Yom Kippur brings worshippers closer to God
From sunset on Sept. 25 until nightfall on Sept. 26, thousands of people all over the world will celebrate the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur comes at the end of the High Holy Days, also known as Yamin Nora’im. The High Holy Days include the Jewish new year Rosh Hashanah, which began on Sept. 16 and ended on Sept. 18, and Yom Kippur, which translates to mean “day of atonement.”
Yom Kippur occurs on the tenth day of the month Tishrei, as is mentioned in the book of Leviticus. According to Jewish tradition, during Rosh Hashanah God inscribes the fate of each individual for the coming year, and after Yom Kippur the verdict is finalized. During the High Holy Days, those practicing Judaism reform and repent, Yom Kippur being the final day of repentance with both public and private acts of petitions for forgiveness of sins.
Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and intense prayer. During the day, five prayer services are given instead of the usual three.
“Yom Kippur is a religious thing,” said Hannah Butler, a freshman majoring in communicative disorders. “It is when they atone of their own sins. It’s sort of like a repentance thing.”
Butler said before Yom Kippur, they have Rosh Hashanah.
“It means new year,” she said. “Not technically new year by calendar wise, but a new beginning, a fresh start, a start over.”
Rosh Hashanah is believed to be the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, who are believed to be the first man and woman on earth, according to Judaism 101.
Butler said during Rosh Hashanah people say “Shana tova,” which means “happy new year,” referencing the renewal and cleansing from sin.
“Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year where you’re closest to God,” said Jen Walker, an incoming student majoring in forensic science. “During the span of sunset the day before until the next day at nightfall, you fast and also pray 5 times.”
“I like to go into the mountains on a hike and pray, try to get closer to the God I believe in,” said Walker, who does not practice Judaism but was raised by Jewish traditions and culture.
“It’s something that everyone needs, even if you’re practicing or not,” said Brooke Miller, a sophomore double majoring in graphic design and marketing.
Miller, a reformed Jew, said there is no synagogue in Logan and the Jewish community here is very small. In the past, she has traveled to Salt Lake to participate in the five traditional prayer services. This year she will fast from sundown to sunset, but she will not have the opportunity to participate in prayer services.
Miller said Yom Kippur is for everyone, not just those who practice Judaism.
“Even if you are not Jewish, it’s nice having a day of rest and understanding that your body needs that day of rest,” she said.
“It doesn’t get credit for being one of the holiest Jewish holidays,” Miller said. “People think Hanukkah is the biggest Jewish holiday, but Yom Kippur is the biggest day for Jews. It’s something that people who don’t even go to synagogue, that’s the day that they want to go to, because for us its that chance to have a fresh start and keep going on with our next year.”
Walker said there are a lot of traditions that come with Yom Kippur, such as the lighting of candles the night before, a traditional honey cake that is requested and received and a feast the night of Yom Kippur after the fasting.
Those who participate in Yom Kippur come away with different experiences.
“What I take away is to remember everything God has given me, to become closer to him and my spirituality,” Walker said.
“It is a day of rest, so it gives me a chance to relax, and its a day of atonement as well, so it kind of a chance to renew and get started for the full new year,” said Miller.
– carli.sue.sorenson@aggiemail.usu.edu