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YOM KIPPUR: Day of Atonement

On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement...for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the Lord your God...You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at the evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your sabbath.

Leviticus 23: 27-28, 31-32 (NAS)

On Yom Kippur, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the temple with the sin offering. It was a day of cleansing the temple, the priesthood and the Nations.  Thus Yom Kippur is considered to be the Holiest day in the Biblical year.

Observance of this day atones for our transgressions against God. It is on this day that we are to re-prioritize our lives, focusing on what really matters.  In the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it is Jewish custom to seek forgiveness from family, friends and acquaintances for any harm or insult we may have done them during the year. It is also customary to give extra Tzedakah (charity) during this period of time.

Traditional observance requires sacrifice from all God's people. It is manifested by following these restrictions:
no food or drink
no washing
no applying oils or lotions (superficial pleasures)
no marital relations
no leather shoes (symbolizing superficial material things)

Fasting from sundown to sundown is one of the most important Mitzvot leading to atonement. However, there are exceptions made for reasons of health. Those who are ill, pregnant or nursing are exempt from fasting. Children under the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah are also not required to fast.  The last meal before observance of Yom Kippur should be a festive one, but not one of overindulgence.

In the synagogue, Yom Kippur services begin with the singing of the Kol Nidrei to signal the start of prayers. The Ark is opened and the Torah scrolls removed. The last part of the service is called Neilah, or Locking the Gates. Heaven's Gates were opened to the righteous on Rosh Hashanah, and remained open to receive our prayers for forgiveness. At the conclusion of Yom Kippur, the Gates are locked and judgement of each individual is now sealed for the year.

Finally, the Shofar HaGadol, the Great Trump is blown. 

And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out of the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. (RSV)

Isaiah 27:13 (RSV)

...and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:31

In Messianic understanding, Yeshua (Jesus) was the sin offering for world redemption. He was sacrificed as was the Asazel goat during the time of the Temple, in order to redeem us.
Isaiah 53:1-6
Hebrews 2:17
1John 2:2, 4:10

God gave the casting of lots between the sacrificial goats during Yom Kippur to teach future judgement of the Nations of the world. At the coming of the Messianic (Millenium) Age, the Nations will be judged according to their treatment of the Jews.

Matthew 25:31-46

Bet Ami gathers to observe Yom Kippur, beginning mid-morning. Many people dress in white or light colors, symbolizing the simple linen garments of the High Priest as he entered the Holy of Holies. The day is spent in prayer, readings, and repentance. At the end of the day, there is sometimes music and dance before we break our fast.

Yom Kippur is a time of reflection and repentance. We should seek to become more faithful to God's instruction, with a deeper understanding of Torah to guide our lives.