Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is always on the 10th day of the Hebrew month Tishrei, which falls in September or October on the Gregorian calendar. A period of refraining from certain activities, notably eating and drinking, is important to this time of introspection, when Jews seek to expiate their sins and reconcile with God.

The day before Yom Kippur is marked by sharing meals, lighting candles, offering prayers, giving to charity and blessing children. At sunset, Yom Kippur begins.

No work is done on Yom Kippur, and the focus is on introspection and gathering in the Temple for five prayer services.  

The solemnity of this day is followed by the joy of forgiveness and reconciling with God.  The Shema prayer is loudly proclaimed: “Hear O Israel: God is our Lord, God is one!” The people sing joyfully, and a single note is blown on the shofar. (A shofar is an instrument made from the horn of a kosher animal, usually a ram, or a sheep, goat, antelope or gazelle.)

This is followed by traditional shouts of, “Next year in Jerusalem!” In Judaism, the word “Jerusalem” may have two meanings: a heavenly one, and an earthly one. While the earthly Jerusalem as a physical location is complicated by political and geographical conflicts, the heavenly meaning of Jerusalem expresses hope, solidarity, wholeness, and a return to God.

Whether or not you celebrate Yom Kippur, my prayer for you is that you find wholeness and forgiveness within yourself. You are worthy, just as you are, with no mask required.