Yom Kippur

Feast

Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement

Summary

Yom meaning “day” and kippur from Hebrew root meaning “atone” sets the stage for the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Repentance and atonement are the core values and foundations of this beautiful holiday that falls in autumn among the three High Holy Days. Arriving on the Jewish calendar on Tishrei 10 and this year on the Gregorian calendar on October 3-4, 2014, it is a 25-hour period of fasting, concentrated prayer, and asking for forgiveness.

Read

Leviticus 16; Hebrews 10:1-18

Hebrew Words

A few foundational Hebrew words for this Jewish High Holy Day are Yom Kippur meaning “Day of Atonement,” azazel, or “the goat that was sent away”—ez meaning “goat” and azal, “sent away.” (The original meaning of this word is unknown and hotly debated. Several possibilities exist, and I chose to highlight this denotation.) Kapparah meaning “atonement,” and terah from the Hebrew root meaning “cleanse” are also included here.

Read a devotional from the Messianic Jewish Bible Institute (source)