Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement

Street scene in Daugavpils (Latvia) during Yom Kipper; the Jewish community in Daugavpils, is centuries old.

And this should be unto a law for all time: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall practice self-denial; and shall do no manner of work, neither the citizen not the alien who resides among you.

For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins, you shall be clean before the Lord.

It shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall practice self-denial; it is a law for all time.

Leviticus 16:29-31 (Torah)

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) in a synagogue in London, England, in 1929.

Yom Kippur always occurs after the last days of Rosh Hashanah or what is considered as the last of the days of awe, every year. As to the Jewish calendar this observance is the tenth day of Tishri. This is a day mainly of fasting, no work and prayer.

In a more shortened version, the first Yom Kippur occurred by Jewish tradition at the time of Moses, when he received the Commandments from God. As the sins that where occurring against God, less we forget the idolatry of the golden calf and God became very angry; as did Moses.

The Jewish people repented of there sins by fasting from sunrise to sunset for forgiveness and having truly repented, God forgave them.

This is why it was said Moses went upon Mt Sinai twice, for the anger of sin the first time the tablets where broken and the forgiveness the second time.

While in more modern times, some people believe in the three strike rule, God doesn’t and it is reminded by the observance of this particular day.

As it has been documented in history, that the Palestinian people where with the Jewish people at the time of this occurrence, the Palestinian people did not take part in the situation with the golden calf and this is why the observance of Yom Kippur has never applied to the Palestinian people.

Instead, the Palestinian people have always had heartfelt feelings for the Jewish people on this particular day; as is reminded to myself, by teachings from my mother many years ago.