B"H

Friday, Tishrei 9, 5785 / October 11, 2024

Yom Kippur, the Holiest day of the year, begins this evening through Shabbat. It is the only fast day we fast on Shabbat.

Q.  Yom Kippur begins with the Kol Nidrei prayer.   What is the significance of this prayer?

A.   Kol Nidrei is a prayer in which we declare our vows null and void. It was created in Aramaic, rather than Hebrew, because it was the spoken language of the Jews in Babylon at the time.  The only vows which we can nullify in Kol Nidrei are those which don't involve other people. However, vows and promises made to others do not become nullified on Yom Kippur.

Kol Nidrei gained much significance during the Spanish Inquisition. Then, many Jews, known as "Marranos", vowed to renounce their religion under the threat of death, yet in their heart remained loyal to Judaism.  They would gather on Yom Kippur in secrecy and use Kol Nidrei to renounce their vows against the religion that was forced upon them.

Q.   Why is the Kol Nidrei repeated three times?

A.   According to the Talmud, important announcements used to be repeated three times.  The repetition of the Kol Nidrei emphasizes its importance.  On a more practical level, we repeat it so that those who came late to the synagogue should not miss Kol Nidrei.

Q.  Are all sins forgiven on Yom Kippur?

A.  Only sins between us and G-d are forgiven, but sins which are committed against another person, are not forgiven until the person corrects their actions and asks forgiveness from the other.

Q.  Why do we fast on Yom Kippur?

A.  There are many reasons. Here are a few: 1) Being the day of atonement we spend the time with spiritual matters and not physical appetites.

2) Fasting humbles a person.  Thus, on Yom Kippur, when we must perform Teshuva-repentance with all our heart, with humility, we refrain from eating or drinking.

3) On Yom Kippur, when we are forgiven for our sins, we are considered as pure as angels. We express this by acting like angels who don't eat or drink.

May we ALL be sealed for a good, happy and healthy year. May we see peace-Shalom and prosperity in Israel. May ALL the hostages be freed NOW and those who need be healed NOW.

SHABBAT SHALOM, A SHANA TOVA, A GMAR CHATIMA TOVA AND AN EASY FAST

Montreal Friday candle lighting time: 5:57 / Yom Kippur ends: 6:57