Yom Kippur is the defining holiday for Judaism

Michelle Darnall / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

Yom Kippur is the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who are not devout followers throughout the rest of the year often honor this holy day. Yom Kippur is a Hebrew word that translated means “day of atonement.” It is a day set aside to “afflict the soul” and atone for the sins of the past year. This holiday is meant only to atone for the sins between man and God rather than the sins between man and man.

Yom Kippur is also called the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” and it culminates with the reflection of the 10 “Days of Awe” that begin with Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish new year, now counting at 5769. The holiday is so important to the Jewish people that the state of Israel almost completely shuts down during this holiday. Those who observe the holiday are not allowed to work on this day and ?are expected to refrain from eating and drinking. This fast lasts for approximately 24 hours and begins before sunset the day prior to Yom Kippur and continues through nightfall the day of Yom Kippur. Other additional behavioral restrictions include washing, bathing and anointing one’s body as well as refraining from sexual relations.

The majority of this holiday is spent in the synagogue. It is customary to wear white on this holy day, which symbolizes purity and reminds the faithful of the promise that one’s sins should be made as white and pure as snow. However, the above mentioned restrictions may be lifted in light of extenuating circumstances such as a woman in labor or young children under the age of 13 who may not be able to act appropriately.

While this is a religious holiday, ?some may associate the term Yom Kippur with a very different meaning; the Yom Kippur War of 1973. This year’s observance marks the 35th anniversary of this war when the armies of Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel in 1973. Israel was caught off-guard, yet managed to not only repel the invading armies but also gain territory in the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights. Regardless of the past, this year Yom Kippur was a celebration of religion and faith.

Because the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, the holidays are not consistent and this year, the holiday occurred on Oct. 9. According to Jewish practice, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day. Therefore, observing Jews celebrated on the sunset of Oct. 8?and continued fasting until the following night’s sunset. The appropriate greeting for Yom Kippur is “g’mar chatimah tovah,” which means “May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life.”