Untitled Sermon
Day of Atonement: The Day the High PRiest Makes Atonement for Sin
Yom Kippur (Yome Ki-POOR), also known as Day of Atonement, is the most solemn holy day of the Jewish people. Yom means "day" and Kippur means "atonement" or "covering." Atonement means the reconciliation of God and humankind. The ten days which include Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the "days of repentance." Yom Kippur is the final day of judgment when God judges the people. The shofar (ram's horn) is blown at the end of the evening prayer service for the first time since Rosh HaShanah.
In Bible times, the high priest sacrificed an animal to pay for his sins and the sins of the people. It was a time of fasting and prayer. When the high priest was finished with the atonement sacrifice, a goat was released into the wilderness. This "scapegoat" carried Israel's sins away, never to return (Lev. 16:8-10, 20-22, 29-34).
DAY OF ATONEMENT
Holiday
Also Known As
Hebrew
Date Observed
Scripture Basis
Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur
10 Tishri (September or October)
Leviticus 23:26-32