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rosh hashana, yom kippur, sukkot, simchat torah, shmini atzeret,chanukah,hanukkah,purim,pesach,passover,shavuot, lag ba'omer,tisha b'av |
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Yom Kippur
By: Rivka C. Berman, Contributor
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A Day of Holiness
 Yom Kippur
is the holiest day in the Jewish Year. Though its principal theme is
that of atonement, Yom Kippur is also a holiday.
On Yom Kippur the “Books of Judgment” are sealed, having had our deeds
recorded on Rosh Hashanah in the Heavenly court. Yom Kippur, the Day of
Atonement, combines the elements of remorse and confession, all
expressed though prayers and fasting per the biblical command "you shall
afflict your souls" (Lev. 23:23-32).
Yom Kippur is also celebrating according to tradition the descent of
Moses from Mount Sinai with the second set of the Tablets of Stone,
forty days after the collective sin of the Golden Calf. This time, the
nation of Israel welcomed him with joy.
Additionally, in the time of the Temple, the Jews celebrated the
successful emergence of the High Priest from the Holy of Holies, the
holiest sanctuary, after he atoned for the entire community. The
atmosphere of jubilation also lent itself to a ambiance of joy, and
stimulated hope and thinking of a good future. Hence, it was customary
for potential grooms to choose their future brides.
In honor of the holiday (Yom Tov) it is customary to wear Shabbat
(festive) clothes and to prepare the house as we would for Shabbat and
other festivals.
Mazor Guide for Yom Kippur brings you much more about
the holiday, its meaning and its traditions... See the links below.
Articles
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