Concept in Definition ABC

Yom Kippur or Yom Kippur is a Judaism holiday that is known as the day of atonement or the day of forgiveness. The Yom Kippur holiday is considered to be the most important and holiest celebration on the Jewish calendar.

During Yom Kippur there are a number of prohibitions related to fasting, pleasures and personal comfort. The idea of ​​all of them is the spiritual elevation for a greater connection with the Creator. Keep in mind that in the religion Jewish everything that is done on Earth is a preparation for eternal life.

The biblical origin of this celebration

In the Jewish Torah or Bible, specifically in the book of Vayikra which corresponds to the Leviticus of the Christian Old Testament, it is stated that God indicated to Moses that at ten days of the seventh month the day of atonement will be celebrated and during it men must make offerings to God to purify their souls. At the same time, it is specified that no work will be done on this day.

In the text

where this message appears, the word atonement corresponds to the Hebrew term kippur and with this word repentance for sins committed is communicated. In that same text it is mentioned that during Yom Kippur the soul must remain afflicted and for this it is necessary to practice fasting. In other words, fasting tax by the Creator during this day has a spiritual meaning, as it symbolizes the elimination of sin in the human soul.

The Yom Kippur ceremony among ancient Jews

The indicated biblical reference is the foundation of the feast of Yom Kippur, a holiday already celebrated by the ancient Jews. In it the rabbi entered the temple to ask forgiveness for the sins of the Jewish people.

In the ceremony the rabbi brought two male goats (goats) as offerings to God. One of the animals was chosen at random to be sacrificed before God and the other symbolized the guilt of all the sins committed by men. In this way, the guilt for the sins fell symbolically on this second goat, which was finally sent to the desert. This tradition derives, precisely, the expression "be a scapegoat", that is, someone on whom all blame falls.

Today the Yom Kippur festival is preceded by a family dinner the night before. On Yom Kippur people go to the synagogue to pray and many Jews dress in a white robe over normal clothing as a symbol of purity and in this way they imitate the clothes that the rabbis used in ancient times in the ceremony in the temple.

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Themes on Yom Kippur