All About The Day Of Atonement

By Patrick Peterson


This is a solemn day in the Hebrew calendar. It is a time for introspection and reflection in the Jewish Year. The Day of Atonement is mentioned in the bible and can be found in the book of Leviticus.

This is a time of fasting and adult Jews who have had their Barmitzvah and Batmitzvah are expected not to eat. A barmitzvah, for a boy, means that he has reached the age where he takes on all the commandments set out by the Torah. The same goes for a girl and this is when a girl has reached twelve years old and a boy thirteen years old.

When children have reached the age of twelve and thirteen for a girl and boy respectively it is time to fast when this time of year comes round and it is Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the Hebrew name given for this occasion. In the year prior to becoming a barmitzvah or batmitzvah, parents ensure that their children are ready to fast for the year to come and generally allow them to not eat up until lunchtime.

How they do this is to allow the child to fast, to not eat or drink, up until lunchtime. This is done prior to their coming of age whilst they are still eleven for a girl and twelve for a boy. All adult Jews fast on this day and it is about a twenty six hour fast.

In the Jewish calendar the fast begins at sunset and continues until evening the following day. Nothing is allowed to be consumed and nothing is allowed to enter the mouth. Because of this most eat a big meal prior to the event.

Each to their own and some do not partake of a big meal but settle for boiled eggs. Others like to make sure their bellies are exploding and will eat a hearty meal. The fast is a lengthy one so most make sure they are prepared for it.

The date of this occasion in the Hebrew calender falls in the month of Tishri. More accurately it falls on the tenth day of this month. So it is written in the Bible or Old Testament and is based on the lunar calendar.

It is a time when everyone goes to Synagogue or Shul or Temple as it is known. It is a house of worship where one can pray and reflect on the year gone by. This holiday is also called the Day of Judgement when the entire world stands before G-d and is judged not only individually but also as a whole.

It is a time when deeds from the previous year are scrutinized and reflected upon. How to improve oneself and what more one can do to benefit the world as a whole. It is said that each person's fate is also sealed as to who will die and who will live.

There are different parts to the Synagogue service throughout the day and Jews spend the whole day in Synagogue and follow the service. There is a section called Yizkor where those that have passed on are remembered. At the end of the day, the service concludes with the Neilah prayer when it is believed that the gates of heaven are open and a person has this time to pray for anything that he or she requires.




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