Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Judaism and one of the most important of all the Jewish holidays. It follows a time of personal introspection and reflection that begins ten days earlier with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. People call the ten days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur the “ten days of repentance” or “the days of awe.” Called the Day of Atonement, the focus is on repentance and forgiveness. It is when God weighs one’s previous year’s good deeds against their transgressions.
This holiest of days is recognized as the day Moses asked God to forgive the Jewish people for the sin of making and worshiping the Golden Calf idol (after God gave Moses the Ten Commandments). This theme appears throughout the holiday. It is the opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness before God inscribes names into and seals The Book of Life.
Understanding Yom Kippur
Unlike Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur is a more solemn holiday, not celebratory and jovial. Therefore, “Happy Yom Kippur” is not an appropriate greeting to anyone observing the holiday. Instead, “G’mar Hatima Tova” (May you be sealed in the Book of Life), or the shorter version “G’mar Tov” is said. Before Yom Kippur begins, it is customary to say “Have an easy fast.” Those not fasting, but observing, can be greeted with “Have a good holy day” (“Good Yuntif” in Yiddish or “Yom Tov” in Hebrew).
The day before, often entails a hearty meal to prepare one’s physical strength for the upcoming fast. It is also tradition on the day before to ask forgiveness from anyone who may have been wronged (as it is believed that God cannot forgive sins done to other people). Charitable donations, cemetery visits, candle lighting, and special prayers/ blessings are some other customary pre-Yom Kippur rituals.
When Yom Kippur begins the following day at sundown, it continues for approximately 25 hours. On this Day of Atonement, one observes by fasting (no food or drink, including water), taking a day of rest from work (including the use of technology), repenting for any misdeeds and praying for atonement. Some may continue to go to synagogue, as they did during Rosh Hashanah.
Yom Kippur Traditions.
Yom Kippur also includes abstaining from bathing, the application of skin lotions, creams or oils, the wearing of leather footwear and engaging in sexual relations. The idea is that one should have no physical needs on this day and that one should concentrate only on spiritual well-being. Another one of the traditions is to wear white clothing to symbolize the focus on purity and spirituality.
Once the sun has set the next day, the shofar (the ancient trumpet-like instrument made from a ram’s horn) is blown in synagogues. This announces the end of the Yom Kippur fast and that it is now time to celebrate that God has forgiven everyone’s sins. Meals that break the fast may include kugel, a pudding made from egg noodles or potato. Other customary fare for breaking the fast includes: bagels, honey cake, and quiches.
This special day encourages one to spend time on personal growth. It establishes that it is important to ask for forgiveness. And likewise, be willing to forgive in return (which fortifies personal relationships). There is a strength in resolving to never again repeat the same mistakes. And taking a break from indulgences may be hard or inconvenient, but also demonstrates a humble self-denial. Ultimately, we are reminded that life is not about human gratification, but about the Higher Power.
May everyone have an easy fast this Yom Kippur.
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