Yom
Kippur commemorates the day that G-d forgave the Jewish people for the
sin of the golden calf. Forty days after hearing G-d say at Mount
Sinai, "You shall not have the gods of others in My presence; you shall
not make for yourself a graven image," the Jews committed the cardinal
sin of idolatry. Moses spent nearly three months on top of the mountain
pleading with G-d for forgiveness, and on the tenth of Tishrei it was
finally granted; "I have pardoned, as you have requested.
From
that moment on, this date, henceforth known as the Day of Atonement, is
annually observed as a commemoration of our special relationship with
G-d, a relationship that is strong enough to survive any rocky bumps it
might encounter. This is a day when we connect with the very essence of
our being, which remains faithful to G-d regardless of our outward
behavior.
And
while it is the most solemn day of the year, we are also joyful,
confident that G-d will forgive our sins and seal our verdict for a year
of life, health, and happiness.
For
nearly twenty-six hours - from several minutes before sunset on Tishrei
9 until after nightfall on Tishrei 10 - we "afflict our souls", we
abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies, do not
wear leather footwear, and abstain from spousal intimacy. We are
likened to the angels, who have no physical needs. Instead of focusing
on the physical, we spend much of our day in the synagogue, engaged in
repentance and prayer.
On
the day before Yom Kippur, the primary mitzvah is to eat and drink in
abundance. Two festive meals are eaten, one earlier in the day, and one
just prior to the onset of Yom Kippur. Some of the day's other
observances include requesting and receiving honey cake, in
acknowledgement that we are all recipients in G-d's world and in
prayerful hope for a sweet year; begging forgiveness from anyone whom we
may have wronged during the past year; giving extra charity; and the
ceremonial blessing of the children.
Before
sunset, women and girls light holiday candles, and everyone makes
their way to the synagogue for the Kol Nidrei services.
In the course of Yom Kippur, we will hold five prayer services from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening:
Maariv, with its solemn Kol Nidrei service, on the eve of Yom Kippur
Shacharit - the morning prayer
Musaf, which includes a detailed account of the Yom Kippur Temple Service
Minchah, which includes the reading of the Book of Jonah
Neilah
("locking") prayer. Finally, in the waning hours of the day, we reach
the climax of the day: the fifth prayer, the Gates of Heaven, which were
open all day, will now be closed - with us on the inside. During this
prayer we have the ability to access the most essential level of our
soul. the Holy Ark remains open throughout.
The
closing Neilah service climaxes in the resounding cries of "Hear O
Israel...G-d is one." Then joy erupts in song and dance followed by a
single blast of the shofar, and the proclamation:
"Next year in Jerusalem!!"
Amen!! G"Mar Hatima Tova!!
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