Acharei Mos-Kedoshim
The Gemara writes that on Yom Kippur they would tie a red thread on the Heichal or on a rock near where they pushed off the sa’ir la’Azazel which would turn white based on the purity and righteousness of Yisrael. This is hinted at in the passuk which states, “אם יהיו חטאיכם כשנים כשלג ילבינו, if your sins will be like the red thread, as snow it will whiten.” The Kohen Gadol would confess the sins of Yisrael with the words, “אנא ה’ חטא העם הזה אנא כפר נא כו’.” The Vilna Goan points out that this might seem to arouse prosecution against Yisrael for their sins. Even so, he needs to confess their sins and leave them, on the contrary, this will bring atonement as it states, “ומודה ועוזב ירוחם.” The passuk in Shir HaShirim states, “כחוט השני שפתותיך ומדברך נאוה.” The Vilna Goan writes that this refers to the red thread which they hung in the Beis HaMikdash to express that we have indeed sinned, but You, Hashem, please whiten it for us and atone our sins. The words “כחוט השני שפתותיך” reflect that at first the words are like the red thread which reflects prosecutes, but afterwards “ומדברך נאוה, and your speech is beautiful.” By coming to confess and say “אנא כפר נא” the red thread will turn white and show atonement.
Targum Yonason ben Uziel translates the passuk above as, “and the lips of the Kohen Gadol would beseech with prayer on Yom Kippur before Hashem and his words would change the iniquity of Yisrael which appeared as a red thread and cause it to change color like white wool.” The Kohen Gadol’s prayer on behalf of Yisrael brought atonement. The Mishnah writes that the mothers of Kohanim Gedolim would provide food and clothes for those who killed accidentally in order that they won’t pray for their sons to die. A person who killed accidently is sent to the Arei Miklat, refugee cities and is not let out until the Kohen Gadol dies. Therefore, these killers would pray for the Kohen Gadol to die in order to be let out. The Gemara writes another version: the mothers of Kohanim Gedolim would provide food and clothes for those who killed accidentally so they pray on behalf of their sons to live. This implies if these killers won’t pray, then the Kohen Gadol will die. How can this be, one person sins and another receives punishment? The Gemara writes that the Kohanim Gedolim should’ve prayed on behalf of the generation. The Maharsha points out that this is more appropriate for the Kohen Gadol than others as this part of his unique prayer on Yom Kippur, to beg Hashem to forgive sin and annul any bad decree, people shouldn’t die, and reshaim will return and retract from sinning.
May Hashem build the Third Beis HaMikdash speedily in our days!
