After the death of two of Aaron’s sons, who were struck down by God for attempting to enter the Holy of Holies, the High Priest is given strict instructions that the Sanctuary’s most holy place may only be entered on Yom Kippur. The purification of the Sanctuary and the rituals of Yom Kippur – including the scapegoat and the personal and communal confessions – are enumerated. The entire Israelite nation was commanded to “afflict their souls” - to fast on Yom Kippur.

Rules are given prohibiting the random sacrifice of animals in any locale; they may only be offered on the Sanctuary’s altar. To do otherwise was tantamount to idolatry. The consumption of any blood or of the flesh of an animal that was not slaughtered properly was also considered an abomination.

The Torah’s standards of personal morality include sexual behavior: the excesses of both the Egyptian and Canaanite cultures were rejected, and prohibited marital unions were also spelled out.