How to observe “YOM KIPPUR/DAY OF ATONEMENT” a.k.a “The SABBATH OF SABBATHS”

SHALOM!

Yom Kippur is the Holiest day of the year, when we are closest to YAH and to the essence of our lives/souls.

 

On one Yom Kippur to come, it will be the final day of judgment when every person’s destiny will be sealed for all eternity.

 

Consider the following scriptures:

  • John 17:22-23
  • Ephesians 4:11-13

 

 

Yom Kippur usually falls in September or October each year.

 

It is believed that YOM KIPPUR is the day on which Moses received the second set of Ten Commandments

 

It’s the Day of Atonement after the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah. On this day, Jews ask YAH/ ELOHIM for SELICHOT a.k a FORGIVENESS for their sins to secure their fate.

During this time, Jews attend worship services where the machzor, a prayer book used during holy days, is read and specific prayers are recited. At the end of the services, a shofar or ram’s horn is blown to signal the end of Yom Kippur. Then, Jews are able to feast, breaking the fast.

 

YOM KIPPUR is also known as the SABBATH of SABBATHS!

 

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is one of the most widely-observed Jewish holidays. It takes place 10 days after Rosh Hashanah (the start of the Jewish New Year), and is generally a time for introspection, repentance, prayer, and forgiveness of past misdeeds toward anyone you may have wronged.

 

Leviticus 23:26-32 Names of God Bible (NOG)

26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, 27 “In addition, the tenth day of this seventh month is a special day for the payment for sins. There will be a holy assembly. Humble yourselves, and bring Yahweh a sacrifice by fire. 28 Don’t do any work that day. It is a special day for the payment for sins. It is a time when you make peace with Yahweh your Elohim. 29 Those who do not humble themselves on that day will be excluded from the people. 30 I will kill those who do any work on that day. 31 Don’t do any work. It is a permanent law for generations to come wherever you live. 32 It is a day of worship, a day when you don’t work. Humble yourselves starting on the evening of the ninth day of the month. From that evening to the next, observe the day of worship.”

 

 

Leviticus 16:29-34 Names of God Bible (NOG)

The Day for Making Peace with the Lord

16

29 “This will be a permanent law for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month both native Israelites and foreigners must humble themselves. They must do no work. 30 On this day Aaron will make peace with the Lord to make you clean. Then you will be clean from all your sins in Yahweh’s presence. 31 This is the most important worship festival there is for you. You will humble yourselves. It is a permanent law. 32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to serve as chief priest in his father’s place will pay for sins. He will put on the holy linen clothes 33 and will make peace with the Lord at the holy place, the tent of meeting, and the altar. He will make peace with the Lord for the priests and all the worshipers.

34 “This permanent law tells you how to make peace with the Lord once a year for all the sins the Israelites committed.”

Aaron did as Yahweh had commanded Moses.

 

The following information offers some advice on how to properly observe Yom Kippur:

 

Like Shabbat, no work is to be done, and special holiday candles are lit before the onset of the holy day.

The day is spent in the synagogue, where we hold five prayer services:

  • Maariv, with its solemn Kol Nidrei service, on the eve of Yom Kippur;
  • Shacharit, the morning prayer, which includes a reading from Leviticusfollowed 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;
  • Neilah, the “closing of the gates” service at sunset, followed by the shofar blast marking the end of the fast.

 

Beyond specific actions, Yom Kippur is dedicated to:

  • introspection,
  • prayer

and

  • asking YAH for forgiveness.

Even during the breaks between services, it is appropriate to recite Psalms at every available moment.

 

 

1. Find out if Yom Kippur falls on a weekday. If this is the case, let your job or school know in advance that you will be absent as you will be spending most of Yom Kippur in the synagogue.

 

For nearly 26 hours we “afflict our souls” by avoiding the following five actions.

2. Understand the five basic, major prohibitions of Yom Kippur. They are as follows (in no particular order):

  • No eating or drinking
  • No bathing or washing
  • No wearing leather shoes
  • No anointing (i.e. applying creams, lotion, makeup)
  • No engaging in marital relations (that is, sexual intercourse)

 

3. Realize that Yom Kippur begins at sundown the night before and ends after sundown the next day. For this reason, eat a very filling pre-fast meal and drink plenty of fluids (ideally water) before the holiday starts.

 

4. Attend the Kol Nidre service at your synagogue. The service lasts about an hour and a half altogether. Wear white if possible.

 

5. Attend your shul a.k.a synagogue on the morning of Yom Kippur. Depending on your level of observance, many people stay in the synagogue for the whole day, only leaving for a short break in the afternoon.

 

6. After sundown, eat a very filling, break-fast meal.