Eli recently completed his MA at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, focusing on the Bible .Nowadays, he teaches Bible, Jewish Philosophy and Mathematics in ”The Beit Hinuch high school” in Jerusa
September 20th, 2009 12:46 PM ET

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the tenth day of the month of Tishri. It is the holiest day of the Jewish year. On this day, God seals our fate for the coming year. The entire day is spent fasting and praying to God for forgiveness and a good year.

In the Bible
In the Bible Yom Kippur calls the day Yom HaKippurim , as mentioned in the book of Leviticus 23:26-28-

" וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר אַךְ בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי הַזֶּה יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים הוּא, מִקְרָא-קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם, וְעִנִּיתֶם, אֶת-נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם; וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה, לַיהוָה. וְכָל-מְלָאכָה לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ, בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה: כִּי יוֹם כִּפֻּרִים, הוּא, לְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם"

"The LORD said to Moses, "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the LORD by fire. Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God"

Yom Kippur customs

On Yom Kippur, it is custom to feast on the day before Yom Kippur. Feasting on this day for the sake of having strength to properly fast and pray on Yom Kippur is considered as one actually fasted on two days.

.According to sages of blessed memory in Tractate Yoma five things are forbidden on Yom Kippur: eating, drinking, wearing leather shoes, using creams or oils and having sexual intercourse.

However, children not yet bar or bat-mitzvah, women who are pregnant or nursing, and anyone who is sick, may eat and drink as needed.On Yom Kippur it is custom to wear white cloth. Also, before the father goes to the synagogue, he blesses his children.

The concluding service of Yom Kippur, known as Ne'ilah, is one unique to the day. The ark is kept open throughout this service, thus you must stand throughout the service. The service is sometimes referred to as the closing of the gates. The service ends with a very long blast of the shofar.

Main phrases of the post + transcription + translation

Hebrew                               Transcription                        Translation
צוֹם                                       tsôm                                  Fast
יוֹם כִּפּוּר                                Yôm kippûr                           The day of atonement
חֲכָמֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה              Hăkāmênû zikrônām librākāh sages of blessed memory
נַעַל                                      Na'al                                     Shoe

Eli@eteachergroup.com

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About this blog
A blog for people who wants to know the Bible through the window of the original Hebrew to gain a deeper understanding of the text.