by Grace Araujo Kolman.

Created on: May 20, 2008

Yom Kippur is a HAPPY HIGH HOLY DAY! The holiday's goal is NOT self-mortification, but a day of reconciliation with people and God.

The Jewish calendar is lunar lasting 354 days, even though closely tied to the solar calendar of 365 days. Jews celebrate the New Year in the fall with two of their most important holidays: Rosh Hashanah e Yom Kippur. They are also called High Holy Days for their deep meaning in the Jewish Spirituality Tradition.

Although many people believe in the myth about Yom Kippur being a day of sadness, mainly because it is a fast day, the rabbis of the Talmud affirmed it as one of the happiest holiday for the Jewish people. During the Yom Kippur Jews all of the world are praying for forgiveness of the sins they have committed against God. It's important to remember that the offenses committed to another person need to be addressed in person. You are encouraged to sincerely ask for forgiveness to the person you have offended at least three times. The victim of the offense is also required to be forgiving, so he shows his compassion and love for his neighbor.

Yom Kippur comes on the tenth day after Rosh Hashanah. At home the families light the holiday candles as a way to remember people we loved who are now dead. This is the only fast day commanded in the Torah. During this day Jews are also forbidden to drink any kind of liquids, bathe, have sexual relations, or wear leather shoes (as a sign of humbleness). The last meal before the holiday is called "se'uda mafseket" or closing meal. Ones needs to be aware of the long 25 hours of fasting, so it's important to have a non-salted dish (usually the families prepare boiled chicken) avoiding too much spicy, so the fasters won't be thirsty.

The service during the Yom Kippur usually goes from morning to sunset, with some short breaks. During the service Jews are called to confess their sins and repent. Jewish tradition teaches that each of us bears some responsibility for the sins committed by other Jews, so it gives all of us a sense of an engaged community in the entire planet. It's a time to think and to pray; also an opportunity that we have every year to look ahead to the New Year and make a new start.

Yom Kippur is considered a happy holiday for its meaning of repentance and forgiveness. After following the ritual, you will find peace and joy to begin a New Year clean of your sins and strong in your faith. We usually feel clean and good and full of hope again.

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