The Feast of Atonement – Yom Kippur
BEGINS: SUNDOWN THUR 2ND OCT
ENDS: SUNDOWN FRI 3RD OCT
This day is a High Shabbat (no work)
The Feast of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur (𐤉𐤅𐤌 𐤊𐤐𐤓), is the most qodesh (holy) day of the year in Yahuah’s calendar. It falls on the 10th day of the 7th month (Wayyiqra/Leviticus 23:26–32) and comes at the close of the Ten Days of Awe, following Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpets).
This day is not a feast of eating but a feast of humbling, fasting, and drawing near to Yahuah. It is a solemn moed (appointed time) when the people of Yashar’al were commanded to “afflict their beings” (Wayyiqra 23:27) and cease from all work.
Why Yom Kippur Matters
The Feast of Atonement reminds us of Yahuah’s great mercy and His desire to cleanse His people from unrighteousness/sin. In the days of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Temple, the High Priest entered the Most Qodesh (holy) Place only on this day. He sprinkled the blood of the sin offering on the kapporeth (mercy seat), making atonement for the nation of Yashar’al (Wayyiqra 16).
For us today, we look to Yahusha ha’Mashiach, who entered not into an earthly temple but into the shamayim (heavens) itself, offering His own blood once for all (Ibrim/Hebrews 9:11–12). Through Him we receive forgiveness, cleansing, and reconciliation with Yahuah.
How We Honour This Day
🌿 1. Fasting (If Able):
We lay aside food and drink as a sign of humbling our beings before Yahuah. This helps us focus on prayer, reflection, and dependence on Him.
🌿 2. Ceasing from Work:
Like the weekly Shabbat, Yom Kippur is a complete rest. We set aside our daily labours to meet with Yahuah.
🌿 3. Reflection and Teshuvah:
This is a time to look deeply into our lives, confess our trespasses, and turn back to Yahuah in teshuvah (repentance).
🌿 4. Prayer for the Book of Life:
We ask Yahuah that our names, and the names of our loved ones, be written and sealed in the Sefer ha’Chayim (Book of Life), through the atoning work of Yahusha.
🌿 5. Reading Scripture:
Tehillim 32, 51, and 130 are powerful psalms of confession and cleansing. Reading Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 16 helps us remember the priestly service and Yahusha’s greater atonement.
A Palal (prayer) for Yom Kippur
Yahuah my Father, I humble myself before You on this day of Atonement. Cleanse me from all wickedness, forgive my trespasses, and draw me near to You. Through Yahusha, our High Priest and atoning sacrifice, I ask that my name and the names of my loved ones be written in the Book of Life. Help us to walk in Your Turah with a pure heart, and to live as Your qodesh people. In Yahusha’s name I palal. Aman.
Looking Ahead
Yom Kippur is not only about sorrow for trespasses, it points forward to the day when Yahusha will return as Judge and King. On that day, all accounts will be settled, and Yahuah’s people will rejoice in His deliverance. Until then, we use this moed (appointed time) each year to renew our covenant walk, to be cleansed, and to remember that our hope rests in Yahusha’s finished work.
The Feast of Atonement is a gift, a yearly reminder that Yahuah is merciful, ready to forgive, and faithful to cleanse. As we fast, palal, and reflect, we are barak to know that He is near to those who seek Him with all their hearts.
