B"H
Monday, Tishrei 8, 5780 / October 7, 2019
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) will be Tuesday night and Wednesday. Yom Kippur is a day we spend mostly in the synagogue engaged in prayer asking G-d for forgiveness.
Our sages say that G-d performs towards us measure for measure. As we act towards others, so too, He acts towards us. Thus, our sages encourage us that we should be forgiving towards others as a preparation to Yom Kippur. When we come before G-d with our request for forgiveness, G-d will forgive us too.
Q. Are all sins forgiven on Yom Kippur?
A. Our sages tell us that only sins committed against G-d are forgiven on Yom Kippur. Wrongdoings committed against people are forgiven only after receiving forgiveness from that person, and restitution made, if there was any loss incurred to that person.
For this reason, it is customary to ask forgiveness from others before Yom Kippur, especially when one knows for sure that they have done something wrong to them.
Q. The Hebrew date for Yom Kippur is the 10th day in the month of Tishrei. Although the secular date varies from year to year, the Hebrew date is always the same. Why did G-d choose the 10th of Tishrei as Yom Kippur - the Day of forgiveness?
A. After the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, when the Jewish people sinned by making the Golden Calf, G-d wanted to annihilate the entire nation.
Moshe stood up for his people and pleaded with G-d for forgiveness. After many prayers, Moshe finally secured G-d's forgiveness for the Jewish people. It was on the 10th of Tishrei that G-d forgave the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calf and gave Moshe the Second Tablets.
As a result, G-d designated the 10th of Tishrei as the day of forgiveness for all generations.
Q. In addition to the regular candles which we light in honor of Yom Kippur, as we do for Shabbat and holidays, it is customary to light a candle before Yom Kippur which burns until the end of Yom Kippur. Why?
A. Our soul is compared to a candle. On this day, when our sins are forgiven and our souls will be shining clear and pure it is befitting to symbolize this through the bright light of a candle. We also light the candle in honor of the souls of our deceased loved ones whose souls are in heaven.
Also, the Torah is called “light.” Yom Kippur is the day when Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the Second Tablets. In honor of the Torah, we light a special candle for Yom Kippur.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & GMAR CHATIMA TOVA