YOM KIPPUR

Not only to my Jewish friends but also to all other friends as well all other human beings. I sincerely believe that the principles of Yom Kippur should be used and applied by everyone, on our paths to be better beings on this planet. There isn't a single one of us who has anything to offer God. We are all impure, stained by our sin and guilty of more than we could ever even hope to repay or compensate for by our own righteousness. Our righteous acts, are nothing. They are like dust that blows in the wind and disappears, leaving nothing behind but traces of dirt. With this in mind, let's look at the meaning of Yom Kippur.

Firstly, let's go back in time and examine the historical facts, and for that let us consult a passage from the Book of Deuteronomy that involves choice. The Israelites are told that in order to enter the sacred land, they must keep God’s commandments and abandon all sin. If they choose to walk in God’s light, they will be blessed in the land of Israel which they are about to enter, but if they do not, they will surely perish.

“See, I set before you this day life and prosperity, death and adversity” (Deuteronomy 30:15).

God presents the options, but encourages the Israelites to pick prosperity over adversity.

“Choose life…For thereby you shall have life and shall long endure upon the soil that the Lord your God swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give to them.” (Deuteronomy 30:20)

Let's go even further and see what the Book of Leviticus in chapter 23verse 27 say: "the tenth day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a sacred occasion for you: You shall practice self-denial."

In three separate passages in the Torah, the Jewish people are told that Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement" and refers to the annual Jewish observance of fasting, prayer and repentance. Part of the High Holidays, which also includes Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Fasting is seen as fulfilling this biblical commandment. The Yom Kippur fast also enables us to put aside our physical desires to concentrate on our spiritual needs through prayer, repentance and self-improvement.

Yom Kippur is the moment in Jewish time when we dedicate our mind, body, and soul to reconciliation with God, our fellow human beings, and ourselves. We are commanded to turn to those whom we have wronged first, acknowledging our sins and the pain we might have caused. At the same time, we must be willing to forgive and to let go of certain offenses and the feelings of resentment they provoked in us. On this journey we are both seekers and givers of pardon. Only then can we turn to God and ask for forgiveness: “And for all these, God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant us atonement.”

For the Jewish community, Yom Kippur is a moment for renewal, an invitation to step forward without the weight of our transgressions following behind. This Day of Atonement challenges us to own our mistakes, acknowledging where we have fallen short in the past year and asking God for the chance to improve in the coming one.

The Jewish Day of Atonement acknowledges this choice: Move forward into a space of opportunity and growth or remain trapped within perils of the past and fears of the future? The choice seems obvious enough, but the path to renewal is far from easy. Choosing “life and prosperity” requires us to recognize our previous misgivings, but it also challenges us to accept whatever consequences lie ahead. Deciding to move into the new Jewish year through repentance and coming out of the closet are both very difficult choices, for they rely upon our faith in God and in ourselves.

Approaching Yom Kippur, we are challenged to take advantage of the opportunities they hold. We look at our past both individually and communally, and are given the chance to craft a better way. The deep meaning of this specific Jewish holiday give us the opportunity to look back at how far we have come in our journey towards acceptance and inclusion – not just as individuals, but as communities and a broader society.

As we begin the year the Jewish year of 5777, let us commit to putting greater inclusion, equality, and acceptance of all God’s children front and centre.