"Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, whatever their sins, putting them on the head of the goat; and it shall be sent off to the wilderness through a designated man (Leviticus 16.20)." "He who set the Azazel-goat free shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that he may reenter the camp (Leviticus 16.26)." The preceding two quotes were the only mention of any people other than Aaron who were involved in the activities on the Day of Atonement. However, in the mishnaic tractate Yomah the mishnaic authors mention at least 50 other men who participate in the day's events. It is unclear for this addition. Noticeably the groups of men are broken up into two distinct categories. The high priest is apparently trained, guided, and even observed by a group of elders of the court who eventually deliver him to the elders of the priest hood. The other group, was a group of men who completed many of the chosen High Priest's simple minded and non exertive tasks. There is no specific name classification given to these men. This may be exemplary of their unimportance in the holy d

These Israelites certainly wanted to be included in these activities, there is no doubt in that statement. "Before time whosoever was minded to clear the Altar of ashes did so. If they were, many they used to run and mount the [Altar-]Ramp and he that came first within four cubits secured the task. If two were equal the officer said to them, 'Raise the finger' (Yoma 2.1)." At times people were so anxious to participate that people got hurt. "It once happened that two were equal and they ran and mounted the [Altar-] Ramp; and one of them pushed his fellow so that he fell and his leg was broken; (Yoma 2:2)."

The authors of the mishnaic tractate Yoma display a large number of men used in the activities of the day. These men can be separated into two groups of men. These two groups are the learned elders of the society that assist the chosen high priest in completing the prayer part of the day as well as making sure he does not slack off at any point. The other men not entirely described by the mishnaic authors as to what their place in society is, assist in the physical labor of the day. It is understandable as to their benefit. Yet, it is unclear as to why it is necessary for the great amount of them. From the text with in the mishnaic tractate Yoma it appears that people feel that participation in the events of the day delete their sins. The other possibility is that they want to participate in the days events so that they me blessed for taking part in such holy activities.

oings of the day. Unlike the need for elders of the court and priest hood, the necessity of these men is a bit unclear. It is unclear in the mishnaic tractate Yoma, as to why the many tasks performed by this nameless group of men could not just have been performed by the High Priest himself as it was by Aaron.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Day Atonement, Yom Kippur, Expressed Name, Feast Tabernacles, Priest Aaron, Yoma Aaron, House Israel, Daily Whole-offering, Yom Kippur's, Altar- Ramp, chosen priest, mishnaic tractate, mishnaic tractate yoma, tractate yoma, lord priest, 'my lord, activities day, day atonement, 'my lord priest, offered eleven, brought chosen, day's events, priest raise thy, nine held hands, authors text write,
Approximate Word count = 1816
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)