Yom Kippur is Hebrew for the Day of Atonement. To atone means to cover—as in the blood covering over sin. Held ten days after Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Atonement was and is considered the holiest day of the year (Leviticus 23:26-32). It was this day and this day only that the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) went into the Tabernacle/Temple’s Holy of Holies. Here he placed the sacrificial blood on the Ark of the Covenant to make atonement for the Nation of Israel. Leviticus 16 goes into great detail about the ceremony.
The symbolisms of God’s grace and mercy, and most especially what Yeshua/Jesus would do thousands of years later, are worthy of study. Of all the Biblical Feasts, only Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and prayer. Breaking the fast occurs at sundown.
It’s clear why the Day of Atonement is considered the holiest day of the year. For us as Believers in the eternal High Priest Yeshua/Jesus, this day is a beautiful reminder of His sacrifice. According to Hebrews Chapters 3-10, Yeshua, as High Priest, brought His own blood to the heavenly Ark of the Covenant and sprinkled it there as an eternal atonement for those who accept Him. Hebrews 9:16-28 is one of the most beautiful images of how Yeshua fulfilled that commandment of God—not only on earth, but also in heaven.
During the Yom Kippur Service, we will be having a Yizkor (Remembrance) Service to remember our dear loved ones who have passed on. Proverbs 10:7 says, “The memory of the righteous is a blessing.” We will also be celebrating the Messiah’s Supper.
You will also want to read the Rabbi’s Blog on Yom Kippur. It’s called the Miracles of Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur Video – This video clip, which was produced especially for the Jewish High Holidays, shows the IDF Chief Cantor and IDF Soldiers singing the prayer “Unetanneh Tokef” in the Great Synagogue in Tel Aviv. This prayer is part of the liturgy recited on Yom Kippur, which concerns God determining who will die and who will live in the coming year. This video features footage of the Yom Kippur War and one of its heroes, Brig. Gen. (res.) Avigdor Kahalani, who was a battalion commander in the Armored Brigade, fought in the battle of the Valley of Tears, and was awarded a Medal of Valor.