Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement

Torah (Leviticus 23:26-32) describes this day (The Day of Atonement) as most solemn, a time of introspection and repentance. Those who didn’t observe this holy day were severely punished. Only on Yom Kippur could the high priest enter the most sacred part of the sanctuary, and only he could enter. There, after making a sacrifice for himself, he brought the blood from the sacrifice made for the people (Leviticus 16). On this day atonement was made for the whole nation, as a goat died in the place of the people. (according to the most up-to-date studies, atonement, in Hebrew kippur, means, “ransom by means of a substitute.”)

Messianic significance abounds. The services during the period of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur refer repeatedly to the binding or sacrifice of Isaac (“Akedah”). The rabbis teach that in some way G-d accepts the “sacrifice” of Isaac on our behalf. Isaac beautifully foreshadows the sacrifice of Messiah (e.g. Hebrews 11:17-19), whose sacrifice G-d accepted on our behalf.

The Haftorah portion on Yom Kippur is the book of Jonah, the prophet who spent three days in the belly of a large fish before emerging. When Yeshua was challenged to provide evidence for His Messiahship, he pointed to the example of Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40). He used Jonah as a picture of His own death and resurrection.

On this day we can celebrate Yom Kippur by thanking G-d for the atonement available through Yeshua and by praying that more of our people will recognize and accept Him as their atonement. This day also gives us the opportunity for self-searching, repentance, and recommitment to G-d (II Corinthians 13:5; I John 1:9)

Kol Nidre will be Friday, September 21, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

On Yom Kippur, Saturday, September 22, 2007 the synagogue will be open for prayer at 9 a.m. We will have a Yom Kippur service at 10 a.m. Prayer and fasting will continue after the service until 6:30 p.m.

"Break the Fast" will be at the synagogue on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 7 p.m.