Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement

 

Introduction

This holy day falls on 10 Tishrei: the tenth day of the seventh month in the ecclesiastical year and of the first month in the civil year. In the Gregorian calendar, this day would fall between September and October. In a bountiful year, this holy day takes place just after the freshly threshed wheat kernels have been gathered, the gleaning grapes and olives have ripened, and when the grape harvest is concluding with it's final treading and cutting down of briers and thorn vine branches. While no firstfruits are required for offering on this holy day, a sacrifice is.  Additionally, this day is associated with the culturally Jewish wedding and the time of the prophesied marriage supper.

Signs of the Time

This holy day falls on 1 Tishrei; the seventh month in the ecclesiastical year and the first month in the civil year. In the Gregorian calendar, this day would fall between September and October. Being the first day of the month, this day is always on a new moon. Additionally, in a bountiful year, this holy day takes place when wheat harvest is still being threshed, the ripe grapes are being harvested, and the olives begin to emerge in the flower. While no firstfruits are required for offering on this holy day, scripture shows the spiritual correlation with the ripening olive harvest.

Historical Names & References

There are many names associated with this holy day. Here is a list of them: (Read Verses)

Day of Atonement

Leviticus 23:27-28 KJV - "27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God."

Leviticus 25:9 KJV - "Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land."

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Day of Judgment

Matthew 10:15 KJV - "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Matthew 11:22, 24 KJV - "22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. ... 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."

Matthew 12:36 KJV - "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

Mark 6:11 KJV - "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."

2 Peter 2:9 KJV - "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:"

2 Peter 3:7 KJV - "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."

1John 4:17 KJV - "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world."

Day of (the LORD'S) Wrath

Ezekiel 7:19 KJV - "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."

Zephaniah 1:15, 18 KJV - "15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, ... 18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."

Romans 2:5 KJV - "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;"

Revelation 6:17 KJV - "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

Day of (his) (the LORD'S) (Fierce) Anger

Isaiah 13:13 KJV - "Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger."

Lamentations 1:12 KJV - "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger."

Lamentations 2:1 KJV - "How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!"

Zephaniah 2:2 KJV - "Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you."

Day of (the LORD'S) Vengeance

Isaiah 34:8 KJV - "For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion."

Isaiah 61:2 KJV - "To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;"

Jeremiah 46:10 KJV - "For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates."

Day of Slaughter

Jeremiah 12:3 KJV - "But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter."

Day of Indignation

Ezekiel 22:24 KJV - "Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation."

Day of (thick) Darkness, Gloominess, & Clouds

Joel 2:2 KJV - "A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations."

Zephaniah 1:15 KJV - " That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,"

Day of Trouble, Distress, Wasteness & Desolation

Zephaniah 1:15 KJV - "That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,"

Day of the LORD'S Sacrifice

Zephaniah 1:8 KJV - "And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel."

Day of the Trumpet and Alarm

Zephaniah 1:16 KJV - "A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers."

Day of his Coming

Malachi 3:2 KJV - "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:"

Day of Visitation

1 Peter 2:12 KJV - "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

Day of Redemption

Ephesians 4:30 KJV - "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

Day of (our) (the) LORD/Jesus/Christ

1 Corinthians 1:8 KJV - "Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV - "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

2 Corinthians 1:14 KJV - "As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus."

Philippians 1:6, 10 KJV - "6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: ... 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;"

Philippians 2:16 KJV - "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."

2 Thessalonians 2:2 KJV - "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

2 Peter 3:10 KJV - "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

The/That Great Day

Zephaniah 1:14 KJV - "The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."

Jude 1:6 KJV - "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

Revelation 6:17 KJV - "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

Revelation 16:14 KJV - "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

• “Yom Kippur”/"Yom HaKippurim" (lit. “Day of Atonement/s”)

• “Day of Atonement” (Lev. 23:27-28; 25:9 -KJV)

• “Day of Judgment” (Mat. 10:15, 11:22, 24, 12:36; Mar. 6:11; 2Pe. 2:9, 3:7; 1Jo 4:17-KJV)

• “Day of (the LORD'S) Wrath” (Eze. 7:19; Zep. 1:15, 18; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 6:17 -KJV)

• “Day of (his) (the LORD'S) (Fierce) Anger” (Isa 13:13; Lam. 1:12, 2:1; Zep. 2:2 -KJV)

• “Day of (the LORD'S) Vengeance” (Isa. 34:8, 61:2; Jer. 46:10 -KJV)

• “Day of Slaughter” (Jer. 12:3 -KJV)

• “Day of Indignation” (Eze. 22:24 -KJV)

• “Day of (thick) Darkness/Gloominess/Clouds” (Joel 2:2; Zep. 1:15 -KJV)

• “Day of Trouble/Distress/Wasteness/Desolation” (Zep. 1:15 -KJV)

• “Day of the LORD'S Sacrifice” (Zep. 1:8 -KJV)

• “Day of the Trumpet and Alarm” (Zep. 1:16 -KJV)

• “Day of his Coming” (Mal. 3:2 -KJV)

• “Day of Visitation” (1Pe. 2:12 -KJV)

• “Day of God” (2Pe. 3:12; Rev. 16:14 -KJV)

• “Day of Redemption” (Eph. 4:30 -KJV)

• “Day of (our) (the) LORD/Jesus/Christ” (1Co. 1:8, 5:5; 2Co. 1:14; Phl. 1:6,10, 2:16; 2Th. 2:2; 2Pe. 3:10 -KJV)

• “(The) (That) Great Day” (Zep. 1:14; Jde 1:6; Rev 6:17, 16:14) 

• “Shabbat Shabbaton” (Alt. "Sabbath of Sabbaths"; culturally applied)   

Most notably, the Hebrew name for this holy day is Yom Kippur. In English it is most notably known as Day of Atonement. Judgment Day, is also commonly used, as it is the Day in which Judgment is made; for good and evil.

Ancient Ordinance

God commanded his people to keep a holy convocation for afflicting their souls.

Leviticus 16:29 KJV - "And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:" (Read in context 16:1-34)

Leviticus 16:34 KJV - "And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses."

Leviticus 23:27-28, 32 KJV - "27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. ... 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath."

Numbers 29:7 KJV - "And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:"

Historical Observance

Ancient Observance

While there are no detailed instructions in scripture concerning the convocation of observing all Israelites, observance details can be found for the Levitical priesthood:

SABBATH & AFFLICTION (FASTING)

Leviticus 16:29, 31 KJV - "29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: ...31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever."

Leviticus 23:28-32 KJV - "28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. 29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath."

Numbers 29:7 KJV - "And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:

Zechariah 7:5 KJV - "Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?"

HIGH PRIEST & ATONING PURPOSE

Leviticus 16:30, 32-33 KJV - "30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. ... 32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: 33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation."

Leviticus 23:28 KJV - "And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God."

Leviticus 16:17 KJV - "And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel."

HIGH PRIEST FIRST WASHING & CLOTHING

​Leviticus 16:4 KJV - "He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on."

BRINGING IN THE SIN OFFERINGS

​Leviticus 16:3, 5 KJV - "3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. ... 5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering."

HIGH PRIEST BULLOCK BLOOD OFFERING & INCENSE

​Leviticus 16:6 KJV - "And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house."

Leviticus 16:11-14 KJV - "11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself: 12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: 13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not: 14 And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times."

Leviticus 16:18-19 KJV - "18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. 19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel."

Leviticus 17:11 KJV - "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."

CONGREGATION GOAT BLOOD OFFERING & SCAPEGOAT

​Leviticus 16:7-10 KJV - "7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness."

Leviticus 16:15-16, 18-19 KJV - "15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. ...18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about. 19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel."

Leviticus 16:20-22 KJV - "20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: 22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness."

HIGH PRIEST SECOND WASHING & CLOTHING

​Leviticus 16:26 KJV - "And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp."

Leviticus 16:23-24 KJV - "23 And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there: 24 And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people."

BURNING THE OFFERINGS & LIBATION

​Leviticus 16:24-25 KJV - "24 And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people. 25 And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar."

Numbers 29:8-11 KJV - "8 But ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD for a sweet savour; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year; they shall be unto you without blemish: 9 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals to a bullock, and two tenth deals to one ram, 10 A several tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 11 One kid of the goats for a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings."

BURNING & DISPOSING REMAINS

​Leviticus 16:27 KJV - "And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung."

WASHING OF THE DISPOSER

​Leviticus 16:28 KJV - "And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp."

SOUNDING THE SHOFAR (Every 50 years)

​Leviticus 25:9 KJV - "Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land."

This is the second of the two “High Holy Days” and the holiest day of the year. 

The High Holy Days/ Days of Awe

Recall that the High Holy days include the holy day Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur. Also recall that the Days of Awe include the days in between the two holy days; thus connecting the two holy days together for one long ten day observance. Additionally, recall that it is believed that one's fate does not become sealed until Yom Kippur and that they have ten days to get things right. 

Sabbath of Penitence

The weekly Sabbath between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur is called "Shabbat Shuvah", meaning "Sabbath of repentance" or "Sabbath of return". Continuing in respects to the theme of the season and Days of Awe, repentance is the focus in the Synagogue service.

Second Temple Era

Second Temple Observance

By the era of the second temple, additions were made to the Yom Kippur temple observance concerning the handling of the scapegoat:

SCAPEGOAT

​Once lots were cast for the two identical congregational goats, the scapegoat was revealed and the high priest placed his hands on the scapegoat, for the purpose of placing the sins of the congregation on the goat. A red thread was tied to the scapegoat, representing the scarlet sins of man. The scapegoat was lead through the wilderness, but instead of being let go in the uninhabited wasteland (where he would eventually die off), the scapegoat was taken many miles (many say 12 miles, some say 10 miles), and was thrown over a cliff edge.

Added Judaic Beliefs & Practices (2nd Temple era)

Added beliefs and practices within Judaic tradition during the second temple era include extended prayer, confession, and dancing maidens:

PRAYER & CONFESSION

​While prayer and confession are not specified in scripture, prayer was conducted and extended throughout the day with repentance and request for mercy and remission of sins.​

DANCING MAIDENS

​Young unmarried women (also referred to as virgins), dress in white and dance in a vineyard for the purpose of drawing the attention of eligible males for marriage; each displaying the virtue in which they would like to be chosen for. Yom Kippur is one of the two days in which the added custom of dancing maidens takes place. 

Post Temple Observances

Post Temple Judaic Observance

After the destruction of the second temple, Yom Kippur maintained to be a single day observance; believed by many to be for the reason of fasting. For those who participate, it is a full day at the synagogue with a break in between services.

View an outline of traditional observance activities that takes place on this day. 

There are five prayer services that take place:

Maariv 

Maariv is a compound word that implies bringing on the evening; the space of time known as twilight. The word is used to mark the evening service starts that Yom Kippur. This first prayer service is also called Kol Nedrei.

Kol Nedrei 

​Kol Nedrei is a mixed Hebrew and Aramaic phrase meaning "all vows". At the start of Maarive, for those who hold the belief, all personal vows are disannulled on Yom Kippur. 

While there may be a variations in observance, Maariv includes the following aspects:

1. Shema ("Hear"; by implication 'obey'): Proclamation of faith is made with Deuteronomy 6:4-9

2. Amidah ("standing"), also known as HaTefillah ("the prayer"): Prayer fulfilled while standing and includes praises, requests, and thanksgiving.

3. Kaddish ("Sanctification")​: Prayers that exalts God's name and sovereignty.

4. Selichot ("forgiveness"): A time of poems and prayers, motivated by repentance, seeking of forgiveness, and acknowledgement of God's judgement and mercy. 

5. Piyyutim ("Poems"): A collection of poems are read, sung, or chanted. 

6. Machzor ("cycle"; by implication to 'cycle back' or 'return'); a book of prayers used during High Holy Days: additional prayers may be selected from the prayer book.

7. Vidui ("Confession"): Confession of sins are continued; typically through recitation of selected prayers. (During confession, the pronoun "we" is often used in recognition that God is Holy and set apart, and that all of mankind needs atonement: in harmony with the temple observances on Yom Kippur.) 

Shacharit

​Shacharit means "of dawn" as in the first light of dawn. It is the morning prayer service. The time in which the early temple sacrifices were offered. Local synagogues may typically start this second prayer service anywhere between 7am and 9:30am.

1. Shema ("Hear"; by implication 'obey'): Proclamation of faith is made with Deuteronomy 6:4-9

2. Amidah ("standing"), also known as HaTefillah ("the prayer"): Prayer fulfilled while standing and includes praises, requests, and thanksgiving.

3. K'riat HaTorah ("Reading the Torah"): Reading may include Leviticus 10: the sin of Nadab and Abihu, the Atonement Law in Leviticus 16, and Isaiah 57:14-58:14

4. Tachunun ("Supplication"), also referred to as Nefilat Apayim ("falling on faces"):  This portion includes the Torah reading and Vidui ("confession") prayers. Thirteen attributes of God's mercy, inspired by scripture, are also recited; which are viewed as the scriptural example of how to plead with God for mercy.

5. Aliyot ("going up"): Six times on the morning of Yom Kippur a reader is selected to go up to the bimah (podium) and read a selection of scripture for the Torah reading portion of the service.

6. Yizkor ("Remembrance" or "May he remember"): Prayers are made in memory of souls who have passed on and charity is given to honor them.

Mussaf

​Mussaf means, "addition"; which refers to sacrifice and prayer. This third prayer service follows Shacharit.

1. Amidah ("standing"), also known as HaTefillah ("the prayer"): Prayer fulfilled while standing and includes praises, requests, and thanksgiving.

2. Avodah ("Work", "Worship", and "Service"): Referring to the work of the Levites during the temple observance. The temple ritual is reenacted, highlighting the high priest and confessions.​ ​Originally, this was the time in which the high priest spoke the true pronunciation of the name of God. Referenced in the synagogue as Shem HaMeforash ("The explicit name"). When heard during this service, everyone in observance would prostrate themselves, bowing in reverence to God's holy name, and recite, "Baruch hashem malchuto l'olam vaed" ("blessed be the name of God's glorious kingdom for ever and ever").

3. Eleh Ezkerah ("These I will remember"): A Midrash poetry telling of ten sages who were martyred by Roman emperor Hadrian; who's fabricated excuse was that the ten must fulfill the death penalty required for the kidnapping and ransoming of Joseph by ten of his brothers. 

4. Birkat Kohanim ("Priestly Blessing"): In harmony with the temple observance and commandment found in Numbers 6:24-27, a blessing was said over all the people:  "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."

BREAK

​A time to rest, give to charity, seek forgiveness, reflect, remember the lost, or even attend the tradition of the dancing maidens. 

Mincha

​Mincha means, "present"; which refers to the meal offering that takes place after the atoning sacrifices. This fourth prayer service starts in the afternoon, typically after a break.

1. Torah Reading: Leviticus 18-19, Micah 7:18-20 and Jonah are read to accentuate the law, holy living, and God's mercy.

2. Amidah ("standing"), also known as HaTefillah ("the prayer"): Prayer fulfilled while standing and includes praises, requests, and thanksgiving.

3. Avinu Malkeinu ("Our father our king"): A recited prayer of confession of sins and petition for pardon deliverance blessings.

Nilah

​Neilah means, "locking; which refers to the locking of the heavenly gates. This fifth prayer service on Yom Kippur completes the services for the day. 

1. Neilah: Closure to the tradition of Opening of the gates on Yom Kippur ten days ago; marking the final moments for repentance until the door is shut and no further petitions will be heard. Prayers are now pleads to be sealed in the book of life.

2. Shema ("Hear"; by implication 'obey'): Final proclamation of faith is made with Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Additionally, three times "Baruch Shem" is stated, which is rendered to mean "Blessed is God". Seven times, "HaShem Hu HaElohim" is proclaimed, which is rendered to mean "The Lord He Is God". 

3. Sounding of the Shofar: The shofar is blown one time at the end of the last service. It is a tekiah gedolah ("great blast" and "great shout") is made from the ram's horn.

4. Reflection: Additional time is allotted to observers for prayer and final self-examination before the synagogue doors are closed; with the added objective to apply spiritual changes. The focus then shifts to God's grace.

5. Havdalah ("Separation"): Blessing over cup of the fruit of the vine and a candle.

Traditional Judaic Beliefs & Practices (2nd Temple & later)

Focus - Without a standing temple, the day maintains its focus on repentance and prayer; as seen throughout the days of Awe, from the day of Yom Teruah.

Perspective - Also carried on from Yom Teruah, there is anticipation in awaiting God's final declaration on being written in or blotted out of the book of life. It is understood that sins have been committed and that God is justified in his judgment. Hope remains in the understanding that God is merciful and will forgive.

Additional Perspective - Some hold to the perspective that they are to become, as it were, angels; in the sense that the sole focus for an angel is to worship and serve God; completely separated and detached from worldly desires. For some, this is symbolically represented in a pre-fast meal.

Pre-Fast Feast - Many partake in a large meal before sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur. It is called "Seudah Hamafseket", meaning "separation meal". It is encouraged to eat wisely with the understanding that certain consumables could help or hinder the experience of fasting. (I.e. salt, water, simple carbohydrates, lean protein, caffeine, alcohol)

Eve Washing - All forms of bathing and ritual washings take place on the eve of Yom Kippur.

Greetings - Many greet one another on the eve and day of Yom Kippur with the sayings, “G'mar chatima tova”, meaning, "May you be sealed in the book of life", and "tzom kal", meaning, "easy fast". 

Sabbath Rest - Typically, before sundown, observers cease from all labor not just servile work, and do not resume until the next sunset or later.

Opened Ark - The first Yom Kippur synagogue service begins before sundown with the opening of the emulation Ark and the pulling out of Torah scrolls. Three rabbis declare that sinners are permitted to join God's people in prayer. Forgiveness is asked for the whole world.

Disannulling Vows - The evening Synagogue service on Yom Kippur is referred to as "Kol Nidrei", a mixed Hebrew and Aramaic phrase meaning "all vows". One highly debated belief in Judaism is, those who incorporate Kol Nidrei believe that any personal vows they have made will be disannulled; relieving them of obligation to fulfill them. 

Fasting Consumables - As health permits, many spend 25 hours fasting or fast from sunrise to sundown. 

Fasting Pleasures & Tangibles - For every observer it is a requirement to abstain from fulfilling physical desires of the flesh, both sinful and non-sinful, in order to subdue the flesh that it may be subject to God and made amenable for doing good. (I.e. intimate relations, bathing, perfumes, costly apparel, electronics, etc.) 

Clothing - Many dress in white; representing purity. 

Seeking Forgiveness - As people continue to repent and seek forgiveness during this time, it is customary to adhere to the law and secure ones testimony by having witnesses present when asking someone for forgiveness; especially if the person is unforgiving and or deceased.

Synagogue Service - Observers spend most of their day in the synagogue with a break in between services. To avoid overcrowding in the synagogue, attendance tickets are sold in advance. Services focus on sin, repentance, the coming plagues and wrath of God on the unrepentant, forgiveness, remembrance, charity and hope.

Prayers - The extended prayer on Yom Kippur is divided into five sets of prayers (outlined in the traditional observance activities above.)

Repaying & Giving - Arguably the most giving day of the year, as observers seek to do good and fulfill the commandment to give tithes and offerings. Debts are paid and money in given to charities. 

Blessing Children/Grandchildren - With hopes of future  peace, prosperity, and life on the mind, it is customary for parents and grandparents to speak blessings over their children and grandchildren as Yaakov (Jacob) did with his children and grandchildren in Genesis 48:9-49:28.

Wedding Association - It is common to recognize the day in association with a wedding; as it resembles in having similar observances of fasting, wearing white or dressing as to attend a wedding, and receiving and giving forgiveness. Some Judaic sects reference this through song, Torah reading, and or dancing.  

Martyrs & Remembering Deceased - Some may visit the cemetery and or place of memorial artwork and exhibits. There is remembrance of the resurrection that will take place. There is also remembrance of the servants of God who were martyred. 

Final Declaration of Faith - In unity, observers profess their faith by reciting the shema from scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV - "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:" Additionally, three times "Baruch Shem" is stated, which in modern times translates to "Blessed name", and means "blessed is God". Seven times, "HaShem Hu HaElohim" is proclaimed, which is rendered to mean, "The Lord He Is God". 

Closing of the Gates - The final Yom Kippur synagogue service is called, "Ne'ila" or "Neilah", which means "locking". Observers pray that they will not only be written in the book of life but that they may be sealed in it. The gates of heaven are said to shut at the conclusion of the service (marked by the shofar); in which case no further prayers are heard and final decrees are set to be carried out.

Shofar - Without the careful recording of the years for "Yovel", also called "jubilee", by the Levites during the first and second temple eras, the shofar is blown one time at the end of the last service (in congruence with the closing of the gates and following the final declaration), each year, on Yom Kippur. Just as the last trump of Yom Teruah, a tekiah gedolah ("great blast" and "great shout") is made from the ram's horn.

Post-Service - When the final service comes to an end, zealous observers take their time in additional prayer and final self-examination before leaving the synagogue and eating.

Post-Greeting - Many exchange a second greeting after the services on Yom Kippur; most notably,  “Chag Sameach”, meaning, "Happy Festival", or "Happy Holiday". "Yom Tov", meaning "good day", is another well-known greeting. The phrase, "L'shana Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim", meaning "next year in Jerusalem", is said with hopes of observing Yom Kippur in the new Jerusalem.   

Post-Washing - For those who have repented, the first washing after the completion of Yom Kippur is symbolic for some to represent the newly washing away of repented sins.

Post-Feast (Breaking Fast) - Ecclesiastes 9:7 KJV - "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works." When observers have fulfilled the commandment in observing Yom Kippur, there is hope that their works of repentance are accepted of the Lord and are free to rejoice and eat.

Post-Focus - Zealous observers and some entire communities take measures to continue the spirit of refreshing by continuing to rest, give to charity, celebrate, feast, and apply spiritually positive changes from things repented of.

Added Judaic Beliefs & Practices (Post 2nd Temple)

After the destruction of the second temple, diverse sects of Judaism gave rise to added beliefs and practices of their own. One of them is called Kapparot:

KAPPAROT

​The word "kapparot" means "atonements". For the purpose of donating food to the poor, the chicken was the food of choice. Tradition has it that scriptures are read and then a prayer is said three times while swinging the chicken overhead three times. The chicken is killed, making atonement for sin and blessing the giver with peace, prosperity, and long life. Money, hens and roosters are substitutions in this pre-fast Yom Kippur eve custom. Some refer to this observance as the "Festival of Chickens".

Messianic Christian Observance

Generally, the average Christian does not observe this holiday. Those who do will spend the day fasting, repenting, and in prayer knowing the righteous Judgment of God and the coming day in which Yom Kippur will be fulfilled.