Yom Kipur - Day of Redemption, leading to joy | ICF «Jewish Hesed «Bnei Azriel»

Yom Kipur - Day of Redemption, leading to joy

Four of the Jewish holidays - Rosh ha Shana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah link the amazing events of the month of Tishrei. These holidays, coming one after the other, help us to gain inner harmony, joy in our hearts and new strength for life.

The sages call Rosh ha Shana and Yom Kippur the days of Awe. Rosh ha Shana is the Day of Judgment, when in Heaven the potential of each person is considered: what the deeds were, what good still can be done and what it may bring. It is believed that on Rosh ha Shana G-d is judging every Jew by his deeds in the past year and makes a verdict on person’s fate in the next year. On Yom Kippur the verdict is finally confirmed.

In the period between the two holidays, each person is given the opportunity to improve its fate — for this we need to repent of our sins and to ask forgiveness for them from G-d. And then G-d may forgive the guilty and record them in the Book of Life. For good reason, Yom Kippur is also called the Great day of forgiveness: it is believed that on this day, more than 3,300 years ago, G-d forgave Israel the sin of the Golden calf.

Before Yom Kippur it is customary to ask forgiveness from friends and acquaintances, if by chance one has hurt them by word or action. The custom requires first to ask for forgiveness from people and then from G-d, for man cannot be forgiven by G-d until he is forgiven by people. Yom Kippur atones for sin against another person only if this person has forgiven the offender and has reconciled with him, even if sin is committed only by words. For this we need to go to that person for reconciliation. But if we believe that reconciliation is easier to achieve with the help of a mediator, we shall send a mediator. In turn, whoever we ask mercy, shall not be cruel, but is obliged to forgive the offender with all his heart, for thus he would manifest the good quality of the Jewish people. Moreover, big merit is to forgive someone who has caused you suffering.

"The one who says: I will sin and repent, and on Yom Kippur will be forgiven — those people are not forgiven on the Day of Judgment. If anyone sinned against G-d, gets no forgiveness on Yom Kippur. If one has sinned against friend, on this day he is not forgiven. He should make up with friend before and be forgiven."

Yom Kippur is celebrated by a very strict 25-hour fast: eating and drinking is prohibited (prohibition does not apply to children, pregnant women and seriously ill people). In addition, you cannot wash (for hygienic purposes only the fingertips are washed), use perfumes, wear leather shoes and have sexual relations. While on this day only that work is permitted if it is aimed at saving human life. "The G-d in his love for Israel gave it commandment to fast one day of the year, so he could atone for his sins, and before that to eat and drink their fill, so the post did not harm them." (Tour, Hilchot Yom Kippur, 604).

A visit to the synagogue on Yom Kippur is obligatory. The service of this feast is the most difficult and solemn of all — with small interruptions it lasts almost all day. A special memorial prayer "Iskor" is read. At the end of Yom Kippur a Voice comes from heaven: "Go eat in joy your bread and drink with a merry heart your wine, for G-d already favors your works", and the feast ends with the sound of one long note played on the shofar.

With the onset of Yom Kippur, we at ICF "Jewish Hesed "Bnei Azriel" wish everyone reconciliation with loved ones and relatives, with those who are dear, let quarrels be forgotten, and our life be filled with peace and calm in today's bright day.

Yom Kipur - Day of Redemption, leading to joy

Comments

Post a comment

See also

Archive

Hot links

Social Cultural Projects

Need assistance

Contact