year he was permitted to enter the site that lay at the heart of the Temple. The day culminated in a lottery that chooses between two goats, purchased at the same time, that were identical in appearance and worth. The fate of the two goats is intertwined and should one goat die, an entirely new set must be provided as it is not sufficient to merely replace the deceased animal. It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word for the lottery (גורל) also means ‘fate.’

Two gold plates, one inscribed with the word “to God” and the other with “to Azazel”, are presented to the Kohen Gadol. He blindly assigns each gold plate to a goat. The goat that is assigned the plate inscribed with “to God” is sacrificed in the normal manner, slaughtered by the Kohen Gadol, and burned on the altar inside the Temple as a sin offering. Its blood was sprinkled in the Holy of Holies eight times. The one exceptional aspect of that sacrifice is that the confession of sins that normally precedes sin offerings is omitted.

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“I was responding to the poster. The majority of the members of this site are Born Again Christians and you have just insulted and mocked them.”

And in so responding to the original poster of this thread, you have insulted and mocked all faithful Jews. That’s what *I* was responding to, especially since you chose to insult those professing and practicing the Jewish faith on the holiest day of their religious year.

“As I said to the other poster, do not post to me anymore.”
- your post #19.

Oh, and don’t tell me whether I can post/respond to you or not - you don’t own this site, Jim Robinson does. I haven’t used any foul language or otherwise harassed you, so I’m well within the rules of FR to respond to you. Besides, such a petty and childish response (similar to a kid who can’t win a game saying “I’m taking my ball home!”) indicates to me (as in, this is my opinion) that your faith is rather fragile.

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