Yom Kippur
By Isaac Cuozzo
Yom Kippur is the most significant holiday of the year in Israel. Although, unlike traditional holidays of parties and feasting, Yom Kippur is a time of solemn silence and prayer. The 25 hour period is spend fasting and repenting of sins. Most of the day will be spent in synagogue services.
The tradition comes from a commandment in the bible, “For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before God “ Leviticus 15:30.
The name Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement. The Jews believe that after this day their punishments are sealed in a book by God. So they will spend their time leading up to Yom Kippur making amends for their sins and trying to earn God’s favor with good behavior. Although they must also seek reconciliation with fellow humans since “God can only forgive the sins against him.”
There are many rules on Yom Kippur in addition to the weekly sabbath regulations. No eating OR drinking is allowed. You may not wash or use bodily ointments (deodorants, shampoo, cologne, etc.) These rules do not apply however to children under the age of nine or women in child labor.
Most of the day is spent in the synagogue, in prayer. For the Orthodox, service begins early in the morning, then they will take a late afternoon nap, and return later for evening services which continue until nightfall. Services end with the blowing of the tekiah gedolah. It is customary to wear white on this day to symbolize purity and having your sins washed as white as snow.
On October 6th 1973, hoping to gain back territory lost to Israel during the third Arab-Israeli war in 1967, Egypt and Syria launched a coordinated attack on Yom Kippur when Israel was most vulnerable. The crossing of Suez Canal was a huge and miraculous accomplishment for the Egyptian forces, and for a while they had the upper hand, wreaking havoc among the Israeli line. The biggest, most aggressive tank war since World War II ensued. Both sides took heavy casualties among their infantry and began running low on supplies and equipment. The Egyptian General had expected the Israelis to run out of supplies before they did. So when the Israeli defense force received more equipment, supplies, and machinery from America, it was the turning point in the war. Now with civilian infantry as well as their IDF soldiers, Israel pushed the Egyptian and Syrian forces back and counterattacked, recapturing the Golan Heights. A ceasefire finally went into action October 25th. IDF soldiers complained that due to the ceasefire, Egypt would feel that they had won. But deep down, everyone was aware that Israel had had the victory.
In conclusion, Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Israel. Religious and secular Jews alike will take part of the fasting and praying. And they will always remember October 25th 1973, when they had victory against the Egyptian and Syrian forces, and freed Israel from yet another enemy.
Last Saturday, we attended another congregation for the first time in Netanya. Again it was in Hebrew but a summary of the message was handed around for the english speakers. I was most grateful and followed along as I read through the notes and looked up all the scriptures they provided. The Lord really ministered to me through that time and revealed some great truths I have never seen before.
Leviticus 16:29-34New King James Version (NKJV)
29 “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. 30 For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. 32 And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister as priest in his father’s place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the holy garments;33 then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary,[a] and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. 34 This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” And he did as the Lord commanded Moses.
In Hebrews 9:1-5, the furniture in the Tabernacle is presented.
Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
It was pointed out during the meeting that there was an item missing from the furniture….. it was a chair. The High Priest was not allowed to sit down because the work of atonement was never finished.
Hebrews 9:8-10New King James Version (NKJV)
8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
Our great High Priest, Yeshua, after making purifications for sin, sat down at the right hand of God in Heaven. And because He sat down, we know that the work is complete and that our sins: past, present and future are all forgiven!!!!Hebrews 9:25-26New King James Version (NKJV)
25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
If anyone is struggling today to accept that you are forgiven…… know that you are because of this simple truth! And now live in this simple truth and stop letting the enemy bring back all your mistakes from the past! Because Yeshua entered into the Heavenly sanitary, we also have the privilege to enter boldly and come before the throne room anytime we want.
Hebrews 10:19-23New King James Version (NKJV)
Hold Fast Your Confession
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
As a family, we are spending the day praying and seeking Him with an open heart. We are thanking Him for His forgiveness and asking Him to heal our family and make sure our hearts are right with God. We are also crying out for His healing touch on this land and we are praying for God to pour healing on all the nations. How desperately we need His touch!
There will be very few, if any, cars on the road today, so we plan to take a walk to the Wailing Wall and possibly the Garden of Gethsemane.
Some pictures of our time in Haifa on Tuesday. We visited with people from several ministries there and walked the beautiful Ben Gurion Ave which is stunning! Of course we had dinner out that evening with some 'new' friends and tasted another great meal.
Dates growing on the trees there on the streets in Haifa. We were standing below one when something fell right near our feet. A date! I looked up and saw them all hanging there ready for picking!
A shopping mall. Roladin is a fantastic bakery. I shall make sure I get pictures of the pastries to share another time.
UPDATE: We walked for four hours to the Wailing Wall and then back to the apartment. It was the most peaceful experience because there really were no cars on the road except for police cars! It was most unusual. Roads were barricaded to prevent the flow of any traffic should anyone dare to be driving. We did see one car with Arabs. But the children were out on their bikes going crazy! They were riding downhill so fast, racing each against each other (and without helmets, no one wears helmets here)! Children were out roller blading and skateboarding and pedestrians were walking with pushchairs and in the middle of the road just because it is the ONE time of the year when they can. So of course we walked down the middle of the road also….. just because we could but I cannot tell you how many times we looked both ways when crossing the roads! Such a habit. There was a peace over Jerusalem yesterday. It was actually very refreshing. At the Wailing Wall, people were praying, meditating and sleeping. It was indeed a solemn day and later that evening before the sun went down and Yom Kippur was officially over, my boys went outside the apartment to play a game together and were 'gently' reminded by the lady living upstairs that they had to stop because it was Yom Kippur. I must add that this is not the first time we have been asked to be quiet during a Sabbath! I cannot imagine having to live here in an apartment with six children.
Many people were wearing white.
Walking on Mount Zion!
Orthodox Jew with his skate board (or long board as Isaac corrected me).
The Wailing Wall on Yom Kippur. Many visiting the site to pray and cry out to God for their sins. They believe that today marks a new year when there sins are forgiven just like the Day of Atonement when the High Priest would enter the Holy Place just once a year. I am so thankful to know that Jesus has already paid the price for my sins. How God must long for His people to see Him and know the truth that will set them free.
Oh Jesus please open their eyes that are blinded.
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