Holy Daze: Yom Kippur (September 25-26, 2012) – Judaism
Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, considered the holiest day of the year, is the Day of Atonement. It occurs on the 10th day of Tishri (the seventh month of Jewish year). It is a day to atone for the sins of the past year. A ritual fast is performed for 25 hours beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending the following night. Eating, drinking and sexual relations are prohibited, as well as bathing or anointing the body with such things are perfumes or deodorants.
Another rite historically performed and alluded to in the Bible is the casting of sins by driving a goat into the wilderness. In this rite, a high priest would confess the sins of Israel onto the goat before sending it into the wilderness. This also may be where the term “scapegoat” originates.
As usual, I’ve found some interesting supplements to my brief introduction of this holiday. Check out the videos and links below if you’re interested in learning a bit more about this sacred holiday.
M. xo
Yom Kippur: Overboard (Jonah’s song)
Huffington Post: Yom Kippur Explained (including video and photo gallery)
Image source: Wikimedia Commons