Yom Kippur - יום כיפור

Rabbi

The Day of Atonement:

There is something about Yom Kippur that carries the energy of healing and forgiveness, which touches on the deeply human need for the release of guilt and resentment. It is the ideal time to remember that all human beings make mistakes. The important thing is to continually review our lives, learn and grow.

Since we already atoned for our sins against others (illegal, hurtful, deceitful behaviour) and ourselves (hiding behind addictive behaviour or bringing harm to ourselves) in the period before and during Rosh Hashana and the Ten Days of Awe, the actual day of Yom Kippur is reserved for atoning for our sins against G-d (making a vow that we can’t keep or violating ritual law).

G-d forgives us if we have both repented (an emotional ‘turning’ resulting in a retargeting of our lives) and atoned (made amends/reparation) for any wrongs. We can’t just go out and sin believing that G-d will forgive us next Yom Kippur. The day should be seen as an opportunity to change, grow and develop.

Traditions

No luxurious bathing (necessary washing with cold water to remove dirt ok).
No fragrances or moisturiser.
No wearing of leather.
No intimate relations.
No eating or drinking for 25 hours (from sundown to just after sundown)

(Fasting does not apply to the unwell, pregnant/those recovering from birth, or those under the age of 12 for girls/13 for boys).

Regular Shabbat restrictions apply, as Yom Kippur is considered to be the “Shabbat of Shabbats”.
Yartzheit candles are lit to remember immediate family members who have died.
No wearing of gold jewellery as on this day we do not want to be reminded of our past sin of the golden calf.

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