Yom Kippur, A Sanctuary of Time

In almost every Jewish community, there are people known as the “Jews of Yom Kippur”: those who never enter a synagogue during the year except on that day. Some come as soon as Kol Nidrei, others arrive only for Yizkor or Neilah. They may not keep kosher, observe Shabbat, or otherwise appear connected to Jewish religious life. Yet on this one day, they show up.

Calling someone a “Jew of Yom Kippur” is no compliment. It is a derogatory statement, implying a somewhat lesser degree of Jewishness, as if religious commitment could be measured by the number of days one spends in synagogue. But such judgment is inconsistent with the meaning of Yom Kippur itself.

According to the Midrashic tradition, Yom Kippur was the day that Moses descended with the second tablets, signifying God’s forgiveness after the sin of the Golden Calf. But while Yom Kippur is known as the day of Atonement and Forgiveness, it is also the day of the great gathering of the Jewish people. It is the one moment in the Jewish calendar when ALL Jews, regardless of their levels of observance, identification, and location in Israel or the Diaspora, are called upon to gather together and turn toward God. Just like they did when Moses came down Mount Sinai for the second time, uniting in awe and collective repentance to witness and accept the renewed Covenant, and start anew.

This dimension of fraternity and unity is however often overlooked as we insist on repentance and expiation. Almost three years on from October 7th, it has acquired a far more tangible meaning, as we witness the incredible unity that our people is capable of despite its deep fractures and great differences. And yet, despite those differences, on Yom Kippur, everyone (or almost everyone) becomes part of the great congregation of Israel – not only spiritually, but........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)