About The Day Of Atonement

By Patrick Peterson


The Hebrew or Jewish Calendar is filled with festivals. Some happy ones and others not so happy such as The Day of Atonement. This day is referenced in the Bible in Leviticus in chapter twenty three verses twenty seven to twenty eight.

This is a time of fasting and adult Jews who have had their Barmitzvah and Batmitzvah are expected not to eat. A barmitzvah, for a boy, means that he has reached the age where he takes on all the commandments set out by the Torah. The same goes for a girl and this is when a girl has reached twelve years old and a boy thirteen years old.

This is a time of celebration unlike that of Yom Kippur which is the Hebrew equivalent for the the time of Atonement. Once children have reached this age they are expected to take on all the laws and duties of an adult Jew. Most parents prepare the child, once they have come of age, to try and fast which is a prerequisite for this solemn day.

How they do this is to allow the child to fast, to not eat or drink, up until lunchtime. This is done prior to their coming of age whilst they are still eleven for a girl and twelve for a boy. All adult Jews fast on this day and it is about a twenty six hour fast.

The fast runs throughout the day and starts at sunset and goes on until it is dark around seven in the evening the following day. As said no food or drink is allowed. With this in mind, some Jews have a substantial supper before the fast.

A person can eat what they like prior to fasting. It is all a matter of choice and some will only have a light meal. Others make a big meal out of it and have meat, soup and a dessert of fruit. It's not set in stone.

The date of this occasion in the Hebrew calender falls in the month of Tishri. More accurately it falls on the tenth day of this month. So it is written in the Bible or Old Testament and is based on the lunar calendar.

All Jews are required to attend a house of worship known as a Synagogue, Shul or Temple as some like to call it. They engross themselves with praying and reflecting on the year that has just passed. It is a time believed when all Jews including all nations of the world pass before G-d and are judged.

It is a time when deeds from the previous year are scrutinized and reflected upon. How to improve oneself and what more one can do to benefit the world as a whole. It is said that each person's fate is also sealed as to who will die and who will live.

The Temple service is made up of different parts. There is the Yizkor section where those who have lost parents pray that their souls are elevated in the next world. All in all, it is an awesome occasion for everyone and the fast itself reminds those to be grateful for their continued sustenance in the year to come.




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