BIBLE Book of Leviticus "The scapegoat" rite of atonement on the day of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) the community of the Israelites offered two goats; equal to one another; to sacrifice in the Temple of Jerusalem; in expiation of their sins. The high priest chose by lot from the two goats; one was sacrificed on the altar of sacrifice; at the entrance of the building of the Temple and his blood was used to purify the temple and the altar profaned by the sins of the Israelites (Leviticus Lev . 16; 5-10). Then the high priest laid his hands on the head of the other goat and confessed the sins of the people of Israel; freed the animal in a desert area about 12 miles from Jerusalem; where according to rabbinical tradition was thrown from a cliff. Illustration by popular edition of the Bible printed in Italy about 1900