Yom Kipur The Day Of Atonement

Yom Kippur or otherwise known as the Day of Atonement is one of the most important holidays in Judaism. Yom Kipper happens in September or October, or Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar. Yom Kippur follows the 10 Days of Awe, a time where people reflect on their actions during the year and repent for any wrongdoings. In Judaism it is during Yom Kippur that God makes a judgment based on the previous year. During this time Jews are told to ask for forgiveness for wrongdoings and sins as well as make amends with other people. One of the main practices during Yom Kippur is to have a twenty five hour fast. In preparation for the fast many people will have a large feast before the fasting begins and after the fast many people will have another festive
Based on tradition, Yom Kippur initially took place after Moses received the ten commandments from God on Mount Sinai. When Moses came down the mountain he saw his people worshiping a gold idol, causing him to smash the commandments. When the people repented for worshiping the idol, God forgave them and gave Moses another set of commandments. In biblical times high priests could only enter the inner sanctum of the temple in Jerusalem on Yom Kippur where they would sprinkle blood from an animal onto the Ark of the Covenant which held the ten commandments. The ritual was performed so that the high priests could ask for forgiveness for all of the people in Isreal. When the temples were destroyed in 70 CE it was then used by rabbis in their individual
In 175 BCE the Maccabean family revolted against the Greek-Syrians who had previously taken Jerusalem, and after successfully retaking Jerusalem back the leader of the Maccabean family, Judah Maccabee, told his followers to cleanse the Second Temple and light a menorah2 on the alter. The menorah had only enough oil for one night but miraculously stayed lit for eight nights inspiring the Hanukkah celebration. The Hanukkah celebration starts on the twenty-fifth of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, between November or December. The tradition involves lighting a nine branched menorah, or hanukiah, and for each of the eight days of Hanukkah there are eight candles to be lit. The last candle is known as the shamash, or helper, and is used to light the other eight candles. Some other tradition during this time include foods fried in oil, playing with the famous four sided top known as a dreidal, and giving gifts. Even though from a religious standpoint Hanukkah is a minor holiday when compared to Yom Kippur and Passover it has been commercialized especially in North America, partially due to how close it is the Christmas, a Christian holiday famous for being quite