As the sun sets and the familiar melody of Kol Nidrei is heard in synagogues across Israel and throughout the Jewish world, we enter Yom Kippur, the **Yom HaDin**, the Day of Judgment.

This year, Yom Kippur comes as Israel prepares for another national election. Our public life is filled with political debate, strong opinions and deep disagreements. Elections are an important part of public life, but they can also sharpen the divisions between us.

Yom Kippur asks us to step back from all of this and remember something deeper: before we are members of different political camps, we are members of one people.

That message can be found in one of the most striking details of the Avodah of Yom Kippur, the special service performed in the Beis Hamikdash on this day.

Throughout the year, the Kohen Gadol served in eight magnificent garments. They included gold and precious stones and reflected the honor and glory of his position and, in a broader sense, the glory of the Jewish people.

But for the special Avodah of Yom Kippur, when he entered the Kodesh Kodoshim, he removed the golden garments and wore four simple white linen garments.

In Rosh Hashanah 26a, Rav Chisda explains:

מפני מה אין כהן גדול נכנס בבגדי זהב לפני ולפנים… לפי שאין קטיגור נעשה סניגור.

“Why does the Kohen Gadol not enter wearing golden garments? Because the accuser cannot become the defender.”

The Gemara explains that the gold could recall the sin of the Golden Calf. On the very day when the Jewish people came before Hashem seeking forgiveness, the Kohen Gadol did not enter the Kodesh Kodoshim wearing something that could bring that sin to mind.

There is a powerful lesson here.

On Yom Kippur, the Yom HaDin, we do not come before Hashem surrounded by our achievements or trying to justify ourselves. We come seeking forgiveness. We put aside the things that can distract us from the essential task of the day and stand before Hashem with........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)