What is the Day of Atonement?

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur in Hebrew, is a significant and solemn holy day observed in the biblical calendar. It is described in Leviticus 23:27-28: “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to YAHUAH. Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before YAHUAH your Elohim.” This day is recognized as the most solemn of all the Israelite feasts and festivals, dedicated to seeking atonement and reconciliation with YAHUAH.

The Rituals of Atonement

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest performed intricate rituals to atone for the sins of the people. These rituals are detailed in Leviticus 16:1-34:

• Leviticus 16:6: “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.”
  The ritual began with the high priest, initially Aaron, offering a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household. This act of atonement was essential before he could perform the rituals for the entire nation.

• Leviticus 16:8: “He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for YAHUAH and the other for the scapegoat.”
  Two goats were chosen: one for YAHUAH and one as the scapegoat. The goat designated for YAHUAH was sacrificed as a sin offering, while the scapegoat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and sent into the wilderness, carrying away their sins.

• Leviticus 16:20-22: “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness... The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place.”
  The laying of hands on the scapegoat symbolically transferred the sins of the people onto the goat, which was then released into the wilderness, signifying the removal of sin from the community.

The Fulfillment in Yahusha

The rituals of Yom Kippur foreshadowed the ultimate atonement accomplished by Yahusha. His sacrifice fulfilled and transcended the Old Covenant practices:

• Hebrews 9:11-12: “But when Messiah came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands... He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
  Unlike the high priests of Israel who entered the earthly Holy of Holies with the blood of animals, Yahusha entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, securing eternal redemption for humanity.

• Hebrews 9:28: “So Messiah was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”
  Yahusha’s sacrifice was a once-for-all act of atonement that took away the sins of many. His future return will complete the salvation process for those who await Him.

The Day of Atonement rituals pointed forward to the ultimate atonement provided by Yahusha, who became the perfect High Priest and the ultimate sacrificial offering. His death and resurrection fulfill the atonement requirements, offering complete reconciliation and eternal redemption.

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was a profound and solemn day for the Israelites, marked by intricate rituals for sin atonement. These rituals, described in Leviticus 16 and 23, highlighted the need for purification and reconciliation with YAHUAH. Yahusha’s atoning sacrifice, fulfilling and surpassing these Old Covenant practices, offers believers both present and future assurance of complete redemption and restored relationship with YAHUAH.

How to Keep the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): Written Torah Instructions 

1. Timing of the Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is observed on the 10th day of the 7th month of the Hebrew calendar, which is Tishri. It is a solemn day dedicated to fasting, repentance, and seeking forgiveness.

• Leviticus 23:27-28: “Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to YAHUAH. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before YAHUAH your Elohim.”

New Testament Reference: Yom Kippur emphasizes repentance and forgiveness, themes that are foundational in the New Testament as well.

• Hebrews 9:22: “And according to the Torah, almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

2. The Practice of Fasting

On Yom Kippur, it is commanded that the people of Israel fast and refrain from certain physical pleasures as an expression of repentance and humility.

• Leviticus 16:29-31: “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before YAHUAH. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.”

New Testament Reference: The concept of fasting for repentance and seeking forgiveness is reflected in Yahusha’s teachings and the practices of the early believers.

• Matthew 6:16: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

3. The High Priest’s Role

On the Day of Atonement, the High Priest performed specific rituals, including the sacrifice of a goat as a sin offering and the release of a scapegoat into the wilderness to symbolize the removal of sin.

• Leviticus 16:7-10: “He shall take the two goats and present them before YAHUAH at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for YAHUAH and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the YAHUAH’s lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before YAHUAH, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.”

New Testament Reference: Yahusha’s sacrifice is viewed as the ultimate fulfillment of the Day of Atonement’s requirements, providing a once-for-all atonement for sin.

• Hebrews 9:12: “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

4. Observance and Customs

The Day of Atonement is a day of rest, prayer, and seeking reconciliation with YAHUAH. It is a time to reflect on personal and communal sins and to make amends.

• Leviticus 16:31: “It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.”

New Testament Reference: The New Testament emphasizes the importance of repentance and reconciliation with YAHUAH through Yahusha’s atoning sacrifice.

• Acts 3:19: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Master.”

5. Future Fulfillment

The Day of Atonement will have its ultimate fulfillment in the future, where the final atonement and reconciliation will occur with the establishment of YAHUAH’s Kingdom.

• Zechariah 12:10: “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

New Testament Reference: The future aspect of Yom Kippur is tied to the ultimate reconciliation and redemption through Messiah.

• Romans 11:26: “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.’”

Conclusion

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is a profound day of fasting, repentance, and seeking reconciliation with YAHUAH. Its observance involves fasting, prayer, and reflection on personal and communal sins. The rituals performed by the High Priest are fulfilled in Yahusha’s sacrifice, which provides ultimate atonement for sin. As we observe Yom Kippur, we look forward to the future fulfillment of this day with the complete restoration and reconciliation of all things through Messiah.

The Promised Land draws near! Amein Alleluyah.