Julia Rod ~ Guest Writer
Fall time is a busy time of year for the Jewish people, with loads of high holy days (major holidays) and many of us being in school. For me, Yom Kippur is one of the most important fall holy days. Yom Kippur, otherwise known as Yom Ha-Kippurim, is the holiest day for Jewish people and is known as the day of atonement: the absolving of sins.
Yom Kippur marks the end of the 10 Days of Awe following Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The 10 Days of Awe is a period of reflection and repentance, thinking about the past year, what went well and what can be done differently in the new year. Yom Kippur comes with a 24-hour fasting period that begins sundown the night before and goes until sundown the day of Yom Kippur. The Torah states that all Jewish adults (excluding the sick, elderly, disabled, and new mothers) must refrain from eating and drinking – this is thought to cleanse the body and spirits of bad omens (or bad vibes) and create a blank slate for the new year to reinvent ourselves.
The first Yom Kippur is said to have taken place after the Israelites’ left Egypt and arrived at Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. As Moses was leaving Mount Sinai, he caught his people worshiping a golden calf (idolatry) so he shattered the Commandments. Because the Israelites atoned for their sin of committing idolatry God forgave the sins of the Jewish people and gave Moses another set of the Ten Commandments.
Every Jewish family celebrates and observes Yom Kippur differently, depending on the sect of Judaism they practice. The one thing that most Jewish people observe is refraining from school and work, which is forbidden on high holy days. Most will attend services at a synagogue, with some people going to services all day long!
Some Jewish people will wear white on this holiday, which is a symbol of purity. It is also a tradition to perform a mitzvah, or a good deed. For example, volunteering or donating to the synagogue or a cause close to their heart. Personally, I go to the morning services at synagogue and refrain from work or school and, obviously, I don’t eat. I reflect on the past year and how I can improve my mind and my body in the new year. I donate to a cause if I can, or I’ll donate tzedakah, which is when you donate to the synagogue which can also be seen as a moral obligation.
For the new year, I’m hoping that I’ll retain good grades, build my relationships with the people I love, and try to live my life as authentically as possible. I hope for happiness and prosperity, but not just for me – for all people. All people are deserving of receiving good energy and blessings. I hope that this new year is a good and prosperous one for all.
