Rabbi Eli Hecht: Yom Kippur – A Day of Faith a Orthodox View
9:56:PM Thursday, Sep 16, 2010
Yes indeed, it’s that time of year again. Members of the Jewish faith annually gather in houses of worship for the holy day, Yom Kippur for a day of atonement. This day is considered the holiest day of the Jewish religion. The name, Yom Kippur, literally means a day of cleansing or wiping clean. By evoking this aspect of cleansing ourselves from sins and past transgressions, man is forgiven and given a new lease on life. It is a time to strengthen or re–establish our faith in G–d.
The significance of being the holiest day of the year causes all Jews from many different practices and walks of life to come together and devote themselves to their spiritual needs. The service in the synagogue starts before sunset of the proceeding day. It usually runs until late in the evening and resumes during the following daytime. It is a day of self–examination. No food or drink is taken. Faith is the message of the day and dedication is the act.
Historically it was only once a year that Jews would gather in Jerusalem and pray with the high priest, called a Kohain Gadol. Special ceremonial practices and clothing were used on this day. When the Jewish nation lived in Israel they would flock to the holy city of Jerusalem and pray to G–d. Since the Jewish Temple was destroyed in the year 69, a gathering at the Temple is no longer held. Instead, Jews the world over pray for atonement either in their home or synagogue.
This year Yom Kippur will begin Friday evening, September 17 and continue through September 18. You can be sure that many Jewish people will be in synagogue for at least this day. Miraculous results for people who have faith are repeated for many. The common denominator that pulls together people during wars and suffering is faith. When faith survives intact, faith endures. Faith provides structure and depth to our lives. Faith is our support. Faith reminds us that we are humans and that as humans we have problems. Faith helps smooth them over. We need faith. Faith puts our confidence in a Higher Power.
So This Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, my family, friends and I will be in prayer strengthening our faith. With faith we can take care of our problems, the problems of our homeless, our governments and our children.