On Yom Kippur, everyone strives for redemption, and we are told to do it together.
Our western world is focused on individualism. We talk about my church, congregation, vocation or my roles in life. While there is nothing wrong with that, it is the lens through which we read Scripture, often without even realizing it. But one of the beautiful traditional and Biblical aspects of Jewish culture is the true sense of family, shared responsibility, and unity.
This is one of the most important reminders of Yom Kippur.
The biblical holiday of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in the biblical calendar. Even today in Israel, everything stops in honor of this day. Major roads are closed, allowing families to walk and bike in the middle of otherwise busy highways.
On a personal level, some try to repair strained relationships, ask for forgiveness, or forgive others when needed. It’s amazing to watch a city or an entire country just stop to apologize for its transgressions, even if its main motivation is tradition. It is a unique and remarkable spectacle.
Biblically, it’s a little more serious
If a person did any work on that day, he was cut off from Israel forever. It is also the only day of the year that God commands everyone to fast. But most importantly, on that day the high priest entered the most holy place to atone and cover the sins of Israel. It had to be done from generation to generation.
It was also important to the Lord that this day not be taken lightly. Although reconciliation and its legal necessity are often talked about, it is also important to understand who the reconciliation was for. It was an atonement, not for the sins of individuals, but for the sins of the entire nation.
We see this corporate atonement clearly stated several times in Leviticus 16. Verse 16 says that the cleansing was “for the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and for their transgressions, according to all their sins.” Verse 17 says that Aron made atonement “for himself and for his household and for all the congregation of Israel.” Verse 21 says that the priest “will confess upon him (the goat) all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their transgressions in all their sins.” And verse 34 reads: “This shall be your charge forever: once a year you shall make atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins!”
It’s about people, not individuals
It was obvious that if you are part of Israel, you share this guilt and cannot separate. In Jewish culture, it was understood that if someone sins in some way, even though you were not personally involved in it, you are still guilty because you are part of a society and allowed it to happen before your eyes. There was no choice. We are all responsible and we are all complicit.
This theme of church and community is the language of many verses of Scripture and the church, especially regarding sin and the need for atonement. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We are to bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2). Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Of course, we can separate ourselves from unpleasant situations or problems related to family sins, even insist that we are innocent. But in reality, we are moving away from our role in the community of believers.
Yeshua chose the opposite of division
Being the perfect sacrifice, as the Father has said. 53:12: He “beareth the sin of many, and standeth for the transgressors.” He, the only one who was truly faultless and needed no atonement or sacrifice, chose to be in it with us as if He needed it. If we strive to be like Him, how much more should we accept our position among our brethren?
Regardless of who did what, we must bear the burdens of others, stand together, forgive, cover with love, and fully accept God’s atonement and perfect sacrifice. We are all guilty just like everyone else and we all need a sacrifice. Regardless of our upbringing, nationality or social status, the basic question of every person is: “How do you deal with your sins and misdeeds? Who will cover and repair them?” As a nation, we all need it. This is the essence of Yom Kippur.
Fortunately, in Messiah Yeshua, the perfect sacrifice was offered once and for all. Although He fully meets the requirements of atonement for sin, God’s commandments remain in effect on Yom Kippur. Lev. 23:31 says: “This shall be an everlasting law throughout your generations, wherever you may be!” God always intended an annual reminder for us to stop and humble ourselves, right our wrongs, and celebrate His sacrifice and full atonement.
Remember we are all in the same boat.
By Doug Hershey / firm.org.il
Source: https://ieshua.org/jom-kippur-vopros-naroda.htm
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