Yom HaKippurim, or ‘Day of Atonement,’ is the holiest day of the year. It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, corresponding to a date in late September or early October.
For most people who celebrate the Day of Atonement, it is primarily centered on reconciliation and repentance. The day’s main observances consist of fasting and asceticism, both accompanied by extended prayers and sin confessions.
asceticism- the practice of the denial of physical or psychological desires in order to attain a spiritual ideal or goal.
In the Old Testament, the high priest made an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement. This act of paying the penalty for sin brought reconciliation (a restored relationship) between the people and God.
Leviticus 16 : 29 -31
29 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. 31 It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.
The Bible tells us that observing the “Day of Atonement,” is a lasting or permanent ordinance.
32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.
In the past the priest who was ordained to succeed his father as high priest was to make atonement for all of Yisroel. Today, as we acknowledge that Yisroel does not exist as a nation or a people, we must begin to carry on these traditions ourselves as best we can. Teaching YWYH laws and ordinances to our families and children.
34 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.”
And it was done, as the Lord commanded Moses.
God declares to Israel that the Day of Atonement is a perpetual statute that should be observed throughout our generations in all our dwelling places. God intended for this ordinance to continue on throughout generations.
Yom Kippur is between late September and early October.
Leviticus 23 :26 – 32
26 The Lord said to Moses, 27 “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. 28 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. 29 Those who do not deny themselves on that day must be cut off from their people. 30 I will destroy from among their people anyone who does any work on that day. 31 You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. 32 It is a day of sabbath rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath.”
To deny yourselves means to eat or drink nothing from sundown to sundown. Do no work, it is a day of sabbath rest.
