The Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It is a day set aside to atone for the sins of the past year. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. Here is an overview of the significance, customs, and observances associated with Yom Kippur according to the Bible.
Significance of Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the culmination of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. According to Leviticus 23:26-32, Yom Kippur is a day of “Sabbath rest” and “self-denial.” God commanded the Israelites to observe Yom Kippur by humbling themselves and presenting offerings to atone for their sins.
The central themes of Yom Kippur are atonement, repentance, and reconciliation with God. The Hebrew word kippur means “atonement.” On Yom Kippur, Jews ask forgiveness from God for any wrongs they have committed against God or their fellow man in the previous year.
One of the key rituals of the day is the confession of sins committed both individually and collectively. Jews admit and take accountability for any hurts they have caused in their relationships with others and in their relationship with God. The goal is to wipe the slate clean and start fresh in those relationships.
Yom Kippur represents a day of new beginnings and the chance to reunite with God. The purification of Yom Kippur is meant to restore Israel to the state of purity and consecration attained after the reception of the law on Mount Sinai.
Yom Kippur Customs and Observances
Yom Kippur is observed with fasting and intense prayer by Jewish people around the world. Here are some of the main customs associated with Yom Kippur:
- Fasting – Adult Jews abstain from all food and drink for 25 hours, including water, beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The Talmud also speaks of abstaining from wearing leather shoes, bathing, anointing oneself, and marital relations during this time (Yoma 8:1). The fasting allows one to put aside physical desires and focus on spiritual needs through prayer and repentance.
- Prayer Services – Yom Kippur prayer services begin with Kol Nidre, which is recited before sunset at the start of the holy day. Jews then attend worship services throughout the day and say prayers asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness. The concluding service is Neilah, during which the ark is kept open to symbolize waiting for God’s verdict of forgiveness.
- Confession of Sins – Viddui, the Jewish prayers of confession, are recited multiple times during Yom Kippur services. These confessions ask for God’s pardon for sins committed against God and one’s fellows.
- Wearing White – Many Jews wear white clothing on Yom Kippur, symbolizing spiritual purity. Some men also wear a white robe called a kittel.
- Abstaining from Work – No work is permitted on Yom Kippur, including cooking and using electricity. It is considered a Sabbath-like rest day.
- Blowing the Shofar – The shofar or ram’s horn is blown at the end of Yom Kippur services to symbolize God’s sovereignty and the closing of the gates of Heaven after judgment is passed.
In addition to public synagogue services, private petitions called selichot are offered, adding to the themes of repentance and reconciliation with God.
Origins of Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur originated in the Torah commandments regarding an annual day of atonement. Leviticus 16 outlines the rituals for Yom Kippur that were conducted by the High Priest in the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. These involved sacrificing animals, bringing incense behind the veil into the Holy of Holies, and sending away a scapegoat bearing the people’s sins.
Leviticus 23:26-32 established Yom Kippur as a sacred occasion to be celebrated annually on the 10th day of the 7th month. It was to be a Sabbath of complete rest for afflicting one’s soul and making atonement offerings. The passage makes clear that those who did not observe the day would be cut off from the people.
Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD when animal sacrifices ceased, the rituals of Yom Kippur transitioned to prayers of repentance and charity. The modern Yom Kippur service thus retains the themes of atonement, forgiveness, and reconciliation while focusing on prayer, fasting, and making amends within community relationships.
Yom Kippur in the Bible
The Bible associates several key events with Yom Kippur and the Day of Atonement observance:
- Leviticus 16 – God instructs Moses regarding the Yom Kippur rituals and offerings Aaron must perform as high priest to make atonement for Israel’s sins and uncleanness.
- Leviticus 23:26-32 – Yom Kippur is established by the Lord as a “Sabbath of solemn rest” on the 10th day of the 7th month.
- Numbers 29:7-11 – Offerings to be made on Yom Kippur are specified, including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and the scapegoat.
- Deuteronomy 26:14 – Moses reminds the Israelites that on holy days like Yom Kippur they affirm they have not eaten of tithes while in mourning, keeping the day holy.
- 2 Samuel 1:2-4 – An Amalekite lies to David that he killed Saul, which occurs around the time of Yom Kippur when Saul died.
- Ezra 3:1-6 – The returned exiles celebrate Sukkot and Yom Kippur in the 7th month even before the new Temple is finished.
- Nehemiah 8-9 – Ezra reads the law on feast of Trumpets, and on Yom Kippur the Israelites confess their sins and worship God.
- Isaiah 58 – The prophet condemns insincere fasting and rituals, calling Judah to true repentance that pleases God.
- Hebrews 9 – The Day of Atonement foreshadowed Christ’s atoning work, who secured eternal redemption.
These passages give insight into the biblical origins and spiritual meaning behind Yom Kippur observances.
Spiritual Significance for Christians
While Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday, it also carries significant meaning for Christians. Here are some key connections between Yom Kippur and Christian theology and practice:
- Foreshadowing atonement in Christ – As Hebrews 9-10 explains, the Day of Atonement rituals foreshadowed Christ’s once-for-all atonement on the cross. He is the ultimate high priest who made purification for sins.
- Insufficiency of works – Attempts at atonement through repeated sacrifices and ritual washings were insufficient to cleanse sin, pointing to humanity’s need for Christ’s redemptive work by grace (Hebrews 10:1-4).
- Afflicting one’s soul – Yom Kippur’s self-denial practices represent how sin has damaged relationships with God and others, spurring the need for reconciliation.
- Yearly recognition of sin – The annual Day of Atonement observance recognizes the ongoing need for confession, awareness of personal sin, and reliance on God’s mercy.
- Restoring relationships – Making amends and seeking forgiveness to restore broken relationships reflects biblical principles of reconciliation, repentance, and community holiness.
- Heightened awareness – Fasting, prayer, and repentance encourage spiritual focus, reminding Christians to pursue constant mindfulness of God.
While Christians do not observe Yom Kippur as a religious ritual, its themes of humility, repentance, and cleansing align with central gospel truths. It points to human inability to atone for sin apart from Christ.
Yom Kippur in Judaism Today
Yom Kippur continues to be the most important and solemn day on the Jewish calendar. Even many less observant Jews fast and attend synagogue services on Yom Kippur. Here are some modern Yom Kippur traditions and adaptations:
- Main services include Kol Nidre on the eve of Yom Kippur and Neilah to conclude the day.
- Synagogues are decorated with white garments and candles to represent the themes of forgiveness and purity.
- Many Jews wear white clothing or a white kittel robe, avoiding leather footwear.
- The ark remains open during Neilah, some staying for hours of confessional prayers.
- Reform Jews may adapt rules about fasting, clothing, and sexual relations.
- Following Yom Kippur, family and friends celebrate the “breaking of the fast” together.
Yom Kippur continues to resonate as a day of reconciliation, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal for Jewish people. The themes of self-sacrifice, repentance, and God’s mercy are deeply meaningful, even as rituals have evolved over time.
Questions and Answers about Yom Kippur
Here are answers to some common questions people have about the Day of Atonement:
- What does Yom Kippur commemorate? – Yom Kippur commemorates God’s forgiveness and reconciliation with His people Israel upon Moses’ descent from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets after the golden calf incident, according to Jewish tradition.
- When is Yom Kippur 2022? – In 2022, Yom Kippur is on Tuesday, October 4th and Wednesday, October 5th, beginning at sunset on the 4th.
- What are appropriate Yom Kippur greetings? – Traditional greetings are “G’mar chatima tova” meaning “May you be sealed in the book of life.” Or simply “Good Yuntif” or “Easy fast.”
- What is the purpose of fasting on Yom Kippur? – Fasting allows worshippers to remove distractions of physical appetites and focus wholly on repenting of sins and reconciling with God.
- Who is required to fast on Yom Kippur? – All healthy Jewish adults are expected to fast, though exemptions include medical conditions, pregnancy, etc. Children may fast partially.
- Why do Jews wear white on Yom Kippur? – White represents spiritual purity, the forgiveness attained on Yom Kippur, and the way this transforms one’s life.
- What is the Torah portion read on Yom Kippur? – Readings on Yom Kippur include Leviticus 16 on the offerings for atonement and Leviticus 18 on laws for holiness.
- How do you wish someone an easy fast? – To wish someone observant an “easy fast” you can say “Tzom kal,” which translates to “Have an easy fast.”
- Can you cook on Yom Kippur? – Cooking and other labors are forbidden on Yom Kippur, so observers must prepare precooked meals ahead of time before the start of the holiday.
Conclusion
Yom Kippur represents the pinnacle of the High Holiday period in Judaism. Its focus on repentance, prayer, and reconciliation emphasizes the themes of God’s forgiveness and the need for atonement. For Christians, it points to the insufficiency of works and foreshadows Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. Yom Kippur continues as a sacred day of self-denial, worship, and spiritual renewal for Jews around the world.