Yom Kippur

This is one of those unique occasions that a High Sabbath falls on the same day as the weekly Sabbath.  Today is Yom Kippur, or "Day of Atonement."  This is the tenth day of Tishrei on God's calendar. In orthodox Judaism this is considered the holiest day of the year.  One of the traditions of today is not to wear any leather or animal products, since animals had to be sacrificed for the needed blood to atone for man's sin.  That's not a requirement of Torah, it's just a tradition of the elders.  The actual Torah passage on the observance of Yom Kippur is in Leviticus 16.

This is the one day of the year when the high priest, or Cohen Gadol enters the Holy of Holies.  Of course, there is no Temple yet standing in Jerusalem.  The narratives about what happened at the Temple in the remaining years until it's destruction in 70 A.D., after the resurrection of Yeshua, are stunning and very telling about His identity as the true Messiah.

The Ark of the Covenant

According to the Talmud, when the two goats were used according to Torah, one goat was chosen to be the "scapegoat" to be lead out to the wilderness and be killed. The choice was made by using the Ummim and Thummim, kept in the ephod of the Cohen Gadol.  A scarlet ribbon was tied in the horns of the goat to be led out to the wilderness, and then an end of that ribbon was cut off, to be fastened to the Temple door.  If the scapegoat was accepted by the Lord, as a sign of His acceptance of the sacrifice, the remaining ribbon on the door would turn white.

The Talmud records that after the Rabbi of Nazereth was executed by the Romans, the ribbon would no longer turn white after the Day of Atonement.  Hmmm.

Because the day is about solemn reflection and repentance, it's kind of silly to wish a Jewish friend a "Happy Yom Kippur."  It would be simpler and more fitting to say, "Yom Tov."  (Good Day)  If you'd like more information on Yom Kippur just click on the link and read the post on "Fall Cleaning."