B"H

Tuesday, Tishrei 9, 5783 / October 4, 2022

The fast day of Yom Kippur will begin Tuesday night through Wednesday. Yom Kippur is the Day when G-d forgives our sins.

On Yom Kippur only sins which were committed against G-d are forgiven. However, if one hurts someone, steals from another or cheats someone, they first have to pay back what they stole or the damage they have done. Otherwise, Yom Kippur doesn’t forgive.   

Here are some of the many customs and their reasons associated with preparing for Yom Kippur. 

Custom:  It is customary to ask forgiveness from each other before Yom Kippur.

Reason:As mentioned, there are two general categories of sin; wrong-doings that we may have committed against G-d and wrong-doings that we did against others. Wrong doings committed against other people will be forgiven only after first receiving forgiveness from that person. For this reason, it is customary to ask forgiveness before Yom Kippur.  By the same token, we must remember that according to Jewish law, when one sincerely asks forgiveness, it is a sin not to grant it.  Forgiving others is a good recipe that, measure for measure, we will be granted G-d's forgiveness.

Custom:   On Yom Kippur we wear a white garment, called “Kittel.”

Reason:  White represents cleanliness & purity.  In the Yom Kippur service, we recite the words of the prophet in which G-d says, "If your sins are as red as the scarlet thread, they will become as white as snow."  Because on this day we are granted forgiveness for our sins, we wear the "Kittel" which represents purity and spiritual cleanliness.

Custom:  During the afternoon meal before Yom Kippur, it is customary to eat pancakes filled with meat (called Kreplach).  

Reason:  As mentioned above, in the Yom Kippur service we quote from the prophet Isaiah (1:18), "If your sins are as red as the scarlet thread, they will become as white as snow."  We eat "Kreplach" which consists of red meat covered withwhite, which symbolizes forgiveness of our sins.

Custom: On the day before Yom Kippur charity plates from various charitable causes are put out in synagogue for people to give extra tzedaka.

Reason:  In the High Holiday prayers we say, “Repentance, Prayer and Charitynullify a severe decree. Thus, we distribute extra charity to nullify any extreme negative decree against us, so that we will be inscribed for a good, healthy, and sweet year. Amen.

MAY WE ALL BE SEALED FOR A GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL YEAR & EASY FAST

Montreal Yom Kippur candle lighting time: 6:11 / Yom Kippur ends: 7:11