TORAH STUDIES: LINKING SCRIPTURES

FEAST OF YOM KIPPUR

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is observed 10 days after the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teru'ah) on the 10th of Tishri in the Hebrew calendar. It is considered the holiest day of the year in Jewish tradition, marked by repentance, fasting, and seeking forgiveness from YHVH.

Key Points of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

Timing and Purpose:
Celebrated 10 days after Yom Teru'ah (Feastof Trumpets) on Tishri 10, it culminates the "Ten Daysof Awe," a period of reflection and repentance. Known as a dayof reconciliation with YHVH our Creator. Yom Kippur focuses onatonement for sins through repentance, prayer, fasting andsacrificing.

Biblical Commandment:
Leviticus 16:29-31 – "This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work... For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before YHVH from all your sins."

Leviticus 23:27-28 – "On the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to YHVH."

Observances and Practices:
Fasting and Abstinence:
Complete abstinence from food, drink, and certain physical comforts for 24 hours to focus on Teshuvah (repentance) and spiritual renewal.

Confession and Prayer:
Reciting prayers of confession (Vidui) and repentance, seeking forgiveness for sins against YHVH and our neighbors.

Special Temple Sacrifices:
In ancient times, a High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to perform rituals of atonement, including the sprinkling of blood for the sins of the people. This day included the ritual of the scapegoat, where one goat was released to bear the sins of the people into the wilderness.

The ritual of the scapegoat on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is one of the most powerful elements in the ancient Temple practices. In this rite, described in (Leviticus 16), two goats were selected for the atonement process: one goat was designated "for YHVH" and offered as a sin offering, while the other was designated "for Azazel," representing the scapegoat.

The High Priest would draw lots to determine each goat's role. The goat chosen for YHVH was sacrificed as a burnt offering to purify the people and the sanctuary. The second goat, the scapegoat, was symbolically laden with the sins of the people. The High Priest would lay hands on the goat's head, confess the sins of Israel over it, and then send it into the wilderness, bearing away the nation's transgressions.

The wilderness release to "Azazel" has been interpreted in various ways. Some scholars suggest that "Azazel" refers to a location or a spirit of the wilderness. Others see Azazel as a symbolic representation of the forces of chaos, rebellion, and impurity, countered by the sanctifying influence of YHVH.

In the Book of Enoch and related texts, Azazel indeed stands out as one of the leaders of the Watchers, or malakhim (angels or messengers), who were initially intended to guide humanity in the ways of righteousness and justice, as noted in (Jubilees 4:15). The Watchers were meant to help humans govern themselves rightly and walk closely with YHVH. However, they deviated from this mission, leading to significant consequences.

The Watchers, also called the Benei HaElohim (Sons of Aravat) descended to Adamah and, contrary to their divine mission, became drawn to human women. This fascination led to intermarriage, and from these unions came the Nephilim, a race of giants whose presence on Adamah further destabilized the divine-human relationship. These giants, with their physical power and unchecked passions, symbolized the blending of Immortality and mortal realms in a way that disrupted the natural order of YHVH's creation.