The Denver Jewish news., 1923-09-13
The Hottest Day of
the Synagog

/ teniber 20th and ccntinuin. thrQGkh
qhurs,lay until sunset. the Day OF
! lAtonemcnt, called in Hebrew, 1om
I<ippur. will be observed by all the
Jewish people of the world as the
holiest day of the Synagog. Every
where on this day the Jews will as
semblc in their houses Of worship And
there. fcrgctful of the busting world
outside. in meditation and in PRAYER
by fasting and abstaining from all
worldly thoughts they will seek 10
cleanse their hearts of sin and by true
repentance. become one with God that
they may the better fulfill their duties
and discharge their responsibilities to
ward humanity.
The Day of A1oncment is mentioned
in the Bible in number of places. In
Leviticus XVI the elaborate priestly
ceremonial of atcnement is described.
In Lcviticus ~ :2G-32. Yom Kippur is
reperesented as II sort OF Sabbath OF
Solemn Rest whereon the people shall
nfflict their souls. One of the tradi-
tIonnl obscrvanccs of this day. namely,
fasting. is traced to early times when
the high-priest was the central figure OF
the ritual
In the Pentateuch the Day of Atone
ment was particularly set aside ns
day when the high-priest eNpiated the
sins Of the people. He first sought for
-iv.ncss for his own sins. and those OF
his household and fhen sought TO obtain
pardon for the sins of the people.
There was also n very primitive rite
rraciiced in connection with this priest
ly ccremoney Two goats were sacri-
feed. one for the Lord and one for
AZazel, the demon of the wilderness,
who it was supposed was thus con-
strnined to carry away the sins of the
people.
In this ancient ritual the notion
seems to be that high-priest Is cap
able of cxpiatng the sins of the peo-
pie. The rabbis of the synagoG de-
ra..i,ted this conception and introduc-
ed II far mere rational and prasr:,t!c
usage. AtoncmeIit. they showed. could
no longer he obtained hy the priest by
means of sacrificial blood. incense or
the scapcgoat: Gods pardon could he
obtnined. they taught. only by means
of the. personal repentance of the sill
ncr. 10y his sincere resolution to turn
from the error of his way. unto God.
Just as the higli-pricst of old officiating
H., 1t
don. so now every son of Jacob WAS en-
joined to spend the day in his house of
prayer ccnfessng his sins before God
and with n contrite heart returning to
without mediator and through his own
penitence. The intent of the entire
service is so TO quicken the conscience
of the worshiprer that he will learn to
approach God in true humility. i'm
ploring His pardon and promising to
amend his ways.
\ striking feature of the Day is the
afternoon service wherein forgiveness is
sought for all mankind as fervently rs
for the individual Jew. TheScriptural
reading is the Book of Jonah which
tells of Gods all-fOrgiving mercy to the
entire race of the children of men.
The Day of Atonement stresses the
themc that God does not seek the pun
ishmcnt of the sinner but only that
he repent of his sins and walk under
the burden of life yaliantly.
The Memorial Service is profoundly
touching and meaningful. The dear de-
parted called to their reward nre low
iiigly evoked and honored. Besides. the
worshippcr is reminded that death is
the consummation of life and should.
not he feared. No one who has en-
deavored to help humanity is forgotten.
All who have by their lives and careers
contributed to the establishment of
Justice and righteousness, have brought
nearer the advent of the Kingdom of
God when sickness. war. and famine
shall be abolished forever from among
all mankind. This is the message of
the memorial exercises when those
dear ones who qnicken the living to
finer resolves are fondly recalled.
HOLY BROTHERHOOD
(Nss1ef1-fl