Jewish Festival of Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement: Yom Kippur

OVERVIEW OF YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement according to the Bible. It is one of the Yamim Noraim (Hebrew, "Days of Awe"). The Yamim Noraim consists of Rosh Hashanah, which is the first two days of the Ten Days of Repentance, and Yom Kippur, which is the last of the ten days. In the Hebrew calendar Yom Kippur begins at nightfall starting the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri (which falls in September/October), and continues until the next nightfall.

HISTORY OF YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur is the Jewish day of repentance, considered to be the holiest and most solemn day of the year. Its central theme is atonement and reconciliation. Eating, drinking, bathing, cosmetics, wearing leather (including shoes), and conjugal relations are prohibited. Fasting - total abstention from all food and drink - begins a bit before sundown (called 'tosephet' Yom Kippur, the 'addition' of fasting a bit of the previous day is required by Jewish law), and ends after nightfall the following day.

Yom Kippur completes the penitential period of ten days ("the season of repentance and prayer") that begins with Rosh Hashanah (New Year's Day); for though prayerful humiliation be acceptable at all times, it is thought to be peculiarly potent at that time.

Penitent confession was a requisite for expiation through capital or corporal punishment. "The Day of Atonement absolves from sins against God, but not from sins against a fellow man unless the pardon of the offended person be secured." Hence the custom of terminating on the eve of the fast day all feuds and disputes. Even the souls of the dead are included in the community of those pardoned on the Day of Atonement. It is customary for children to have public mention made in the synagogue of their departed parents, and to make charitable gifts on behalf of their souls.

Yom Kippur is mentioned biblically in Leviticus 23: 26-32.
There is a tradition to wear white on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, though today you will find many only adhering to the tradition on Yom Kippur. The tradition stems from several concepts.

1. White signifies the color of mercy, and on Yom Kippur we pray for mercy.
2. The angels "wear white" figuratively, and on Yom Kippur the congregation of Israel fasts and prays like the angels.
3. White is the color of purity, and the Day of Atonement itself brings spiritual purification.

It is also a custom at the end of Yom Kippur to begin construction of the Sukkah immediately for the holiday of Sukkot / Sukkos, the Festival of Booths, which is another story all together. As Christians we have a rich heritage and God put these festivals in place to show, not only the Jews but us as Christians something special. I believe God does nothing without a reason and it will always point us to His Son…Jesus. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…come quickly Lord Jesus!