Why is Yom Kippur Significant? What to Know About the Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur, often referred to as the Day of Atonement, stands as the most significant holiday within the Jewish faith. Occurring in the Hebrew month of Tishrei, typically falling in September or October according to the Gregorian calendar, this day holds a special place in the Jewish calendar. It serves as the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Yom Kippur carries profound spiritual significance, as it is believed to be the day when God determines each individual's fate for the coming year. It is, therefore, a time for Jewish people to seek forgiveness and make amends for their transgressions during the previous year. This sacred observance entails a 25-hour fast and a unique religious service. This year, Yom Kippur is set to commence on the evening of Sunday, September 24 and conclude on the evening of Monday, September 25.
A central belief surrounding Yom Kippur is that God assesses all beings during the 10 Days of Awe, which span from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur. It is during this period that divine judgments are made, with individuals categorized as either righteous or wicked. Those falling between these categories have until Yom Kippur to engage in "teshuvah," or repentance. Consequently, observant Jews view Yom Kippur and the preceding days as a period for prayer, performing good deeds, reflecting on past wrongs, and reconciling with others.
Historically, the origins of Yom Kippur are intertwined with the Israelites' journey after their exodus from Egypt and arrival at Mount Sinai. During this period, God bestowed upon Moses the Ten Commandments, which were written on two sacred tablets. However, upon descending from the mountain, Moses discovered that his people had been worshipping a golden calf, which led to his profound anger and the shattering of the sacred tablets. Subsequently, as the Israelites atoned for their actions, God forgave their sins and presented Moses with a second set of tablets.
In ancient times, Yom Kippur was the only day when the high priest could enter the inner sanctum of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. There, a series of rituals were performed, including the sprinkling of blood from sacrificed animals on the Ark of the Covenant, which housed the Ten Commandments. Through this intricate ceremony, the high priest sought atonement and divine forgiveness on behalf of the entire Jewish community. This practice persisted until the year 70 A.D. when the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. Following this, the ceremony was adapted into a service conducted by rabbis in individual synagogues.
Yom Kippur ranks as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, often referred to as the "Sabbath of Sabbaths." As such, even Jews who do not observe other religious practices abstain from work, which is strictly forbidden during this holiday. Synagogue attendance significantly increases as people participate in religious services on Yom Kippur. In some instances, congregations may rent additional space to accommodate the surge in worshippers.
The Torah stipulates that all Jewish adults, with certain exceptions for the sick, the elderly, and recently postpartum women, must abstain from consuming food and drink from the evening preceding Yom Kippur until nightfall on the following day. This fasting period is considered a means of cleansing both the body and spirit, rather than a form of punishment. In addition to fasting, religious Jews adhere to further restrictions, which include refraining from bathing, washing, using cosmetics, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in sexual relations. These prohibitions are designed to prevent individuals from becoming overly preoccupied with material possessions and worldly comforts during this sacred time.
High Holy Day prayer services during Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah feature unique liturgical texts, songs, and customs. To accommodate these distinctive observances, rabbis and their congregations utilize a special prayer book known as the machzor. Yom Kippur itself consists of five distinct prayer services, commencing on the eve of the holiday and concluding before sunset the following day. One of the most significant Yom Kippur prayers details the ancient atonement ritual performed by high priests. The sound of the shofar, a trumpet fashioned from a ram's horn, holds immense symbolic importance on both Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah. To mark the conclusion of the fast, a single long blast of the shofar resonates at the end of the final service.
