YOM KIPPUR

Leviticus 23:26-32 Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: “However, the tenth day of this seventh month is Yom Kippur, a holy convocation to you, so you are to afflict yourselves. You are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai. You are not to do any kind of work on that set day, for it is Yom Kippur, to make atonement for you before Adonai your God. For anyone who does not deny himself on that day must be cut off from his people. Anyone who does any kind of work on that day, that person I will destroy from among his people. You shall do no kind of work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It is to be a Shabbat of solemn rest for you, and you are to humble your souls. On the ninth day of the month in the evening—from evening until evening—you are to keep your Shabbat.â€

Next Tuesday Evening, October 8, starts Yom Kippur; which continues all day Wednesday, October 9.

Yom Kippur is a great opportunity to stand together with all who gather around the world on this day to accept this invitation from our God. We follow many of the historic traditions that have been practiced around the world since the time of the Temple.  Interestingly, this is one of those times that God tells us: “It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellingsâ€

On Yom Kippur we are instructed to deny ourselves. I find this as an opportunity to let my flesh know that God is in charge.  Once again, we get to choose whether to accept this invitation of God. It will not add to your salvation nor will it add to God’s love for you. It is just an opportunity for us to stand together with all who choose to gather on this day and ask God to intervene on behalf of Israel and indeed, the whole world.

We do so in complete freedom. What a blessing.

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