![]() Thus we ask for one more year in which to continue this journey of change and improvement. The act of atonement makes the claim that as human beings we are able to change and improve ourselves. ![]() Once the attempt has been made to confront and repent for misdeeds, the individual presents his or her “case” before God. This element of the day often leads to difficult self-assessments and personal accountability for the choices made in the previous year. Yom Kippur will address the impact that deed had on your relationship with God, but without the personal apology, the deed remains uncorrected. To atone for deeds committed against another person, Jewish tradition teaches, you must confront that person directly and apologize. There are two distinct relationships in Judaism: person to person and person to God. Its haunting melody marks the start of the fast and sets the tone for the next 24 hours.Īlthough Yom Kippur addresses both individual and communal sins, it is not a vehicle through which one corrects an injustice between individuals. The evening begins with the prayer of Kol Nidre, which absolves the individual of unfulfilled personal vows between the individual and God for the coming year. ![]() These prayers mention both individual and communal sins and make up a large portion of the prayer services on Yom Kippur. The Torah specifically connects the concept of atonement with this day and that connection has remained central.Ītonement: The idea of atonement includes accepting responsibility for our actions through prayers of confession. It is one of the major fasts in Judaism, meaning it begins at sundown and continues to the following sundown. Yom Kippur is mentioned in the Torah and described as a day upon which we are to “afflict our souls.” This phrase has been interpreted by the rabbis to include prohibitions against eating, drinking, bathing, wearing leather shoes and sexual cohabitation. On Yom Kippur we make our final plea to God. These decrees are sealed on Yom Kippur and the intervening 8-day period, the Ten Days of Repentance, are the window of opportunity for the human dynamic to influence the Divine decrees. Divine decisions are made on Rosh Hashanah, when all of humanity stands in judgment. The Book of Life is closing on this day.Ĭycle of the Year: The sequence of events in the cycle of the Jewish year starts with Rosh Hashanah and continues through the next 10 days to culminate with Yom Kippur. In other words, decisions of life and death, peace and prosperity have all been decided and are now sealed. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, occurs on the 10th day of Tishrei, 10 days after Rosh Hashana. Jewish tradition believes that on this day God places a seal upon the Divine decrees affecting each person for the coming year.
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