Here are 10 facts about the upcoming holiday of Yom Kippur:

1. Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei, concluding 10 days of soul-searching and spiritual self-awareness and self-enhancement, which begins on Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Jewish year. According to Leviticus 23:26-32: “The Lord said to Moses, that the tenth day of this seventh month [Tishrei] is the Day of Atonement. … Do not do any work on that day. … This is a lasting ordinance for generations to come….”

Yom Kippur commemorates the day of divine forgiveness for the sin of worshiping the golden calf idol. It is a warning against a recurring human fallibility: the temptation to sacrifice spiritual values on the altar of materialism.

2. The astrological sign of Tishrei is Libra, which symbolizes the scales of justice, truth, optimism, humility, and tolerance.

3. The Hebrew word Kippur [כיפור] means atonement and repentance — a derivative of the Biblical word Kaporet [כפורת], which was the dome/cover of the Holy Ark in the Sanctuary, and the word Kopher [כופר], which was the cover/dome of Noah’s Ark and the Holy Altar in the Jerusalem Temple.

4. Asking forgiveness of fellow human-beings is a major feature of Yom Kippur, transferring human behavior from acrimony and vindictiveness to forgiveness and peaceful coexistence. It is consistent with the philosophy of Hillel the Elder, a leading 1st century BCE Jewish sage: “The essence of the Torah is: do not do unto your fellow person that which is hateful to you; the rest [of the Torah] is commentary.”

5. Yom Kippur highlights magnanimity, humility, genuine-repentance, compassion, consideration, forgiveness, responsibility, optimism, and faith. It recognizes one’s fallibility, emphasizes learning from one’s mistakes, minimizing future missteps, elevating morality, and enhancing family and community cohesion. Criminals and sinners are invited to participate in Yom Kippur services.

6. Fasting is a key feature of Yom Kippur, reducing material pleasure in order to focus on one’s soul-searching, and enhancing empathy with the needy. The Hebrew spelling of fasting [צומ] is the root of the Hebrew word [צמצומ] for reducing/focusing. However, Judaism opposes asceticism and self-torment, and therefore views genuine repentance as a critical engine of elevating individuals from despair to hope.

8. Yom Kippur is concluded by blowing the Shofar, which represents a moral wake-up call. The blowing of the Shofar commemorates the saving of Isaac; the receipt of the (second) Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai; the re-entry to the Land of Israel and the conquest of Jericho by Joshua; and Gideon’s victory over the much larger Midianite military.

9. The Biblical scroll of Jonah is read on Yom Kippur, underscoring the four universal pillars of Yom Kippur: repentance, prayer/faith, justice, and forgiveness. The Prophet Jonah (“dove” in Hebrew), son of Amitay (“truth” in Hebrew), sailed to a faraway land and transformed a sinful society into a pious society, thus, displaying social responsibility.

10. A memorial candle in memory of one’s parent(s) is lit on Yom Kippur, reaffirming “Honor thy father and mother,” and providing an opportunity to ask forgiveness of one’s parent(s).

The author is a writer and former Israeli ambassador.

The opinions presented by Algemeiner bloggers are solely theirs and do not represent those of The Algemeiner, its publishers or editors. If you would like to share your views with a blog post on The Algemeiner, please be in touch through our Contact page.