Preparation for Yom Kippur as described in the Mussaf prayer (par. 2)-Ashkenaz

The Day Before Yom Kippur
On the morning of the ninth day of Tishrei, they stood the Kohain Gadol at the eastern gate of the Bais Hamikdash. They passed before him the fine animals that would be used for the sacrifices of the day of Yom Kippur. As sundown approached, they limited his meal, so that he would not by chance become tamay while asleep because of excess food.

The elders of his tribe would bring the Kohain Gadol to a place where they would teach him to fill his hands with incense. They would foreswear him to burn the incense only when he was already within the Kodesh Hakodoshim.

His flesh became tense, and he cried because he was suspected of being a Tziduki, one who is unfaithful to the Oral Torah. The elders also turned aside and shed tears because they feared they had unjustly suspected the Kohain Gadol.

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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 .