Yom
Kippur: tenth day of Tishri
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most sacred of the Jewish
holidays, the "Sabbath of Sabbaths." On Rosh Hashanah, God
has judged most of mankind and recorded his judgement in the Book
of Life, but he has given a ten-day reprieve during which we can repent.
Then, on the tenth day of Tishri (Yom Kippur), the Book of Life is
closed and sealed: those who have repented for their sins are granted
a good, happy, and safe New Year. Yom Kippur is the day to ask forgiveness
for promises broken to God, and the days before are for asking forgiveness
for broken promises between people. No work is done on this day, and
fasting is the rule: it is believed that to fast on Yom Kippur is
to imitate the angels in heaven.
