What Is Yom Kippur?
What is Yom Kippur all about? As a Christian, why should a Jewish holiday matter? Reading further will help us unwrap all that this holiday means for us as well as our Jewish brothers and sisters.
Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the second holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of fasting and repentance. It is the final day of Rosh Hashana or days of awe. Jews believe that on this day, God forgives their sins.
I have another post about Rosh Hashana you can read to give a fuller understanding of these two Jewish high holy days. Together they mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year and decide whether or not a person’s name will be written in the Book of Life.
During this meaningful fast one will focus on the next year in which religious Jews will attempt to be better givers of pardon realizing that the sins of the past year are gone and a fresh start to greater obedience to the ten commandments.
The holiday begins at sundown on the ninth day of the month of Tishrei and ends on the 10th day of Tishrei, on the Jewish calendar. This year (2022), Yom Kippur falls on the evening of October 4 and ends on the evening of October 5 on the Gregorian calendar. Because in the story of creation Moses wrote, “then there was evening and there was morning” and numbers the day, the Jewish people always began the new day around six in the evening. Genesis 1
Yom Kippur is a somber holiday. Jews spend the day in prayer and introspection. They ask forgiveness from God and from those they have wronged, as well as seeking to forgive those who have wronged them.
What Yom Kippur Means for Christians
Yom Kippur is a reminder that we all need forgiveness from God as well as each other. We all need to repent of our sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. And so that our prayers will be answered, we need to forgive all those who have wronged us.
On the day of atonement, the Israelites were required to offer a sacrifice and engage in prayer. As the day of complete forgiveness it was and is considered to be the holiest day of the year.
Leviticus 23: 26-28, 31b The Day of Atonement, The Lord said to Moses, “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to the Lord. Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God. … This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.”
As Christians, we have confidence in the sacrifice of the perfect lamb of God, Jesus.
of the Old Testament.
His only Son, Jesus of the New Covenant
Hebrews 10:8-10 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
What is done in modern times to commemorate this day?
Today, the Day of Atonement is observed by fasting from food and sexual relations. Some may also refrain from applying lotions, bathing, and wearing leather shoes. Prayers of forgiveness, charitable giving, and attending synagogue services may also help ensure their forgiveness. The day of atonement is also a time to reflect on one’s life and set goals for the coming year.
Following a pre-fast meal, there are five prayer services available for attendance. The first, at the beginning of Yom Kippur, then a morning service to begin the tenth day of Tishre, followed by a mid-day service and an afternoon service, culminating at the final prayers of Yom Kippur at the evening service when the blowing of the shofar, or ram’s horn is sounded.
Each of the services has specific prayers that are repeated and rituals performed to remind the Jewish community that ancient times are not to be forgotten as commanded by God in Leviticus 23:31 (above in the New International Version). Forgiveness of fellow human beings and God’s forgiveness are a part of the community responsibility. Confessions of the sins of the community as well as personal sins are imperative for Jewish adults and older children.
What Does The New Testament Say About This?
“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” –Jesus (Matthew 5:22-24 NKJV)
“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15 NKJV)
Jesus did not contradict the Old Testament Word of God in fact, He restated the importance of our acts of forgiveness and their importance. Just as our past mistakes have been atoned for, we must forgive those who have sinned against or wronged us. This was directly stated in Jesus’ example prayer.
Jesus also commented about the continuation of fast days. “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the [a]hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:16-18)
The Final Word
Those of the Jewish faith and Christians have a lot in common when it comes to atonement for sin. However, the differences are vast.
Observant Jews, with Jewish traditions and additional restrictions in order to be forgiven and ‘earn’ their place in God’s favor.
Christians believe that hours of fasting and days of repentance are unnecessary in light of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He was and continues to be the only sacrifice needed for complete forgiveness of all sin.
Both Jews and Christians agree that it is imperative to seek forgiveness from The One God, Creator of all things and all people. And they both believe that we must forgive everyone that has hurt us.
P.S. (Plain and Simple) What is Yom Kippur?
This holiday also reminds us of the great sacrifice that was made for our sins. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, and it points us to the ultimate atonement that was made by Jesus Christ.
When we think about Yom Kippur, let us remember our need for forgiveness and also give thanks for the amazing grace that God has shown us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Resources:
Bible, New King James Version
Bible, New International Version