Yom Kipper

“On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement” it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your soul…”. Lev. 23:27
Yom Kippur, means the Day of Atonement (at – one – ment) with G-d, and comes on the tenth day of Tishri (Oct.) It is the climax of ten days of repentance. What was begun on Rosh Hashanah is about to be sealed. ‘Prepare to meet your G-d, O Israel’. (Amos 4:12).
The Law codes tell us that Atonement Day should have gladness in it. White vestments for the worshippers, to symbolize confidence in a renewal of purity through the mercy of G-d. But since the fall of Jerusalem any gaiety that was in Yom Kippur had faded. Now Atonement Day is a time of mordant grieving melodies, of bowed heads and wrung hearts and afflicting their souls. Afflicting one’s soul traditionally means five abstentions: form eating and drinking, from sex, from bathing, from anointing the body with oil (the Oriental hygienic practice).
People have ten days in which to search their acts, repent of misdeeds, perform good works to alter and balance as it stands, pledge themselves to better conduct, and throw themselves on the Judge’s mercy in prayer. Yom Kippur, the last of these days of grace, is a crisis of confession and repentance. As the sun sinks to the horizon, the scrolls of fate roll shut. The destinies of all people for the coming year are sealed. The annual judgment ends at sundown with a last blast of the shofar. In this one image all the rites and themes of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur merge.
There will be a day of final judgment, and ‘if there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off.’ (Lev. 23:29). ‘And if anyone’s name will not be found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.’ (Rev. 20:15). According to Hebrew tradition, G-d is keeping good records. He offers to forgive us. The book is symbolically sealed on Yom Kippur, reminding us that one day it will be sealed forever.
This is a single day in the year that has been set apart by G-d as special. It celebrates out at-oneness with Him. It was ordained it the Old Covenant. How much greater is our reason to remember it now? ‘Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life shall come in.’ (Rev. 21:27).
It is customary that before Yom Kippur right relationships be re-established, personal problems be resolved and disputes settled with the people around you. Y’Shua taught this principle in the L-rd’s prayer. (Matt. 6:14-15). It is also the Hebrew custom for parents to bless their children on the day before Yom Kippur.
You now have fife days to build your Sukkah, start by drawing up your plans or choosing a location.
A Jewish history meat symbolizes the stern judgment of G-d, while the dough symbolizes the mercy that accompanies G-d’s justice. This is a traditional food served at Yom Kipper. It is still true that ‘mercy triumphs over judgment’. (James 2:13).
Day of Atonement is the one feast that is not fulfilled by the church; because the church owes no atonement…the church was exonerated through the Messiah. (Zech. 12:10; 13:6). But the atonement will be accepted, G-d will have at long last ended His separation from Israel, His original wife.