Let's spend some time learning a bit of Torah for this Shabbat! This week we read from Leviticus 16:1 - 20:27 it is a duel parsha Acharei Mot and Kedoshim.
In the first parsha Acharei Mot we learn of the Yom Kippur service where the Kohen Gadol casts lots to designate two goats - one to be sacrificed, the other to be driven off into the wilderness (Azazel) after the High Priest confesses the sins of the people on its head.
The goat sent to Azazel symbolically carried away the sins of the Jewish people. This, I surmise, is the source of the concept of using a scapegoat. One thing you can truly give credit to the Jewish people -- when we use a scapegoat, at least we use a real goat!
The Torah then proceeds to set forth the sexual laws -- who you are not allowed to marry or have relations with. If one appreciates that the goal of life is to be holy, to perfect oneself and to be as much as possible like God, then he/she can appreciate that it is impossible to orgy at night and be spiritual by day.
The next Torah Portion is Kedoshim (Holy) which invokes the Jewish people to be holy! And then it proceeds with the spiritual directions on how to achieve holiness, closeness to the Almighty. Within it lie the secrets and the prescription for Jewish continuity. If any group of people is to survive as an entity, it must have common values and goals -- a direction and a meaning. By analyzing this portion we can learn much about our personal and national destiny.
May you all have a wonderful Shabbat!