WHAT IS YOM KIPPUR?
YOM
KIPPUR (DAY OF ATONEMENT)
INTRODUCTION
Yom Kippur is the Jewish holiest day of the year—the day on
which we are closest to YAHWEH 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 Yahweh” (Leviticus 16:30).
Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the
Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain
from work, fast and/or attend synagogue
services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri.
The holiday is instituted at Leviticus
23:26
ETYMOLOGY
Yom means "day" in Hebrew and Kippur
comes from a root that means "to atone". Yom Kippur is usually
expressed in English as "Day of Atonement".
OBSERVANCE
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath;
no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to
refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete,
25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and
ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The Talmud
also specifies additional restrictions that are less well-known: washing and
bathing, anointing one's body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing
leather shoes (Orthodox
Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur),
and engaging in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.
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