It's A Sore Topic

A thought on Parashas Acharei Mos and why we read it on Yom Kippur

The Parashah describes the Avoda of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. Specifically, Moshe explains  the proper protocol for entering the kodesh hakodashim to Aharon. However this is preceded with an unusual introduction: “Hashem spoke to Moshe after the death of the two sons of Aharon when they came improperly before Hashem (into the kodesh hakodashim) and died”¹. Why did the Torah mention the death of Aharon’s sons in this context?

Furthermore, this Parashah is read on Yom Kippur. Why on Yom Kippur are we evoking something which seems to remind Hashem of our sins?

Simply speaking, the reason is that Aharon’s sons died because they entered the Mishkan inappropriately. Thus, Hashem is telling Aharon to be careful when he goes into the Kodesh Kedoshim on Yom Kippur. 

The Artscroll Chumash quotes the Meshech Chochma who says that we read this on Yom Kippur because just as the death of a tzaddik atones for the generation, so too the death of Nadav and Avihu should be a Kappara for us. 

Rav Gedali…