Glimpses of Israel - Yom Kippur
The seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, Tishrei , begins with the celebration of a new year, Rosh Hashana (13th September) which commemorates Creation, and honours the Creator of the Universe. This Year will be 5768.
Rosh Hashana also coincides with the Feast of Trumpets when the sounds of the shofar (trumpet) echo throughout Israel.
Nine days later, on the tenth of the seventh month is Yom Kippur , the Day of Atonement. It is a day unequalled among the nations—nothing like it is comparable.
It is a day of awe when the nation of Israel acknowledges with deep reverence, the Judge of all the earth. It is a day of fasting from the works of their hands; a day of prayer focussed on the works of God, and meditating on His Word. It is a day of affliction in the realization that there is only One who is Righteous, and all His ways are just and true. It is a day of repentance for the entire nation, when they turn to their God, who is their Redeemer and King.
"This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do not work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD." (Leviticus 16:29-30)
It is on this day only that the High Priest is allowed into the Holy of holies, in the Temple, to make atonement for the sins of Israel.
The Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70CE. The only surviving structure today, is a retaining wall, known as the Western Wall.
Today, on the Day of Atonement, Jewish people from every nation gather to pray at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem. They long to see the Temple rebuilt, in their days.