The high holidays. Every Jew knows about them and it’s usually the only time most Jews go to any type of service. These  are big events, that is, Rosh Hashanah and, especially, Yom Kippur. Many irreligious Jews fast even to some degree on Yom  Kippur. Whatever one has done for the other 364 days of the year, Jewish people all over the world typically set this  day aside as a day to dress up, attend services, fast (some or all), and ask God for forgiveness. Of course, breaking the fast  is really where it’s at when all get together and celebrate the end of the solemnity and eat bagels and lox for dinner.

Yom Kippur has become the pinnacle really for the modern Jewish calendar. Yes, the Torah does ascribe to this day great  awesomeness, even calling it a Shabbat Shabbaton (Lev 16:31, 23:32), loosely translated as a super Shabbat. On this day  we “afflict our souls,” traditionally meaning to fast, and, in the days of the Temple, the high priest would engage in his  biggest and most important work day. If all went well, God would forgive and cleanse the priesthood, the people, and the Temple. Once this day was over it surely would be a time to celebrate as God’s mercy has been poured out again.

Read the full article here: October ’23 Issue 25