Yom Kippur: The Day of Covering
The 10th day of the 7th month on the Hebrew calendar is called Yom Kippur in the Bible–literally “a day of covering.” The covering refers quite directly to the forgiveness of sins. In ancient times, first in the Tent or Tabernacle, and in later centuries in both the First and the Second Jewish Temples, elaborate and special ceremonies were carried out on this day. The High Priest, once a year on this day, entered into the inner room of the Temple called the Holy of Holies, where the ark or of the covenant or “testimony,” was housed. This is the chest that held the stone tablets upon which was inscribed the “Ten Words,” or Ten Commandments. These ceremonies are described in Leviticus 16.
Since the days of the 2nd Temple, which the Romans destroyed in 70 CE, Yom Kippur has continued to be observed by Jews worldwide all through the centuries. Indeed, it is considered the holiest and most solemn day of the year. It has essentially come to be understood as a day of Atonement. The word Atonement, literally, “At-One-Ment” is the day Jews and Torah believers want to be at one and at peace with their heavenly Judge. Heshbon HaNefesh, is the Hebrew term for “an accounting of one’s life” and this is the prerequisite for entering into G-d’s redemptive plan for the past year and beginning the new year with a clean, pure slate. This is the day of being inscribed in the “Book of Life.” It is a day of individual and collective Acknowledgment of sins, Repentance, and Redemption, all steps which lead to G-d’s forgiveness and reconciliation. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar and though these three steps seem easy and simple enough, they are interwoven over a period of 10 days (known as the Asseret Y’mey T’shuvah, or 10 days of repentance) into a tapestry which is given in order to allow us to ask for forgiveness from our friends, acquaintances, and family as well as from G-d. Atonement is the goal on this day of “last chance” as G-d finalizes His judgment.
Some believers emphasize confession; Jews emphasize repentance. Confession admits a wrong. Repentance, to be accepted, requires a commitment to change. To confess without change is to accept evil as unalterable behavior. Repentance or Teshuvah is the total reversal of behavior in order to receive redemption. Leviticus 23:27 instructs us to “afflict our soul” which simply says to deny ourselves of food, drink, sex, work or any activity which would divert our attention from meditation and focusing on the sins we’ve committed during the past year. Yom Kippur is called “the Sabbath of Sabbaths” in the Torah. It is set apart as is the weekly Sabbath to emphasize introspection, self-evaluation, and on trying to figure out the meaning and purpose of our lives. Reconciliation with G-d and mankind is paramount to having our names written in the Book of Life and having the seals affixed for the coming year.
Leviticus 16:22 describes how the High Priest performed sacred rites during Yom Kippur which included having a lottery to choose two goats: one consecrated to G-d; the other the Azazel goat. The High Priest confessed the sins of Israel on the Azazel-goat and set it free in the wilderness so that it “shall carry on it all their iniquities to an inaccessible region”. The goat consecrated to G-d was offered on the altar as a purification offering.
In Rabbinic literature, Yom Kippur is given an additional name, Yom HaDin, or Day of Judgement and is a fasting holiday of epic proportions. This should be a festival without food. The fast for this day is biblically mandated and is an act of self-denial. This is the designated day to nourish our souls and not our bodies. The words of Isaiah are read in every congregation: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the fetters of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? When you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your reward.” (Isaiah 58:6-8)
Finally, on Yom Kippur, the shofar is blown just once, one long blast at the very end of the holiday. Thus a new year begins and the sages have proclaimed that the day after Yom Kippur is when we are the cleanest and purest of the entire year.
Rebecca Buntyn