Yom HaKippurim
Yom HaKippurim
Brief Overview of the Laws
Leviticus 23:27 [1] tells us that the 10th day of the 7th month of the Hebrew calendar (Tishrei) is 'Yom HaKippurim', the Day of the Atonements (15th September 2021) [2]. We are to have a 'holy convocation' ('mikrah') [3], afflict our souls ('initem et niftechem' [4], present a burnt offering and not do any work (like on Sabbath [5].
Leviticus 23:29 [6] says that anybody who is not afflicted in their soul on the day shall be 'cut off' ('nikretah') [7] and Leviticus 23:30 [8] states that those who work will be 'destroyed' ('abad') [9]. Leviticus 23:29 [10] and Leviticus 23:31 [11] both state that these laws are 'permanent statutes' [12], as in, laws that are valid for eternity [13].
Casting Lots
These laws are discussed in more depth in Leviticus 16:1-34 [14], which describe several aspects of the Priestly role for Moses' brother, Aaron. Leviticus 16:8 [15] also mentions the unusual Torah-based practice of 'casting lots' to make a decision (about the animal sacrifice) [16]. 'Lot' casting is similar to the technique of the 'Urim and Thummim' [17] in the Torah, where randomised methodologies are used to identify Divine intentions.
Observing the Sabbath?
Leviticus 23:32 [18] says in the evening of the 9th of the month (as in, the day before) we are to 'celebrate our Sabbath' and this suggests that Yom HaKippurim should be observed for two days; on both the 9th and 10th of the 7th month. At the moment, 'Yom Kippur' is only celebrated as a fast on the 10th. For why the picture of this post is a rooster, see last year's post on 'kapparot' [19].
References
1. Leviticus 23:27: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-27.htm.
2. There are currently issues with the way in which the Hebrew calendar is being calculated. This is important since the 'observation' of scheduled 'days' is a significant aspect of the Torah. If the calendar is wrong, the correct date to celebrate this holiday would not be the 15th September! See the Hebcal date converter: https://www.hebcal.com/converter?gd=14&gm=9&gy=2021&gs=on. More on this topic soon.
3. 'Mikrah': https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_4744.htm.
4. 'Afflict': https://biblehub.com/bdb/6031.htm; 'souls': https://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/5315.htm. Although not stated expressly in Leviticus, Ezra 8:21 (written several hundred years later) suggests that 'affliction' can be equivalent to fasting: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/ezra/8-21.htm.
5. See Leviticus 23:28: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-28.htm and 'melacha' ('work'): https://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/4399.htm.
6. Leviticus 23:29: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-29.htm.
7. 'Nikretah': https://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/3772.htm.
8. Leviticus 23:30: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-30.htm.
9. 'Destroyed': https://biblehub.com/nasec/hebrew/6.htm.
10. Leviticus 23:29: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-29.htm.
11. Leviticus 23:31: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-31.htm.
12. See 'permanent' ('olam'): https://biblehub.com/strongs/hebrew/5769.htm.
13. For more on the procedure of making Torah law, see: https://www.israelalia.com/procedure-jewish-law/.
14. Leviticus 16: https://biblehub.com/bsb/leviticus/16.htm.
15. Leviticus 16:8: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/16-8.htm.
16. Aaron is to take two male goats for a sin offering (Leviticus 16:5: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/16-5.htm) and then 'cast lots' to choose one for the sacrifice and one as the 'scapegoat' (see Leviticus 16:8: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/16-8.htm and Leviticus 16:10: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/16-10.htm).
17. More on this topic coming soon; see last year's IsraelAlia Facebook post on the holiday of Purim: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelAliaCovenant/photos/4321782924503700.
18. Leviticus 23:32: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-32.htm.
19. Last year's IsraelAlia Facebook post on 'Yom Hakippurim': https://www.facebook.com/IsraelAliaCovenant/photos/3902035769811753.
Anonymous
The period between afternoons (bein ha arbaim) is known as twilight, because there are two erev, the first erev is when the sun sets, and the second erev is when night comes and the stars are seen. So, Leviticus 23:32 says: "beginning on the 9th day of the month in the evening" (first erev), it means that the fast includes twilight on the 9th of the month, and ends at nightfall on the 10th.The renewed moon was seen in Israel at sunset on September 8, therefore, Yom Kippur is from when the sun sets on September 17 until night falls on September 18.
IsraelAlia Reply
This is a very interesting point thank you XXX for mentioning this. What you are referring to is the way in which we are to determine when night falls and the new Torah day begins. The word used throughout Leviticus 23:32 is 'erev' and this word is used 134 times throughout the bible (see https://biblehub.com/hebrew/strongs_6153.htm). I have looked through these references quickly and it doesn't seem as though any particular passage gives an indication as to how we should determine this time (because as you say, there is an unclear period between the time the sun sets and the stars appear). This is definitely an issue that needs formal resolution (by the Priests and Judge). What are your thoughts on the fact that it says we are to observe a Sabbath on the 9th? Are you saying we are supposed to observe the fast on the 9th? If you could clarify what you think we need to do and when to observe YHK..
Anonymous
You misunderstand WayiqraLeviticus 23:32. What it does mean is that YK must begin somewhat during the evening before the 10th day of the month begins.The source of misunderstanding may be that most probably believe a new day begins at sunset rather than at nightfall, which concludes the evening.
IsraelAlia Reply
Hi! so.. you say Leviticus 23:32 means 'YK must begin somewhat during the evening before the 10th day' but - that is not what the words of the Torah say. the words say "on the 9th of the month at evening, from evening to evening you shall celebrate your sabbath" https://biblehub.com/interlinear/leviticus/23-32.htm. This suggests we must celebrate a sabbath of full rest with sabbath law restrictions on the 9th of the month (therefore, starting in the evening of a secular day) and observe the sabbath until the following evening (which would mark the beginning of the 10th of the 7th month)?!