A Meaningful Yom Kippur

When I was in high school I hated that we always had to learn about every holiday.  I didn’t really understand the importance of it.  I was always in a frum environment, was super aware of upcoming holidays and the customs that came along with it.

Fast forward a “few” years and here I am- the only way I’m reminded of holiday customs is from my kids projects. 🙁

I really want Yom Kippur to be different this year.  I wanted to review a little about it before candle lighting time. I figured I’d share some of what I reviewed for those of you who are just like me.  And for those of you who are also working on Erev Yom Kippur.

Inyanei D’Yoma- Yom Kippur

  • Yom Kippur is the day of atonement.  It’s when we ask Hashem to forgive us for all of our sins.
  • Components of Teshuva:
    • Azivas HaChet- stop doing the sin
    • Charata- regret
    • Kabala Al HaAsid- accepting upon yourself not to do it again in the future
    • Viduy- verbal confession
  • For sins done bein adam l’chavero (a man to his friend) one must ask the person for forgiveness.
  • Erev Yom Kippur
    • obligation to eat
    • Kaparos
    • Viduy in Mincha
    • Seuda HaMafsekes
  • Kaparos can be done with a chicken, fish or money between Rosh Hashana and YK.
  • The meal before YK is called the Seuda HaMafsekes.  It seperates the time when we can do the 5 prohibitions and when we must refrain
  • Say Shehechiyanu at candle lighting
  • 5 Prohibitions of Yom Kippur
    • Eating/drinking
    • Washing
    • Wearing leather shoes
    • Anointing – use of perfumes, make-up, lotion
    • Marital Relations
  • We refrain from wearing gold jewelry, as to not remind Hashem of the Chet HaEgel (sin of the Golden Calf)
  • There is a custom to smell spices in order to attempt to make 100 brachos during the day.
  • We only wash our hands up to our knuckles.
  • Tefilos of the day include- Maariv, Shacharis, Musaf, Mincha, and Neila
  • The tefila of Kol Nidre is said the night of YK.  It annuls all the vows we have made, but were unable to fulfill.
  • On Yom Kippur we say “Baruch Shem K’vod…” after Shema out loud, while we usually whisper it

Wishing you all a meaningful fast!

Until next time,
Shaindy

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