High Holy Days on the Net - The Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur

The Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur 2009: Sunday September 27
(begins at sundown)

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most sacred of the Jewish holidays, the "Sabbath of Sabbaths."

By Yom Kippur the 40 days of repentance, that begin with the first of Elul, have passed. On Rosh Hashanah G-d has judged most of mankind and has recorded his judgement in the Book of Life. But he has given a 10 day reprieve.

On Yom Kippur the Book of Life is closed and sealed. Those that have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy New Year.

Since Yom Kippur is the day to ask forgiveness for promises broken to G-d, the day before is reserved for asking forgiveness for broken promises between people, as G-d cannot forgive broken promises between people.

Yom Kippur is a day of "NOT" doing. There is no blowing of the Shofar and Jews may not eat or drink, as fasting is the rule. It is believed that to fast on Yom Kippur is to emulate the angels in heaven, who do not eat, drink, or wash.

The Five Prohibitions of Yom Kippur

Eating and drinking
Anointing with perfumes or lotions
Marital relations
Washing
Wearing leather shoes

While Yom Kippur is devoted to fasting, the day before is devoted to eating. According to the The Talmud the person "who eats on the ninth of Tishri (and fasts on the tenth) , it is as if he had fasted both the ninth and tenth." Prayer is also down played so that Jews can concentrate on eating and preparing for the fast.

On the eve of Yom Kippur the community joins at the synagogue. Men put on prayer shawls (not usually worn in the evenings). Then as the night falls the cantor begins the "Kol Nidre", it is repeated 3 times, each time in a louder voice. The Kol Nidre emphasizes the importance in keeping vows, as violating an oath is one of the worst sins.

An important part of the Yom Kippur service is the "Vidui" (Viduy) or confession. The confessions serve to help reflect on ones misdeeds and to confess them verbally is part of the formal repentance in asking G-d's forgiveness. Because community and unity are an important part of Jewish Life, the confessions are said in the plural (We are guilty).

As Yom Kippur ends, at the last hour a service called "Ne'ila" (Neilah) offers a final opportunity for repentance. It is the only service of the year during which the doors to the Ark (where the Torah scrolls are stored) remain open from the beginning to end of the service, signifying that the gates of Heaven are open at this time.

The service closes with the verse, said 7 times, "The L-rd is our G-d." The Shofar is sounded once and the congregation proclaim - "Next year in Jerusalem."

Yom Kippur is over.

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Comments

BOOM!!! from China

21:18 10/18/2009

thank you for the information!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mee from United Kingdom (Great Britain)

11:16 10/12/2009

What can a jew do on the day of atonement..?

Debra from Maryland, US

16:05 09/28/2009

How can you love G-d whom you never seen, and fight like this.This is about one Father which is God and God along. stop fighting and come together as his children. That why we are a lost nations.

Maria from Pennsylvania, US

11:23 09/28/2009

Linda, Not sure what you find offensive; but in the Jewish religion, the word 'God' is generally not written out. If your concern is because you think it's related to society's push to keep 'God' out of schools and gov't and all of that, you're wrong. The writer was being respectful. Do some research before jumping the gun next time. This is from the Judaism 101 website: "Judaism prohibits erasing or defacing a Name of God. Observant Jews avoid writing any Name of God casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better ... Normally, we avoid writing the Name by substituting letters or syllables, for example, writing 'G-d' instead of 'God'."

Linda from Texas, US

09:58 09/28/2009

I find it VERY offensive that you find you must refer to GOD as G-d ! This is a religious article! If you can't refer to God as God here..... ?! Were you worried you would step on somebodies toes???? I encourage you to put the O back in God!

Susie from Ohio, US

08:36 09/28/2009

Thinking of you, Lenny Hugs. Susie

David Spitzberg from Arizona, US

15:15 09/26/2009

love dad

Bill H from Texas, US

14:49 09/26/2009

Where in scripture are these Holidays "Jewish" Holidays? They are Holy celebrations to be celebrated by "ALL" of G-d's children

Jan

10:46 09/26/2009

Lev. 23:27-32 scripture for fasting on Yom Kippur

Arlene

11:06 09/25/2009

Enjoy!

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