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YOM
KIPPUR
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Yom Kippur,
The Day of Atonement, falls on the eve of the tenth day of Tishrei.
That’s when the fast begins too. It’s a big one… twenty-five+
hours!. This year (2025), Yom
Kippur starts at sundown, Wednesday, October
1, and ends Thursday evening, October 2, with the sound of the Shofar.
It is the holiest and
most solemn day of the year, a day of fasting and prayers, and
is only celebrated one day everywhere. (Could you imagine having
to fast two days in a row?).
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KAPPOROT
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A Minhag (custom) observed on the morning before Yom
Kippur is Kapparot (Atonement). (Kapporot
may also be observed on any weekday of the Aseret Yimay Tshuva.)
You purchase a live chicken, (a white rooster for a male and
a white hen for a female), and you revolve the chicken around
your head reciting a prayer asking that the chicken be considered
atonement for your sins. The chicken is then slaughtered and given
to the poor (or its value is given). Kapparot may also
be done with money instead of a chicken.
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EATING
IS ALSO
A YOM
KIPPUR
MITZVA
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While Yom Kippur itself is devoted to fasting, the day before is devoted to eating. The Talmud states that the person "who eats on the ninth of Tishrei (and fasts on the tenth) , it is as if he had fasted both the ninth and tenth." The day is used to concentrate on eating and preparing for the fast.
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EVERYBODY
GOES TO
SHUL ON
YOM
KIPPUR
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Jews all over the world, even those who do not observe any other Jewish custom will (hopefully) refrain from work, fast and go to shul (synagogue) on Yom Kippur.
The holiday is mentioned in Vayikra Ch. 23:26 (et seq).
It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone
for the sins of the past year. In The
Story of Rosh Hashana, we mention the "Books"
in which Hashem inscribes all of our names. On Yom
Kippur, the judgment entered in these "books" is sealed.
This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to
change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.
As noted in The Story of
Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur can only atone for
sins between man and Hashem, not for sins against another
person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first
seek to reconcile with that person, righting the wrongs you committed
against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom
Kippur.
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THE
SHABBAT
THAT IS
YOM
KIPPUR
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Even when Yom Kippur falls on a weekday, Yom Kippur
is a Shabbat, no work can be performed on Yom Kippur.
It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and
drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete,
25+ hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom
Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur.
The Talmud also specifies additional restrictions: washing and bathing,
anointing one's body (with cosmetics, perfumes, etc.), marital relations
and wearing leather shoes. Canvas sneakers or slippers are routinely
seen with dress clothes on Yom Kippur.
As always, any of these restrictions
may be lifted where a threat to life or health is involved. In
fact, children under the age of nine and women in childbirth (from
the time labor begins until three days after birth) are not permitted
to fast, even if they want to. Older children and women from the
third to the seventh day after childbirth are permitted to fast,
but are permitted to break the fast if they feel the need to do
so. People with other illnesses should consult a Rabbi for advice.
A good part of Yom Kippur
is spent in shul (synagogue), in prayer. Services begin
early in the morning (anywhere from 7 to 9 AM) and continue until
the late afternoon. There usually is a small break after which
the afternoon and evening services continue until nightfall. The
services end at nightfall, with the blowing of the Tekia Gedolah,
a long blast of the shofar. See The
Story of Rosh Hashana for more about the shofar
and its characteristic blasts.
It is customary to wear white
on Yom Kippur, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind
the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Is.
1:18). Some men wear a kittel,
the white robe with no pockets, in which jewish dead are buried.
Many wear a white yarmulke.
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YOM
KIPPUR
SERVICES:
KOL NIDRE
click here to hear
KOL NIDREI (MP3)
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Men put
on a Tallit (prayer shawl), not usually worn in the evenings,
for the evening service that begins Yom Kippur. This service
is commonly known as Kol Nidre, named for the prayer that
begins the service. "Kol Nidre" means "all
vows," and in this prayer, we ask Hashem to annul
all personal vows we may make in the next year. It refers only to
vows between the person making them and Hashem, such as
"If I pass this test, I'll listen to whatever my parents tell
me all the time!"
The Kol Nidre emphasizes
the importance in keeping vows, as violating an oath is one of
the worst sins. We take vows so seriously that we consider ourselves
bound even if we make the vows under duress or in times of stress
when we are not thinking straight.
Kol Nidre is repeated
by the Chazzan (cantor) 3 times, each time in a louder
voice. This, explain our sages, is compared to a person who approaches
the king in his chamber. In the beginning, he enters with fear
and awe and speaks in a soft voice. Later, as he gains more confidence
he makes his plea louder. The third time the cantor recites Kol
Nidrei very loud for he has become accustomed to standing
in the presence of the king.
For an inspiring story about one of the most stirring prayers of
the entire Yomim Noraim, - The Unesaneh Tokef
CLICK HERE.
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AL CHET
or VIDUI
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There are many additions
to the regular prayers (there would have to be, to get such a long
service). Perhaps the most important addition is the Al Chet,
or Vidui, the confession of the sins, which is inserted
into each of the five Shemoneh Esrei (Amida) prayers. Note
that all sins are confessed in the plural (we are guilty, we have
done this, we have done that), emphasizing communal responsibility
for sins. Even if we didn't do the sin we mention, we are praying
to Hashem that He forgive others who may have. We also
say Yizkor,
the prayer for the souls of the departed.
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YOM
KIPPUR
AVODAH
(SERVICE)
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Another important addition
to the Yom Kippur service is the poetic rendition of
the Yom Kippur Avodah (service) during the Chazzan's
repetition of the Mussaf Shemoneh Esrei.
Here are the details:
To begin, in the Bait Hamikdash, the Kohain Gadol
runs the Korbanot show on Yom Kippur - the most
important Avodah of the year must be performed by the
holiest of the Kohanim. The Kohain Gadol was
the only one who can enter the Kodesh Hakodoshim - but
ONLY on Yom Kippur, and ONLY to perform the special Avodah.
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DRESSED
TO
FULFILL
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On Yom Kippur the Kohain Gadol wears eight garments.
Four contain gold and four do not.
The garments with gold are:
- Me'il - A coat that has gold bells at the bottom.
- Choshen - The breastplate contains gold thread and
clasps.
- Afod - An apron that's got gold thread and gold shoulder
harnesses.
- Tzitz - A headplate made completely of gold.
On Yom Kippur the Kohain Gadol takes off these four
garments before he enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim. This leaves
him in four white linen garments:
- Michnasayim - white linen pants.
- Kutonet - a long linen shirt.
- Avnait - a belt of linen prepared specially for Yom
Kippur.
- Miznefet - a turban of linen.
On Yom Kippur the Kohain Gadol changes his clothes FIVE
times, and at every change immersed himself in a Mikvah.
Before and after each change he also washes his hands and feet.
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THE
YOM
KIPPUR
LOTTERY
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Two goats are the
stars of this part of the show. The Kohain Gadol stands
in the Azarah (courtyard) with an assistant kohain
to his right and the leader of the kohanim on duty that
week on his left.
You've got two goats, one is going to be dedicated to Hashem
and the other is going to be sent to "Azazel."
- But which will be which?
A box is placed before the Kohain Gadol. It's got only
two wooden lots (pieces of wood) inside, one lot says "L'Hashem"(for
Hashem), the other says "L'Azazel" (for Azazel).
The Kohain Gadol puts both hands into the box and takes
one lot in each hand. The lot in his right hand is placed on the
head of the goat on the right. The lot in the left hand is placed
on the head of the goat on the left.
The Kohain Gadol announces the goat marked "L'Hashem"
will be used as a Korban Chatat. Later, the goat is slaughtered
and its blood is sprinkled in the Kodesh Hakodoshim.
The "L'Azazel" goat is led out to the desert
by a special messenger who is chosen before Yom Kippur.
This messenger's job is to push the goat off a cliff where the
animal will be smashed to the rocks below.
Pretty disturbing, eh? Well, it all goes to wake up Klal
Yisrael (US - you and me) to do Teshuva (repent).
The thought that it should really be us instead of that goat gets
the Teshuva juices going!
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ENTERING
THE
KODESH
HAKODOSHIM
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As we said, the
Kohain Gadol only enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim ONE
day during the year. That is on Yom Kippur.
On Yom
Kippur the Kohain Gadol enters a total of FOUR times:
- The first time he offers a Korban Ketoret (Incense
Offering). This is the highlight of the Yom Kippur Avodah.
- The next time he sprinkles the blood of the bull he personally offers as a
Chatat. The blood is sprinkled eight times before the
Aron Hakodesh (Holy Ark).
- The third time is when the blood of the "L'Hashem"
goat is sprinkled eight times before the Aron Hakodesh.
- The fourth time he enters, is to retrieve the spoon and pan
he left in the Kodesh Hakodoshim after the Korban Ketoret.
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FIRST
TIME -
THE
INCENSE
OFFERING
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Offering the incense is the highlight of the Yom Kippur Avodah.
The Kohain Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim with
a spoonful of Ketoret (incense) in his left hand and a pan
of hot coals in his right. He places the pan on the floor between
the poles in front the Aron Hakodesh. Then, in a rehearsed
feat, he transfers the Ketoret from the spoon into his
two hands.
This is how it's done:
The Kohain Gadol sticks the handle of the spoon under
his right arm and bends over so that the contents spill into his
cupped hands. It's a pretty neat trick but don't take it too lightly
because if he spilled a drop of incense, Hashem might
just zap him dead.
Next, the Kohain Gadol pours the incense from his hands
onto the coals. The smoke from the pan rises straight up to the
ceiling. If the smoke fills the entire Kodesh Hakodoshim
then the Kohain Gadol knows that Hashem has forgiven the
sins of Klal Yisroel (The Jewish People).
The Kohain Gadol then leaves the Kodesh Hakodoshim slowly,
walking backwards. As he enters the Kodesh area he stops
to daven (pray) for a year of plentiful food for all the Jewish People.
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SECOND
TIME -
THE
CHATAT
OFFERING
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The next time the Kohain
Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim, he stands before
the Aron Hakodesh and sprinkles the blood of the bull from
his own Chatat, with his finger. The Kohain Gadol
counts out loud and in an interesting way.
With his finger he sprinkles toward the Aron Hakodesh once
upward and seven times downward, counting loudly.
Again the Kohain Gadol leaves the Kodesh Hakodoshim backwards.
Once he enters the Kodesh he sprinkles some of the bull's
blood and then some of the goat's blood on the Parochet
(curtain) of the Kodesh Hakodoshim, once up and seven
times down, counting loudly.
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THIRD
TIME -
THE
"L'HASHEM"
GOAT
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The third time the Kohain Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim
he stands before the Aron Hakodesh and sprinkles the
blood of the "L'Hashem" goat with his finger
toward the Aron Hakodesh, once upward and seven times downward, counting loudly.
Again the Kohain Gadol leaves the Kodesh Hakodoshim backwards.
Once he enters the Kodesh he sprinkles some of the bull's
blood and then some of the goat's blood on the Parochet
of the Kodesh Hakodoshim, once up and seven times down, counting loudly.
Then he mixes the blood of the goat and the bull and puts some
on the corners of the Incense Altar.
The Kohain Gadol also sprinkles some of the mixture into
the center of the Altar seven times.
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FOURTH
TIME -
CLEAN UP
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The fourth and final
time the Kohain Gadol enters the Kodesh Hakodoshim
on Yom Kippur he collects the spoon and pan used earlier
for the Korban Ketoret.
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LET'S NOT
FORGET
THE
MUSSAF
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Before the Kohain Gadol started with the special Yom
Kippur Korbanot, he has the standard Korbanot that
are offered in the Beit Hamikdash every day as well as
the Mussaf Korbanot to offer.
Besides the daily korbanot, (Tamid and Minchat Chavitin among others),
the Kohain Gadol also brings a Korban Mussaf for
the entire Bnei Yisroel. This consists of a bull, a ram,
seven sheep and a goat.
Then he brings two Korbanot that he pays for personally.
1. He offered a bull as a Korban Chatat.
The Kohain Gadol pushes his hands on the bull's head
and recited Viduy, asking forgiveness for his sins, and
the sins of his family, and the sins of all the Kohanim.
2. A ram is burnt completely as a Korban Olah.
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IN THE NAME
OF
HASHEM
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Only the Kohain Gadol ever pronounces the name of Hashem.
When we daven or read the Torah, we pronounce Hashem's name as
A-doh-noy.
But on Yom Kippur, the Kohain Gadol says the
real thing - Yud Hay Vav Hay. This name is said three
times during each Viduy.
Since the Kohain Gadol says Viduy three times, once
for himself, once for his family and once for all the Kohanim,
that makes nine times that he says Hashem's name. Then after the
Lots are picked, he announces "This goat is L'Hashem."
That "L'Hashem" is also pronounced with Hashem's name,
making it a tenth time.
Whenever the people in the Azara (courtyard) of the Beit
Hamikdash heard the Holy name, they would fall on their faces
and cry out "Baruch Shem K'vod Malchuso L'Olam Vaed - Blessed is the name [of Hashem] whose glorious Kingdom lasts
forever and ever."
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ALL'S
FORGIVEN
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When the entire Avodah is finished there is a
big sigh of relief.
Throughout history many a Kohain Gadol has gone into the
Kodesh Hakodoshim and not come out. If a Kohain Gadol
makes it through the entire Avodah in one piece, it's a
sure sign that he's doing something right and that Hashem will
forgive Klal Yisroel for their sins.
As the Kohain Gadol leaves the Beit Hamikdash, the crowds
kiss his hand to show their gratefulness. When he gets home he
invites friends and family to a feast and they share the joy of a successful day.
Now, since we don't have the Beit Hamikdash, and a Kohain
Gadol to pray for us, we recite the Yom Kippur Avodah
in the Mussaf prayers of Yom Kippur with the hope that next year we will be doing the Avodah in the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim.
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JONAH
AND THE
WHALE
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During the afternoon Mincha
services, we read the entire Book of Jonah, which teaches us that
you can't run away from Hashem, and that Hashem
always accepts Teshuva (repentance) even from an entire
city of sinners.
 The
story is about the Navi (Prophet) Jonah, who is told
by Hashem to go to Nineveh and teach the people there
to do Teshuva, otherwise Hashem will destroy
the city. Jonah does not want to go, and tries to run away from
Hashem by boarding a boat going to Tarshish. On the way
to Tarshish, a great storm arises, tossing the ship about. Jonah
asks to be thrown overboard as he knows the storm is only because
of him. Sure enough, as soon as he is thrown overboard, the storm
stops.
When Jonah is thrown into the sea, he is swallowed by a great
fish, where he prays to Hashem and is forgiven. On Hashem's
orders, the fish carries Jonah to the shore, and he heads towards
Nineveh. In Nineveh Jonah tells the people Hashem's message.
They listen to Jonah and do Teshuva.
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NE'ILAH
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The concluding service of Yom Kippur, known as Ne'ilah, is one unique to the day. Ne'ilah offers a final opportunity for repentance. It usually runs an hour or longer (depending on how tired the Chazzan is). It is the only service of the year during which the doors to the Aron Hakodesh ( the Holy Ark where the Torah scrolls are stored) remain open from the beginning to end of the service, signifying that the gates of Heaven are open at this time. Because the Aron Hakodesh is open, many people stand throughout the service. There is a tone of desperation in the prayers of this service. The service is also referred to as the closing of the gates; think of it as the "last chance" to get in a good word before Yom Kippur ends. The Ne'ilah service closes with the verse, said 7 times, Hashem Hu Ho-elokim "(Hashem - only He is G-d)."
The Ne'ilah service ends with one very long blast of the shofar and the congregation proclaims - Shema Yisroel.... and L'shono Ha-ba-ah Bi-yerushalayim - "Next year in Yerushalayim."
After Yom Kippur, one should begin preparing for the next Yom
Tov (holiday), Sukkot,
which begins at sundown four days later.
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