Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the biblical year—a time for repentance, reflection, and restoration. It calls God’s people to examine their hearts, seek forgiveness, and reconcile with Him and others. Traditionally observed with fasting,prayer, and deep introspection, Yom Kippur emphasizes God’s holiness, mercy, and the hope of renewed covenant relationship.
Yom Kippur is often described as the holiest day of the year. Scripture speaks of it as a day to afflict your soul—but what does that really mean? In Jewish tradition, this is understood as a complete fast for around 25 hours, with no food or water. At first, that can sound extreme, even unnecessary. But once again, it’s about making the spiritual something physical and tangible.
I honestly can’t think of anything that captures the idea of afflicting the soul quite like abstaining from food and drink for a full day. We’ve done it a few times now, and I’ve seen firsthand how strongly the flesh resists that kind of deprivation. It’s humbling, and it quickly reveals how dependent we are—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Understanding Yom Kippur as a picture of the Day of Judgment adds even more weight. It makes me pause and reflect on how I will one day stand before my Creator. Will I come boldly, knowing my sins are covered? Or will I come with a deep sense of repentance, aware of the cost at which that covering was bought? Knowing what my Saviour endured for that forgiveness leads me to hope it will be the latter.
For me, Yom Kippur is a day for remembering, reflecting, and truly afflicting my soul. And fasting from both food and water feels like the most fitting way to honour the weight and meaning of that day.
Yom Kippur is a solemn day of repentance and mercy, inviting deep reflection, forgiveness, and restored relationship with God.
Books
🌱 A Christian Guide to the Biblical Feasts
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David Wilber
In A Christian Guide to the Biblical Feasts, David Wilber offers an inviting and well-organized introduction to the biblical holidays, explaining their meaning, history, and ongoing relevance. With clarity and sincerity, he shows how each feast reflects God’s character and teaches timeless spiritual lessons.
Practical, approachable, and thoughtfully written, this book helps readers understand and appreciate the rhythm and beauty of the biblical calendar.
“Yom Kippur is the day we confront who we are, and who we are meant to be.”— Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
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“On Yom Kippur, God gives us the gift of beginning again.”
— Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
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