Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement

During the High Holy Days, our Torah cover is white, and  on Yom Kippur, we
wear white as a reminder of G-d's holiness.

Tonight at sundown, we will observe Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement.  This is a holy day, a High Holy Day. Adonai is holy, which means "without sin".  G-d really does want us to obey Him, and to be holy.

On Yom Kippur, we come aside to examine our souls.  We look at our thoughts and behaviors over the past year.  We are reminded of sins we may have committed and left unconfessed.  We look back to see if there is any unfinished business.

We examine our relationships.  Is there a strain between us and anyone?  Are we holding unforgiveness in our hearts?  Is there anyone of whom we should ask forgiveness?  On this day, we go to that person, clear the slate and start anew.

This day is solemn and serious.  Because sin is serious, deadly serious.  Sin destroys, infects, and brings death, so it must be confessed and dealt with.  His way, by contrast, brings Life....L'Chaim!!   

The Word says blood is the only payment for our sin.  An animal must be killed, and it's blood used to atone for the sin committed.  Depending on the sin, it could be a bird, a goat, or a cow.  Imagine the amount of blood poured out at the Temple to pay for the sins of the people.

Imagine having to go to the Temple to pay for your sins, and seeing an animal slaughtered and drained of its' blood.  Does it horrify you?

Perhaps we are so far removed from the sacrifice of blood that we take our Savior's blood for granted.  Yom Kippur is a reminder, a very solemn reminder that the price was high for our atonement.

We thank G-d for keeping us alive and for sustaining us to reach this season. Oh, how we should thank Him and praise Him and glorify His name forever, for every thing and every breath come from Him.  How blessed we are who know Him.

Yom Kippur is also a time to look ahead.  We ask G-d to write our names in the Book of Life for the year ahead.  Our hope is in Him and this song expresses His favor for us whose sins are covered by Yeshua's blood:

Learn more about Yom Kippur here and here