What is Yom Kippur?
The holiest day of the year. Fasting and atonement, solemnity and joy...
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Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year--the day on which we are
closest to G‑d and to the quintessence
of our own souls. It is the
Day of Atonement--"For on this day He will
forgive you, to
purify you, that you be cleansed from all your
sins before G‑d" (Leviticus 16:30).
For nearly twenty-six hours--from several minutes before sunset on Tishrei 9 to after nightfall on Tishrei 10--we
"afflict our souls":
we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies, do not wear leather footwear, and abstain from marital relations.
Before Yom Kippur
we perform the Kaparot
atonement service; we request and receive honey cake, in acknowledgement that we are all recipients in G-d's world and in prayerful hope for a sweet and abundant year; eat a festive meal;
immerse in a mikvah;
and give extra charity. Late afternoon we eat the pre-fast meal, following which we bless our children,
light a memorial candle
as well as the holiday candles, and go to the
synagogue for Kol Nidrei services.
In the course of Yom Kippur we hold
five prayer services: Maariv, with its solemn
Kol Nidrei service, on the eve of Yom Kippur; Shacharit--the morning prayer, which includes the reading from Leviticus followed by the yizkor memorial service; Musaf, which includes a detailed account of the Yom Kippur Temple service; Minchah, which includes the reading of the
Book of Jonah;
and Neilah, the "closing of the gates" service at sunset. We say the Al Chet confession of sins eight times in the course of Yom Kippur, and recite
Psalms every available moment.
The day is the most solemn of the year, yet an undertone of joy suffuses it: a joy that revels in the spirituality of the day and expresses the confidence that G-d will accept our repentance, forgive our sins, and seal our
verdict
for a year of life, health and happiness. The closing Neilah service climaxes in the resounding cries of
"Hear O Israel... G-d is one." Then joy erupts in song and dance (a Chabad custom is to sing the lively
"Napoleon's March"), followed by a single
blast of the shofar, followed by the proclamation, "Next year in Jerusalem." We then partake of a festive after-fast meal, making the evening after Yom Kippur a Yom Tov (festival) in its own right.
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Latest Comments:
Charity is a word, in a world where people not profit matters the word would simply mean lets all share , have enough food and shelter, lets end world poverty now.
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Surely a heartfelt "sorry" for what you did, an acknowledgement of how that must have hurt the person concerned, and "please forgive me" would be a good start. Also just because you have asked don't expect an instant response of forgiveness. Remember you may have been thinking about asking for forgiveness for a while while it may come as a surprise to that person. Plus what is your motive for asking? Is it to feel better yourself, because you feel you have to because of this time of year or to start the process to heal the relationship and bless the other person?
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I like the way it is written.
G-d blessings & Sabbath Shalom.
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I am a gentile female, widowed, age 64. My serious boyfriend is Jewish, age 63, I appreciated very much this explanation of Yom Kippur.
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I did not read the article but i did read your post.
i interpret your meaning is to encourage tzeddakah -which is righteousness, doing what is right for the sake of doing right, as taught by Torah.
Charity is a bit narrower. There are two attitudes of giving charity. You can give because it is right, and is the higher attitude Or you can give for other miscellaneous feel good reasons which are on a lower level but fine, because it beats being uncharitable.
May thoughts of Tshuva ( Return to G-d ) and Tefillah ( Attachment to G-d ) augment Tzeddakah ( Righteousness) and be the 3 paths by which you have an easy fast.
On Yom Kippur, Tzeddakah is the path of preference.
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Without the Holy Temple we cannot do any of those services. However, included in the Musaf prayer on Yom Kippur is a detailed account of the entire Yom Kippur service in the holy Temple. Our sages tell us, that now, after the destruction of the Temple, when we learn about or recite the Temple ceremony, G-d considers it as if we actually did it.
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Since the temple is gone, and the priesthood is difficult to prove, what is done about the goats being sent off into the "wilderness?" Is there a special prayer or ceremony that addresses this absence?
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is not always about the giving of money. It's often and perhaps more compelling to give of yourself, however you can, in supportive, loving, and kind ways.
There are so many worthwhile charities, around the world, and it is not possible, for any one person to give to them all, so I think we all pick and choose. What draws you in strong ways? Maybe most tear at your heart strings, but you cannot open your purse strings to them all.
I think what you are "meant" to do, is follow your heart, and if for reasons you cannot give money, and cannot give of yourself, the impulse is also part of the act of giving, and the remorse in not giving enough, because the hole in life as to need, is immense, and That great. Great hearts know this, and bleed, whenever anyone or any need is turned away.
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I too wonder why we're not supposed to wear leather...To the lady who is worried about her $6000 debt. There is a promise for us to prosper even as our SOUL PROSPERS. Ask for understanding about your spending & what is a need & what is a want...& I sincerely pray for you to prosper in every way.
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It is beautiful, and Im thankful.
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