What is Yom Kippur?
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 1.2.26
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the happiest day of the Jewish calendar. It is the day of forgiveness, where God forgives sins.
A day of forgiveness
- Yom Kippur allows a Jew to start again each year.
- It is celebrated with a 25 hour fast.
- Most of the day is spent in prayer in the synagogue.
- Prayers focus on confessing personal sins and those of the community.
- Jews believe only God can forgive a sin committed against Him.
- If a Jew has wronged another Jew they must confess to God and ask for forgiveness.
Preparing for Yom Kippur
- During the prayers the community read a detailed description of the magnificent service that used to be held in the Temple on this day.
- Jews also do not wear leather shoes or wash.
- These activities focus on the physical comfort of the body and this day is all about perfecting and improving the relationship with God.
- In preparation for this holy day Jews will wash and eat a big meal beforehand.
The origin of Yom Kippur
- The details of the Temple service are described in the third book of the Torah and in the Talmud.
- The origin story of Yom Kippur is the day Moses came down Mount Sinai the final time after God forgave the people for worshipping the Golden Calf.
- The 10th day of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar became the national day of forgiveness.
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