And the goat shall bear upon itself all their iniquities to the designated place, and he shall send the goat into the wilderness” (16:21-22). One designated man takes the goat for Azazel and leads it ...

The terms “Azazel” and Yom Hakippurim are discussed in the biblical portion of Aharei Mot (16:1-18:30), but neither is part of Judaism today. There are radically different interpretations of “Azazel” ...

In 69 CE, Roman legions circled the walls of Jerusalem, poised to attack. Nervous Jewish factions fought among each other, clashing over the best way to prevent a violent end to their four-year ...

Patheos Public Square is featuring essays on “The Sacrifice: Religions and the Role of the Scapegoat.” In the history of religions, I don’t think there has ever been any greater focus on sacrifice and ...

‘And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat…. And the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the ...