Preparation for Yom Kippur as described in the Mussaf prayer -Ashkenaz

Seven Days Before Yom Kippur
The week before the tenth of Tishrei, the Sanhedrin, who are the upholders of the faith, sequestered the Kohain Gadol in the Bais Hamikdash, just as the Kohanim were confined to the Mishkan at the time of the Milu'im. They sprinkled water of the Parah Adumah on him in order to purify him. In order to become accustomed to doing the Avodah, he would sprinkle the blood of the daily Korbanos on the Mizbayach, burn the daily incense and prepare the Menorah.

The confinement of the Kohain Gadol for the week is derived from a Passuk in the chapter that describes the Milu'im, as it is written in the Torah, "As was done on this day, Hashem commanded you to do on Yom Kippur to atone for you." The wise ones, elders of the court, joined him. Each day, they said to him, "Please recite the service of Yom Kippur as described in the Torah."

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All text and graphics are from the book "The Yom Kippur Avodah," by Rabbi Menachem Moshe Oppen, illustrations by Shepsil Scheinberg, © C.I.S. Publishers,1997 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. We welcome your questions and comments .