Yom Kippur
2008-10-08

D. E. Herrod, B.Ed.E, MDiv,

Literally, Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement. For Jews it is the most important holiday of the Jewish year. The establishment of the Day of Atonement is found in Leviticus 16:29-30. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to atone for the sins of humans towards God not other humans. Atonement for sins is made by seeking reconciliation with that person. It is necessary to seek reconciliation with other prior to Yom Kippur. (1)

Yom Kippur is to be a time of reflection and focus on one’s spiritual condition. Five prohibitions intended to draw one’s attention away from physical needs and instead focus on spiritual needs:
* Eating and drinking
* Bathing
* Anointing (applying perfumes, etc)
* Maritial relations
* Wearing leather shoes (2)

Observance begins on sundown of the day before. Yom Kippur is considered a Shabbat even if it falls on a weekday. (3) In the Jewish tradition, the day begins at sundown not sunrise. Yom Kippur is a day of prayer and fasting. (4) Most of the day is spent attending services at the synagogue. Services end at nightfall. The blowing of the shofar signals the ending of services. It is customary to wear white a symbol of purity and the promise of purification from sins. (5)

Notes:
(1) Tracy R. Rich, “Yom Kippur” in Judaism 101 [available on-line: http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm, last accessed on 5 October 2008].

(2) “Yom Kippur” [available on-line: http://www.answers.com/topic/yom-kippur last accessed 5 October 2008].

(3) “Yom Kippur” [available on-line: http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/yomkipur/yomkstr.htm last acessed 5 October 2008]

(4) “An Overview of Yom Kippur” [available on-line: http://www.ou.org/chagim/yomkippur/ykoverview.htm last accessed on 5 October 2008].

(5) Tracy R. Rich, “Yom Kippur” in Judaism 101 [available on-line: http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm, last accessed on 5 October 2008].