The Holiest Day

Have you ever found yourself needing to apologize to someone… and dreading it? Or have you been hurt by someone who refused to apologize for something they did to you?

Saying “I’m sorry” can be one of the hardest things to do.

On this podcast episode about Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Yael Eckstein explores how those two words—“I’m sorry”—relate to the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Admitting our wrongdoings, committing to change, and moving forward is what this biblical holy dayis all about.

When we say, “I’m sorry”—and when we mean it—God has mercy and He forgives. And those two little words have the power to heal relationships and change the world for the better.

Learn more about the High Holy Days by visiting our Learn Center.

Episode Notes:

Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. The Bible designated this day—the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei—as a “Day of Atonement,” a day on which God forgives our sins, and a day to be observed ten days after the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

God’s Word tells us that Yom Kippuris a day set aside for cleansing and repentance. And in this episode, Yael Eckstein focuses on Leviticus 16:29-30, which is the first time the Bible mentions this holy day:

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins.”

Yael explains the biblical origins of Yom Kippur. The holy day was observed in Bible times at the Holy Temple with the High Priest entering the Holies of Holies in the Temple and seeking forgiveness for the people.

While the celebration looks different today, the meaning is still the same. Yael shares how her family observes this sacred day, with fasting, prayer, and a beautiful liturgy. The holiness of the day is tangible throughout Israel as there are almost no cars in the streets and the stores are all closed. The silence—which is so unusual in our day and age—speaks volumes about the sanctity of the day.

Yom Kippur is a time when the Jewish people atone for their sins. The gift of the holiday season is that God can wipe the slate clean and His people can all have a fresh start. But first, everyone needs to take responsibility and make amends for past mistakes. Then, God grants the gift of forgiveness. As people of faith, the gift of renewal and a fresh start is ours to receive—when we seek forgiveness, give forgiveness, and give the past to God.