21Vesamach Aharon et shtei yadav al rosh hasa'ir hachai vehitvadah alav et kol avonot bnei Yisra'el ve'et kol pish'eihem lekhol chatotam venatan otam al rosh hasa'ir veshilach beyad ish iti hamidbarah
24Verachatz et besaro vamayim bemakom kadosh velavash et begadav veyatza ve'asah et olato ve'et olat ha'am vekhiper ba'ado uve'ad ha'am
In this aliyah we reach the climax of Yom Kippur, the moments of complete atonement of Aharon, the High Priest, in his service before Hashem.
Purification of the Altar
“Veyatza el hamizbeach asher lifnei Adonai vekhiper alav” (And he shall go out to the altar that is before Hashem and atone upon it). The High Priest does not only enter inward to the Holy of Holies, but also purifies the outer altar, on which the public offerings are brought. It too requires purification, because the entire camp of Israel needs spiritual cleansing on this day.
The Goat for Azazel
“Vesamach Aharon et shtei yadav al rosh hasa’ir hachai” (And Aharon shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat). In a rare and stirring moment, Aharon transfers all the sins of the people of Israel onto the live goat, and the goat is sent by the hand of a designated man into the wilderness, to “eretz gezerah” (a land cut off). This sight, a goat bearing sins and exiled to the wilderness, is a symbol of separation from sin, as if it is sent far away from us.
Change of Garments
After the inner service is completed, the priest removes the linen garments in which he entered the Holy, washes himself, and puts on the gold garments, in order to complete the offering of the burnt offerings, and to bring the atonement to its practical, visible level.
A Point for Reflection
The goat for Azazel reminds us that sins, even the gravest ones, can be transferred. But there is a condition: confession, regret, and the desire to begin anew. On Yom Kippur not only does Hashem forgive, but we also release ourselves from sin, from guilt, and from the burdens of the past.