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Day of Atonements - Yom Kippurim
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Day of Atonements – Yom Kippurim
Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. – Lev. 23:26-32
Biblical Month of Tishrei.
Secular Month: Sept./Oct.
Yom = Day
Kippur = Atonement(s), covering(s)
It is a Mo’edim: Appointed time, a rehearsal. Like historical plays and re-enactments.
Lev. 23:26-28 – Description of Yom Kippur
Lev. 16:29-31 – Peoples responsibility for Yom Kippur
Num. 29:7-11
Leviticus 16 tells us all about the most mysterious and most crucial, annual 24 hour period in Hebraic History; Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonements, the day of national atonement for Israel. Yom Kippur translates to, “Day of Atonements or Coverings.” It is also called, “The Sabbaths of Sabbaths,” because it is the most important High Holy Day on the Hebrew Calendar. For every High Holy Day is regarded as a weekly Sabbath (Lev. 23). It is also simply called, “The Day” and we see this referenced idiomatically in a passage in the Brit Chadasha (New Testament).
Hebrews 10:25
Ironic: English word Atonement : “At-One-ment,” at one with God.
This is also synonymous with the prophetic apocalyptic Day of Judgment; that the final Judgment will take place on Yom Kippur.
Afflict Soul – Today substitutes for sacrifice until Temple is rebuilt
5 Mortifications: To die to.
This is the traditional Jewish understanding of affliction of the soul during Yom Kippur.
1) No Eating and Drinking - From sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur until nightfall the next day it is forbidden to eat or drink. (24-28 hour period)
Life over Law: If one has a medical condition which fasting would cause harm the Rabbi’s tell us that it is sin if that person does not eat. To save a life the Talmud says one may even eat something treif!
Fasting: Science has shown a 24 hour fast once a year decreases the risk of contracting certain diseases such as cancer.
2) No Washing - During the fast, one may not wash for pleasure.
3) No Anointing - It is forbidden to anoint oneself with oil, thus the use of perfumes, make-up, suntan lotion, and other such items is prohibited.
4) No Wearing Leather Shoes - During the fast it is forbidden to wear leather shoes; because leather was seen as a comfort and luxury in ancient times. Some people wear only socks, but others wear shoes of canvas or other non-leather materials.
2-4) The point being no pampering yourself or display of wealth. This is a way of outwardly making everyone equal, so there is no outward distinction of classes within the community. Everyone is the same.
Matt. 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
If everyone participates it is not to show off. Seeing as it is Yom Kippur it is well known that everyone is fasting. So the stipulations in this verse are not in context and therefore do not apply.
5) No Marital Relations - It is forbidden to have marital relations during Yom Kippur
We are to be intimate with ADONAI at this time and not our spouse, for our spouse also needs to focus on their intimacy with ADONAI.
Month before Tishri, the Month of Elul: Is focused on repentance.
Ex. 20:1-12 – Commandments 1-5 Deals with man’s relationship with ADONAI.
The individual repents and seeks forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
10 Days of Awe:
Sundown (Rosh HaShannah) Tishrei 1- Sundown Tishrei 10: Seek forgiveness and reconciliation between them and their fellow man.
Ex. 20:12-17 – Commandments 5-10 Deal with man’s relationship with man.
Sundown Tishrei 10- Sundown Tishrei 11 – Implementation of the 5 Mortifications spoken of above. Reviewing all that was done personally during the Month of Elul and the 10 Days of Awe.
Blood sweat and tears produced by repentance and fasting act as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2)
Lev. 16:31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
Rest is commanded:
- But the Torah seems to contradict Itself. How can one be afflicted and rest simultaneously?
- We afflict ourselves because it is commanded.
- We can do this restfully because we have the God given time to do so. Also, we rest in the assurance that having done this in obedience that we are sealed in the Sefer Chaim (Book of Life) for another year.
- If you take full advantage of the Month of Elul and the 10 Days of Awe you can rest and have no need of worry on the Day of Atonements.
- The affliction becomes a joy because you know all you needed to do was accomplished during Elul and the 10 Days of Awe and you can fully focus on celebrating and thus you will even notice the afflictions we are commanded to put ourselves under.
Responsibility of Priests during Yom Kippur
- Must be a descendant of Levi and of Aaron
Hebrews 7:1-3, 11-17
This is perhaps one of the most mysterious and misunderstood priestly offices in Scripture; so much so that cults have been created based on their views and interpretations on this priesthood. The personage of Melchezidek has been confused with everyone from Yeshua to Michael the Archangel to Shem, son of Noah. It is my opinion, taking the whole of Scripture, Rabbinic Literature and Extra Biblical Texts into account that Melchezidek is Shem, Noah’s son.
Gen. 14:18-20
The only reason I bring Melchezidek up is because Yeshua, not being a Levite, but a descendant of Judah cannot be a Levitical Priest but according to prophecies in the Tanak and passages in the Brit Chadasha that Yeshua is the Priest after the order of Melchezidek which supersedes the Levitical Priesthood but does not do away with it.
Many feel this is what the Christian world terms a “Christophany” which is a physical manifestation of Yeshua the Messiah in pre-incarnate form. This very well may be true, but the text seems to indicate that Melchizedek was a real person. His name means King of Righteousness, and he was king over Salem, what is now known as Jerusalem, City of Peace. He could have been a relative of Shem, who according to Jewish tradition Shem was appointed the family priest after Noah and his sons departed from the ark.
- Yeshua was from Judah, yet genealogy implies because Miriam (Mary) was Elisabeth’s cousin, that she had some Levitical blood in her as well as Judean, and Yosef (Joseph) was Judean.
- Yeshua ultimately is a Priest of the Melchezideckian order, which is a higher and older order of Priesthood that does not negate the Levitical Priesthood. One day during Messiah’s reign Yeshua, the Priest of the order of Melchezidek will supervise the Levitical Priesthood in the 3rd Temple.
- As we just said, Shem, Noah’s son was the first Melchezideckian Priest.
Ex. 19:6; Hebrews 10:19- We are a nation of Priests going through Yeshua the Melchezideckian Priest higher than the Levitical Priesthood.
Lev. 16:3-6 – Aaron had to first perform a sacrifice for himself before he could perform the sacrifice of Yom Kippur on behalf of the Nation of Israel.
Hebrews 7:22-28 – Yeshua Melchezideckian Priest needed no sacrifice for Himself.
I believe Yeshua Ha Moshiach of the Branch is the prophesied Messiah of Israel. That He was FULLY ADONAI to be able to redeem us from our sins, and FULLY man to have the right to redeem us from our sins, to be our Kinsmen Redeemer (Ruth, Jer.17:5-7, Jn.1). Yeshua is the perfect, holy, sinless Messiah, the figurative Son of ADONAI, who is the Word that became flesh dwelt among us (Jn.1:14) who came to dwell in a mortal body that never saw corruption (Ps.14:10), a pure deity manifest in the flesh. He was not an incarnation, which would denote that 100% of ADONAI came in the flesh. Yeshua was FULLY ADONAI in the flesh, but not 100% ADONAI. ADONAI is so infinite that He is everywhere and fills everything, so it would be impossible for ALL of ADONAI to be limited to a mortal body. In the words of Dr. Friedman, “If we were to go to the Mediterranean Sea and fill a glass with sea water, we can say that all the water in the glass is truly sea water. However we cannot call the glass, “The Mediterranean Sea.” There is much more to the Mediterranean Sea than the glass. Yet nonetheless, the water in that glass is truly Mediterranean Sea water through and through.” I believe that Yeshua is the Kohen Ha Gadol (High priest) who became the ultimate, once and for all atoning sacrifice Himself, for all mankind (Heb.4:14-5:10; 6:19-8:2). I believe salvation is only available through Him. I believe Yeshua came first as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph) the Suffering Servant, and will be returning as Messiah ben David the Kingly Messiah. I believe that these two pictures of the Messiah, given in Scripture are one and the same.
Aaronic Priestly Preparation for Yom Kippur:
- Stayed up all night with other priests reading Torah to him to keep himself pure in thought and spirit prior to the Yom Kippur sacrifice.
- Yeshua perfect and sinless.
Hebrews 4:15
High Priest Breastplate and Urim and Thummim:
Exodus 27:20-30:10
V.4-43 THE GARMENTS
1. Breastplate – Hoshen
· 10 inches squared (hand span) attached by gold rings to the ephod.
· 12 different precious stones with the names of the tribes of Israel inscribed on them. The 12 tribes were to be on the priests heart at all times.
· Also contained the mysterious Urim and Thummim used to make decisions.
The ephod represents G-d’s hand with all the names of Israel inscribes on His hand and only He knows the destiny and path for all of Israel.
Isa. 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
1. Ephod/Apron
· The Ephod was made up of gold, blue, scarlet, purple wool linen blend which this material blend is forbidden for non priest to ware (Deut. 22:11).
a. Gold = Identity: Divinity
b. Blue = Origin: Heavenly
c. Purple = Position: Royalty
d. Scarlet = Purpose: Atonement
e. Linen = Result: Purity and Righteousness
· It was attached at the shoulders by 2 onyx stones with 12 tribes; One priesthood with the weight of the entire nation of his shoulders.
· Gold rings on the side to attach it to the breastplate.
2. Avnet/ Girdle/ Sash
· To symbolically separate the sexual organs and urges from the head and heart.
· Made of the same material as the Ephod.
3. Robe
· Seamless Garment made of Techelit, the blue we are commanded to put in our Tzitzit (fringes) that we were on the 4 corners of our garments.
· Alternating Golden Bells and Pomegranates attached to the bottom hem.
· Reinforcing hem around the collar.
4. Tunic – Ku Honet / Turban – Mtznefet / Tzitzit – Frontlet “Holy to ADONAI”
· The tunic was embroidered, made of fine linen like wedding garment; the priests were symbolically married to YHWH.
· The turban was a wrap made from 8 yards of material
· The Gold Frontlet Plate was engraved with “Kadosh ADONAI” (Holy to YHWH). It was like Tefillin to be a constant sober reminder of their sacred duties.
5. Undergarment
· It was a doubled fine linen apron which comes to the knees.
6. Embroidered Coat
· Diamond / Checker board like pattern
· Embroidered with the precious stones set in it.
7. Breastplate Gems (from left to right)
· Re’uven – Sardis
· Shimom – Topaz
· Levi – Emerald
· Yehudah – Turquoise
· Dan – Sapphire
· Naftali – Diamond
· Gad – Jacinth
· Asher – Agate
· Yissakhar – Amethyst
· Z’vulun – Beryl
· Yosef – Onyx
· Benyamin – Jasper
- Carried 12 tribes over his heart in guise of the stones
- Cast lots for the scapegoats
Lev. 16:7-11
Heb. 9:12-13
Yeshua represented the High Priest and both goats.
- One a sin offering
- The other sent away as the scapegoat
Lev. 16
5And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
Exd. 29:11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
6And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.
Lev. 9:7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.
- Now we see that Yeshua was sinless, He kept the Torah perfectly (Matt. 5, I John 3:4) thus He needed no bulls blood (Heb. 7:27-28; 9:12) in that yet He was human in that He could relate to our suffering because of His own (Heb. 4:15; 5:2).
7And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
8And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
- Now the casting of lots during Tabernacle times it is said was done by use of the Urim and Thummim (Exd. 28:30).
“The High Priest then approached two male goats that had been taken from the people, both of which were to be used as sin offerings. Their fates, however, were to be entirely different. Near the two goats, the High Priest shook a small box containing two lots. On one lot was written the words, “For the Lord,” and on the other lot, “For Azazel” (scapegoat). He put both hands in the box and took a lot in each hand. The hand with the lot, “For the Lord” signified which goat would be sacrificed. The other lot signified which goat would be the scapegoat. The High Priest then pronounced, “A sin offering to the Lord,” after which the people responded in worship as before. To distinguished between the two goats, the High Priest tied a red wool or rope to the head of the scapegoat and a second rope to the neck of the sacrificial goat.” – Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement: author unknown
9And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
10But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
Even though Yeshua was sacrificed during Passover, it its interesting that the element of casting lots was used to choose between Yeshua and Barabas (Mat. 27:35).
It is said the scapegoat or Azazel would be led to the wilderness thrown over a cliff, in this way Yeshua represents both the goat designated “for the L-rd,” and the scapegoat.
One of the he-goats was the National sin offering, the Azazel would become the bearer of all the peoples sins.
Now Yeshua was led out into the wilderness to be tempted to sin and was even tempted to cast Himself down from a high place (Matt. 4:1-11).Also at one point the people wanted to toss Yeshua off a cliff but His time was not yet to be the sin bearer of the people (Luke 4:16-30).
Scapegoat; Definition: In modern vernacular a scapegoat is someone that is chosen that is blamed for the problems that a group had brought upon themselves and that person becomes the brunt of all the repercussions that comes with the blame. Usually a scapegoat is unwilling to receive punishment of the guilt of the accusations. The scapegoat (animal and human) is clueless of his fate until it’s too late.
- In Yeshua we see that the blame of us all was laid upon Him and He was chosen by the people and yet it was a result of fate via prophecy.
Mark 15:7-15 And there was [one] named Barabbas, [which lay] bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire [him to do] as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do [unto him] whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.
Yeshua had trepidation about being the scapegoat yet He became it willingly.
Matt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
- The two goats represent the duel nature of Messiah being 100% sinless and divine to be able to redeem us, like the goat chosen for the Lord to be sacrificed and 100% human to have the right to be our scapegoat.
- We also see in the two goats that the first covered our sins and the second carried them away and died with them. This is exactly what Yeshua did, covered and took away our sins for Good (Heb. 10).
And did not Yochannon (John) say:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29b).”
And as the Scriptures also say:
Isa. 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
The Brit Chadasha tells us:
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people….So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation….By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb. 1:3, 2:17, 9:28, 10:10).
The ritual of the scapegoat may also be a remez (hint) to the final demise of satan, the father of sin and lies, also the one humanity blames for their troubles. He too will be cast down from a cliff like place.
Isa. 14:15-16 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, [and] consider thee, [saying, Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Lev. 16:4, 12-13 – Prep for the Holy of Holies
- Mikvah (Baptism): Ritual immersion and don special garments.
- Smoke Screen: Buffer between Fallen Flesh and Sinless Divine
- 0 tolerance: Ex: Nadab and Avihu
- Ritual done by feel due to the smoke
Ex. 33:20 - No man can see G-d and live
The “Yom Kippur” Day of Atonement Sacrifice (Autumn)
In the Tabernacle/Temple setting the veil with the angels on it (Exd. 26:31-37) symbolizes the door to the Throne Room of ADONAI on earth. The Ark is His Throne, the Cherubim on the Mercy Seat His guards and His Presence rests between them (Exd. 25:22). Thus the whole Tabernacle/Temple is symbolic of His Palace on earth.
Lev. 16:11-13
- Tommy Tenny in his book the God Chasers (Pages 57-58) goes into great detail about how the High Priest needed the buffer of incense so as not to die and to perform the necessary procedures for Yom Kippur.
This just emphasizes even more that the blood of animal sacrifices is insufficient because the High Priest is already covered with bulls blood and yet an additional covering of smoke is required for the Kohen HaGadol to go beyond the curtain into the Throne Room of the King, ADONAI Almighty!
Lev 16:14
- Done by feel
- East is the direction of the sun rise and the return of the Son, Yeshua the Messiah, it’s also the direction in which we pray in the Diaspora because it faces Jerusalem and the Holy Temple Mount.
- Seven is the number of the seven days of the creation week and therefore symbolizes completion and absolution. This mind you is only for the sins of the Priest and his family.
Lev. 16:15-16
- Now he performs essentially the same procedure with the goat’s blood for the sins of the nation of Israel.
Lev. 16:17-19
- After the “ransom of blood” is made in the Holy of Holies the blood of both animals are taken to the Brazen Altar in the Temple courtyard upon the four horns, representing the four corners of the camp. Then, just as he sprinkled the blood in the Holy of Holies, he does so at the Brazen Altar presumably in the same direction as the in the inner sanctum.
Lev. 16:20-28
- Now we see the specific-ness of the scapegoat ritual mentioned earlier and the conclusion of the Yom Kippur service.
- (Galen Peterson: Handbook of Bible Festivals)
Lev. 16:29-34
- In Ultra-Orthodox Judaism a chicken has temporarily replace the goats. I am not in agreement with this custom due to the fact there is no command to do such in Scripture and because we may only sacrifice unto YHWH at the Temple in Jerusalem. The following is taken from: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/kapparot.html
“Kapparot is a custom in which the sins of a person are symbolically transferred to a fowl. It is practiced by some Jews shortly before Yom Kippur. First, selections from Isaiah 11:9, Psalms 107:10, 14, and 17-21, and Job 33:23-24 are recited; then a rooster (for a male) or a hen (for a female) is held above the person's head and swung in a circle three times, while the following is spoken: "This is my exchange, my substitute, my atonement; this rooster (or hen) shall go to its death, but I shall go to a good, long life, and to peace." The hope is that the fowl, which is then donated to the poor for food, will take on any misfortune that might otherwise occur to the one who has taken part in the ritual, in punishment for his or her sins.
Kapparot is not mentioned in the Torah or in the Talmud. The custom is first discussed by Jewish scholars in the ninth century. They explain that since the Hebrew word gever means both "man" and "rooster", punishment of the bird can be substituted for that of a person.
According to the Encyclopedia Judaica (Volume 10, pages 756-757), several Jewish sages strongly opposed kapparot. Rabbi Solomon ben Abraham Aderet, one of the foremost Jewish scholars during the 13th century, considered it a heathen superstition. This opinion was shared by the Ramban (Nachmanides) and Rabbi Joseph Caro, who called it "a foolish custom" that Jews should avoid. They felt that it was a pagan custom that mistakenly made its way into Jewish practice, perhaps because when Jews lived among pagans this rite seemed like a korban (sacrifice) to some extent
However, the Kabbalists (led by mystics such as Rabbi Isaac Luria and Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz) perceived in this custom mystical significance which strongly appealed to many people. This greatly enhanced the popularity of the kapparot ritual down to the present day.”
- There is no denying the importance and necessity of a blood atonement, even in Judaism today.
Lev. 16:29-30
Hebrews 9:6-14, 22-28
- Leviticus says that Yom Kippur is a Statute FOREVER
- Despite misinterpretation of Hebrew: Sacrifices will continue in the 3rd Temple.
Purpose for sacrifices:
1. To be a physical object lesson that pointed to the coming Messiah and what He would do. It acted as a credit card that covered, did not take away, and rolled back the sin debt until someone, Messiah, could come along and pay it. In the time of the Third Temple the sacrifices will be a reminder of the Messiah who came and what He did (Is. 56, 66; Zech. 14:16-21). The sacrifices that took place before Yahshua came, only pointed to the Messiah which was to come. The sacrifices that will take place after Yahshua, and that will take place in the Millennial Reign, point back to Messiah’s atoning work.
2. It provided and will provide food, materials and income for the Priests and their families (Leviticus 5-10).
- The Yom Kippur Sacrifice. During the 3rd Temple it will become a powerful object lesson of what Messiah has done for us.
Matthew 5:17 - Came to fulfill, or bring the Torah into its full meaning.
Hebrews 13:11-13: Outside the camp – Yeshua likened to the Yom Kippur Sacrifice
Why Passover and Not Yom Kippur or Sukkot?
Although we see Messiah’s atoning death typified in every offering on the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice, we know He was sacrificed on Passover; but why Passover instead of Yom Kippur? Why Passover and not Sukkot when the Sacrifice were made with 70 Bulls on behalf of the 70 Nations? Also, why a human sacrifice, seeing as ADONAI abhors such a sacrifice?
The simple answer is that Yom Kippur is only for the National Atonement of Israel, the descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob and the 70 Bulls sacrificed at Sukkot is only for the Nations, whereas Passover, all the world is included because not only Israel received their deliverance and freedom, but so did the 70 Nations, for they, in the guise of the “mixed multitude” that left with and Israel received the Torah with them at Mount Sinai. This typifies our outer physical and spiritual freedom to worship ADONAI, but Messiah’s Passover Sacrifice gives us our inner spiritual freedom from the effects of the Fall of Mankind from sin which all plays a role in the ultimate redemption and restoration of all things.
Modern Observances and Beliefs:
- Believe book(s) in heaven are opened and an individual’s fate for the year is decided.
- Mikvah
- 5 mortifications
- Synagogue prayers services “Kol Nidre”
- Brake fast with light meal.
Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God. For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. – Lev. 23:26-32
Biblical Month of Tishrei.
Secular Month: Sept./Oct.
Yom = Day
Kippur = Atonement(s), covering(s)
It is a Mo’edim: Appointed time, a rehearsal. Like historical plays and re-enactments.
Lev. 23:26-28 – Description of Yom Kippur
Lev. 16:29-31 – Peoples responsibility for Yom Kippur
Num. 29:7-11
Leviticus 16 tells us all about the most mysterious and most crucial, annual 24 hour period in Hebraic History; Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonements, the day of national atonement for Israel. Yom Kippur translates to, “Day of Atonements or Coverings.” It is also called, “The Sabbaths of Sabbaths,” because it is the most important High Holy Day on the Hebrew Calendar. For every High Holy Day is regarded as a weekly Sabbath (Lev. 23). It is also simply called, “The Day” and we see this referenced idiomatically in a passage in the Brit Chadasha (New Testament).
Hebrews 10:25
Ironic: English word Atonement : “At-One-ment,” at one with God.
This is also synonymous with the prophetic apocalyptic Day of Judgment; that the final Judgment will take place on Yom Kippur.
Afflict Soul – Today substitutes for sacrifice until Temple is rebuilt
5 Mortifications: To die to.
This is the traditional Jewish understanding of affliction of the soul during Yom Kippur.
1) No Eating and Drinking - From sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur until nightfall the next day it is forbidden to eat or drink. (24-28 hour period)
Life over Law: If one has a medical condition which fasting would cause harm the Rabbi’s tell us that it is sin if that person does not eat. To save a life the Talmud says one may even eat something treif!
Fasting: Science has shown a 24 hour fast once a year decreases the risk of contracting certain diseases such as cancer.
- Girls below the age of 12 and boys below the age of 13 are not required to fast.
2) No Washing - During the fast, one may not wash for pleasure.
- If one is dirty, one is permitted to wash away the dirt.
- Upon rising in the morning and after using the bathroom.
- One may wash one's hands when preparing food.
3) No Anointing - It is forbidden to anoint oneself with oil, thus the use of perfumes, make-up, suntan lotion, and other such items is prohibited.
4) No Wearing Leather Shoes - During the fast it is forbidden to wear leather shoes; because leather was seen as a comfort and luxury in ancient times. Some people wear only socks, but others wear shoes of canvas or other non-leather materials.
2-4) The point being no pampering yourself or display of wealth. This is a way of outwardly making everyone equal, so there is no outward distinction of classes within the community. Everyone is the same.
Matt. 6:16-18 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
If everyone participates it is not to show off. Seeing as it is Yom Kippur it is well known that everyone is fasting. So the stipulations in this verse are not in context and therefore do not apply.
5) No Marital Relations - It is forbidden to have marital relations during Yom Kippur
We are to be intimate with ADONAI at this time and not our spouse, for our spouse also needs to focus on their intimacy with ADONAI.
Month before Tishri, the Month of Elul: Is focused on repentance.
Ex. 20:1-12 – Commandments 1-5 Deals with man’s relationship with ADONAI.
The individual repents and seeks forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
10 Days of Awe:
Sundown (Rosh HaShannah) Tishrei 1- Sundown Tishrei 10: Seek forgiveness and reconciliation between them and their fellow man.
Ex. 20:12-17 – Commandments 5-10 Deal with man’s relationship with man.
Sundown Tishrei 10- Sundown Tishrei 11 – Implementation of the 5 Mortifications spoken of above. Reviewing all that was done personally during the Month of Elul and the 10 Days of Awe.
Blood sweat and tears produced by repentance and fasting act as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2)
Lev. 16:31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
Rest is commanded:
- But the Torah seems to contradict Itself. How can one be afflicted and rest simultaneously?
- We afflict ourselves because it is commanded.
- We can do this restfully because we have the God given time to do so. Also, we rest in the assurance that having done this in obedience that we are sealed in the Sefer Chaim (Book of Life) for another year.
- If you take full advantage of the Month of Elul and the 10 Days of Awe you can rest and have no need of worry on the Day of Atonements.
- The affliction becomes a joy because you know all you needed to do was accomplished during Elul and the 10 Days of Awe and you can fully focus on celebrating and thus you will even notice the afflictions we are commanded to put ourselves under.
Responsibility of Priests during Yom Kippur
- Must be a descendant of Levi and of Aaron
Hebrews 7:1-3, 11-17
This is perhaps one of the most mysterious and misunderstood priestly offices in Scripture; so much so that cults have been created based on their views and interpretations on this priesthood. The personage of Melchezidek has been confused with everyone from Yeshua to Michael the Archangel to Shem, son of Noah. It is my opinion, taking the whole of Scripture, Rabbinic Literature and Extra Biblical Texts into account that Melchezidek is Shem, Noah’s son.
Gen. 14:18-20
The only reason I bring Melchezidek up is because Yeshua, not being a Levite, but a descendant of Judah cannot be a Levitical Priest but according to prophecies in the Tanak and passages in the Brit Chadasha that Yeshua is the Priest after the order of Melchezidek which supersedes the Levitical Priesthood but does not do away with it.
Many feel this is what the Christian world terms a “Christophany” which is a physical manifestation of Yeshua the Messiah in pre-incarnate form. This very well may be true, but the text seems to indicate that Melchizedek was a real person. His name means King of Righteousness, and he was king over Salem, what is now known as Jerusalem, City of Peace. He could have been a relative of Shem, who according to Jewish tradition Shem was appointed the family priest after Noah and his sons departed from the ark.
- Yeshua was from Judah, yet genealogy implies because Miriam (Mary) was Elisabeth’s cousin, that she had some Levitical blood in her as well as Judean, and Yosef (Joseph) was Judean.
- Yeshua ultimately is a Priest of the Melchezideckian order, which is a higher and older order of Priesthood that does not negate the Levitical Priesthood. One day during Messiah’s reign Yeshua, the Priest of the order of Melchezidek will supervise the Levitical Priesthood in the 3rd Temple.
- As we just said, Shem, Noah’s son was the first Melchezideckian Priest.
Ex. 19:6; Hebrews 10:19- We are a nation of Priests going through Yeshua the Melchezideckian Priest higher than the Levitical Priesthood.
Lev. 16:3-6 – Aaron had to first perform a sacrifice for himself before he could perform the sacrifice of Yom Kippur on behalf of the Nation of Israel.
Hebrews 7:22-28 – Yeshua Melchezideckian Priest needed no sacrifice for Himself.
I believe Yeshua Ha Moshiach of the Branch is the prophesied Messiah of Israel. That He was FULLY ADONAI to be able to redeem us from our sins, and FULLY man to have the right to redeem us from our sins, to be our Kinsmen Redeemer (Ruth, Jer.17:5-7, Jn.1). Yeshua is the perfect, holy, sinless Messiah, the figurative Son of ADONAI, who is the Word that became flesh dwelt among us (Jn.1:14) who came to dwell in a mortal body that never saw corruption (Ps.14:10), a pure deity manifest in the flesh. He was not an incarnation, which would denote that 100% of ADONAI came in the flesh. Yeshua was FULLY ADONAI in the flesh, but not 100% ADONAI. ADONAI is so infinite that He is everywhere and fills everything, so it would be impossible for ALL of ADONAI to be limited to a mortal body. In the words of Dr. Friedman, “If we were to go to the Mediterranean Sea and fill a glass with sea water, we can say that all the water in the glass is truly sea water. However we cannot call the glass, “The Mediterranean Sea.” There is much more to the Mediterranean Sea than the glass. Yet nonetheless, the water in that glass is truly Mediterranean Sea water through and through.” I believe that Yeshua is the Kohen Ha Gadol (High priest) who became the ultimate, once and for all atoning sacrifice Himself, for all mankind (Heb.4:14-5:10; 6:19-8:2). I believe salvation is only available through Him. I believe Yeshua came first as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph) the Suffering Servant, and will be returning as Messiah ben David the Kingly Messiah. I believe that these two pictures of the Messiah, given in Scripture are one and the same.
Aaronic Priestly Preparation for Yom Kippur:
- Stayed up all night with other priests reading Torah to him to keep himself pure in thought and spirit prior to the Yom Kippur sacrifice.
- Yeshua perfect and sinless.
Hebrews 4:15
High Priest Breastplate and Urim and Thummim:
Exodus 27:20-30:10
V.4-43 THE GARMENTS
1. Breastplate – Hoshen
· 10 inches squared (hand span) attached by gold rings to the ephod.
· 12 different precious stones with the names of the tribes of Israel inscribed on them. The 12 tribes were to be on the priests heart at all times.
· Also contained the mysterious Urim and Thummim used to make decisions.
The ephod represents G-d’s hand with all the names of Israel inscribes on His hand and only He knows the destiny and path for all of Israel.
Isa. 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
1. Ephod/Apron
· The Ephod was made up of gold, blue, scarlet, purple wool linen blend which this material blend is forbidden for non priest to ware (Deut. 22:11).
a. Gold = Identity: Divinity
b. Blue = Origin: Heavenly
c. Purple = Position: Royalty
d. Scarlet = Purpose: Atonement
e. Linen = Result: Purity and Righteousness
· It was attached at the shoulders by 2 onyx stones with 12 tribes; One priesthood with the weight of the entire nation of his shoulders.
· Gold rings on the side to attach it to the breastplate.
2. Avnet/ Girdle/ Sash
· To symbolically separate the sexual organs and urges from the head and heart.
· Made of the same material as the Ephod.
3. Robe
· Seamless Garment made of Techelit, the blue we are commanded to put in our Tzitzit (fringes) that we were on the 4 corners of our garments.
· Alternating Golden Bells and Pomegranates attached to the bottom hem.
· Reinforcing hem around the collar.
4. Tunic – Ku Honet / Turban – Mtznefet / Tzitzit – Frontlet “Holy to ADONAI”
· The tunic was embroidered, made of fine linen like wedding garment; the priests were symbolically married to YHWH.
· The turban was a wrap made from 8 yards of material
· The Gold Frontlet Plate was engraved with “Kadosh ADONAI” (Holy to YHWH). It was like Tefillin to be a constant sober reminder of their sacred duties.
5. Undergarment
· It was a doubled fine linen apron which comes to the knees.
6. Embroidered Coat
· Diamond / Checker board like pattern
· Embroidered with the precious stones set in it.
7. Breastplate Gems (from left to right)
· Re’uven – Sardis
· Shimom – Topaz
· Levi – Emerald
· Yehudah – Turquoise
· Dan – Sapphire
· Naftali – Diamond
· Gad – Jacinth
· Asher – Agate
· Yissakhar – Amethyst
· Z’vulun – Beryl
· Yosef – Onyx
· Benyamin – Jasper
- Carried 12 tribes over his heart in guise of the stones
- Cast lots for the scapegoats
Lev. 16:7-11
Heb. 9:12-13
Yeshua represented the High Priest and both goats.
- One a sin offering
- The other sent away as the scapegoat
Lev. 16
5And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
Exd. 29:11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
6And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.
Lev. 9:7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.
- Now we see that Yeshua was sinless, He kept the Torah perfectly (Matt. 5, I John 3:4) thus He needed no bulls blood (Heb. 7:27-28; 9:12) in that yet He was human in that He could relate to our suffering because of His own (Heb. 4:15; 5:2).
7And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
8And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
- Now the casting of lots during Tabernacle times it is said was done by use of the Urim and Thummim (Exd. 28:30).
“The High Priest then approached two male goats that had been taken from the people, both of which were to be used as sin offerings. Their fates, however, were to be entirely different. Near the two goats, the High Priest shook a small box containing two lots. On one lot was written the words, “For the Lord,” and on the other lot, “For Azazel” (scapegoat). He put both hands in the box and took a lot in each hand. The hand with the lot, “For the Lord” signified which goat would be sacrificed. The other lot signified which goat would be the scapegoat. The High Priest then pronounced, “A sin offering to the Lord,” after which the people responded in worship as before. To distinguished between the two goats, the High Priest tied a red wool or rope to the head of the scapegoat and a second rope to the neck of the sacrificial goat.” – Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement: author unknown
9And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
10But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
Even though Yeshua was sacrificed during Passover, it its interesting that the element of casting lots was used to choose between Yeshua and Barabas (Mat. 27:35).
It is said the scapegoat or Azazel would be led to the wilderness thrown over a cliff, in this way Yeshua represents both the goat designated “for the L-rd,” and the scapegoat.
One of the he-goats was the National sin offering, the Azazel would become the bearer of all the peoples sins.
Now Yeshua was led out into the wilderness to be tempted to sin and was even tempted to cast Himself down from a high place (Matt. 4:1-11).Also at one point the people wanted to toss Yeshua off a cliff but His time was not yet to be the sin bearer of the people (Luke 4:16-30).
Scapegoat; Definition: In modern vernacular a scapegoat is someone that is chosen that is blamed for the problems that a group had brought upon themselves and that person becomes the brunt of all the repercussions that comes with the blame. Usually a scapegoat is unwilling to receive punishment of the guilt of the accusations. The scapegoat (animal and human) is clueless of his fate until it’s too late.
- In Yeshua we see that the blame of us all was laid upon Him and He was chosen by the people and yet it was a result of fate via prophecy.
Mark 15:7-15 And there was [one] named Barabbas, [which lay] bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire [him to do] as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do [unto him] whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.
Yeshua had trepidation about being the scapegoat yet He became it willingly.
Matt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
- The two goats represent the duel nature of Messiah being 100% sinless and divine to be able to redeem us, like the goat chosen for the Lord to be sacrificed and 100% human to have the right to be our scapegoat.
- We also see in the two goats that the first covered our sins and the second carried them away and died with them. This is exactly what Yeshua did, covered and took away our sins for Good (Heb. 10).
And did not Yochannon (John) say:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29b).”
And as the Scriptures also say:
Isa. 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
The Brit Chadasha tells us:
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people….So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation….By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb. 1:3, 2:17, 9:28, 10:10).
The ritual of the scapegoat may also be a remez (hint) to the final demise of satan, the father of sin and lies, also the one humanity blames for their troubles. He too will be cast down from a cliff like place.
Isa. 14:15-16 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, [and] consider thee, [saying, Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Lev. 16:4, 12-13 – Prep for the Holy of Holies
- Mikvah (Baptism): Ritual immersion and don special garments.
- Smoke Screen: Buffer between Fallen Flesh and Sinless Divine
- 0 tolerance: Ex: Nadab and Avihu
- Ritual done by feel due to the smoke
Ex. 33:20 - No man can see G-d and live
The “Yom Kippur” Day of Atonement Sacrifice (Autumn)
In the Tabernacle/Temple setting the veil with the angels on it (Exd. 26:31-37) symbolizes the door to the Throne Room of ADONAI on earth. The Ark is His Throne, the Cherubim on the Mercy Seat His guards and His Presence rests between them (Exd. 25:22). Thus the whole Tabernacle/Temple is symbolic of His Palace on earth.
Lev. 16:11-13
- Tommy Tenny in his book the God Chasers (Pages 57-58) goes into great detail about how the High Priest needed the buffer of incense so as not to die and to perform the necessary procedures for Yom Kippur.
This just emphasizes even more that the blood of animal sacrifices is insufficient because the High Priest is already covered with bulls blood and yet an additional covering of smoke is required for the Kohen HaGadol to go beyond the curtain into the Throne Room of the King, ADONAI Almighty!
Lev 16:14
- Done by feel
- East is the direction of the sun rise and the return of the Son, Yeshua the Messiah, it’s also the direction in which we pray in the Diaspora because it faces Jerusalem and the Holy Temple Mount.
- Seven is the number of the seven days of the creation week and therefore symbolizes completion and absolution. This mind you is only for the sins of the Priest and his family.
Lev. 16:15-16
- Now he performs essentially the same procedure with the goat’s blood for the sins of the nation of Israel.
Lev. 16:17-19
- After the “ransom of blood” is made in the Holy of Holies the blood of both animals are taken to the Brazen Altar in the Temple courtyard upon the four horns, representing the four corners of the camp. Then, just as he sprinkled the blood in the Holy of Holies, he does so at the Brazen Altar presumably in the same direction as the in the inner sanctum.
Lev. 16:20-28
- Now we see the specific-ness of the scapegoat ritual mentioned earlier and the conclusion of the Yom Kippur service.
- (Galen Peterson: Handbook of Bible Festivals)
Lev. 16:29-34
- In Ultra-Orthodox Judaism a chicken has temporarily replace the goats. I am not in agreement with this custom due to the fact there is no command to do such in Scripture and because we may only sacrifice unto YHWH at the Temple in Jerusalem. The following is taken from: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/kapparot.html
“Kapparot is a custom in which the sins of a person are symbolically transferred to a fowl. It is practiced by some Jews shortly before Yom Kippur. First, selections from Isaiah 11:9, Psalms 107:10, 14, and 17-21, and Job 33:23-24 are recited; then a rooster (for a male) or a hen (for a female) is held above the person's head and swung in a circle three times, while the following is spoken: "This is my exchange, my substitute, my atonement; this rooster (or hen) shall go to its death, but I shall go to a good, long life, and to peace." The hope is that the fowl, which is then donated to the poor for food, will take on any misfortune that might otherwise occur to the one who has taken part in the ritual, in punishment for his or her sins.
Kapparot is not mentioned in the Torah or in the Talmud. The custom is first discussed by Jewish scholars in the ninth century. They explain that since the Hebrew word gever means both "man" and "rooster", punishment of the bird can be substituted for that of a person.
According to the Encyclopedia Judaica (Volume 10, pages 756-757), several Jewish sages strongly opposed kapparot. Rabbi Solomon ben Abraham Aderet, one of the foremost Jewish scholars during the 13th century, considered it a heathen superstition. This opinion was shared by the Ramban (Nachmanides) and Rabbi Joseph Caro, who called it "a foolish custom" that Jews should avoid. They felt that it was a pagan custom that mistakenly made its way into Jewish practice, perhaps because when Jews lived among pagans this rite seemed like a korban (sacrifice) to some extent
However, the Kabbalists (led by mystics such as Rabbi Isaac Luria and Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz) perceived in this custom mystical significance which strongly appealed to many people. This greatly enhanced the popularity of the kapparot ritual down to the present day.”
- There is no denying the importance and necessity of a blood atonement, even in Judaism today.
Lev. 16:29-30
Hebrews 9:6-14, 22-28
- Leviticus says that Yom Kippur is a Statute FOREVER
- Despite misinterpretation of Hebrew: Sacrifices will continue in the 3rd Temple.
Purpose for sacrifices:
1. To be a physical object lesson that pointed to the coming Messiah and what He would do. It acted as a credit card that covered, did not take away, and rolled back the sin debt until someone, Messiah, could come along and pay it. In the time of the Third Temple the sacrifices will be a reminder of the Messiah who came and what He did (Is. 56, 66; Zech. 14:16-21). The sacrifices that took place before Yahshua came, only pointed to the Messiah which was to come. The sacrifices that will take place after Yahshua, and that will take place in the Millennial Reign, point back to Messiah’s atoning work.
2. It provided and will provide food, materials and income for the Priests and their families (Leviticus 5-10).
- The Yom Kippur Sacrifice. During the 3rd Temple it will become a powerful object lesson of what Messiah has done for us.
Matthew 5:17 - Came to fulfill, or bring the Torah into its full meaning.
Hebrews 13:11-13: Outside the camp – Yeshua likened to the Yom Kippur Sacrifice
Why Passover and Not Yom Kippur or Sukkot?
Although we see Messiah’s atoning death typified in every offering on the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice, we know He was sacrificed on Passover; but why Passover instead of Yom Kippur? Why Passover and not Sukkot when the Sacrifice were made with 70 Bulls on behalf of the 70 Nations? Also, why a human sacrifice, seeing as ADONAI abhors such a sacrifice?
The simple answer is that Yom Kippur is only for the National Atonement of Israel, the descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob and the 70 Bulls sacrificed at Sukkot is only for the Nations, whereas Passover, all the world is included because not only Israel received their deliverance and freedom, but so did the 70 Nations, for they, in the guise of the “mixed multitude” that left with and Israel received the Torah with them at Mount Sinai. This typifies our outer physical and spiritual freedom to worship ADONAI, but Messiah’s Passover Sacrifice gives us our inner spiritual freedom from the effects of the Fall of Mankind from sin which all plays a role in the ultimate redemption and restoration of all things.
Modern Observances and Beliefs:
- Believe book(s) in heaven are opened and an individual’s fate for the year is decided.
- Mikvah
- 5 mortifications
- Synagogue prayers services “Kol Nidre”
- Brake fast with light meal.