Historical Background

The Lord said to Moses, "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present an offering made to the Lord by fire. Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God. Anyone who does not deny himself on that day must be cut off from his people. I will destroy from among his people anyone who does any work on that day. You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. It is a Sabbath of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your Sabbath (Leviticus 23:26-32).

Traditional Jewish Observance

Yom Kippur is considered the logical extension of what was started at Rosh Hashanah. In fact, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur take on their own holy significance. They're called the Yomim Nora'im, "The Days of Awe". Traditional Jews, as well as many non-traditional Jews, spend these days looking inward, seeing how their inner life might be more pleasing to God. Personal relationships are evaluated; forgiveness and restitution are offered where needed. Reconciliation is attempted.

As the evening of the 10th of Tishri approaches, special preparations are made. Leviticus 23 states that on Yom Kippur, Israel is to "humble your soul." This is taken (based on the Hebrew word "oni") to mean "fast". In the context of Isaiah 58:5, this word is used specifically for going without food.

New Testament Observance

This holy day, Yom Kippur, contains important truth for the believer in Yeshua. In fact, if any holy day deserves special recognition by believers, Yom Kippur should be at the top of the list! Not surprisingly, there are a number of references to the importance of this holy day in the New Testament. In the well-known passage in Romans, Rabbi Saul of Tarsus explains the significance of our atonement in the context of Yom Kippur.

All have sinned and come short of earning God's praise. By God's grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him, through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua. God put Yeshua forward as the kapparah for sin through his faithfulness in respect to his bloody sacrificial death. This vindicated God's righteousness; because, in his forbearance, he had passed over [with neither punishment nor remission,] the sins people had committed in the past; and it vindicates his righteousness in the present age by showing that he is righteous himself and is also the one who makes people righteous on the ground of Yeshua's faithfulness (Romans 3:23-26).

The Prophetic Fulfillment

We have seen that the theme of Yom Kippur can be clearly understood in its name, the Day of Atonement. The atonement was typologically foretold in the sacrifices and service of the holy day. Yom Kippur in the New Testament takes on special significance as we see Yeshua presented as Messiah and paying the price on the cross. Yet Yom Kippur, as the other holy days, is not to be limited to a historical lesson. It has a prophetic truth to teach all believers in Yeshua.

A Practical Guide for Believers in Messiah

For believers in Yeshua, both Jewish and non-Jewish, the observance of Yom Kippur can hold special significance. The repentance started at Rosh HaShanah comes to a culmination with atonement ten days later. As with the traditional Jewish community, those ten days ("Yomim Nora'im") can take on spiritual meaning as we meditate on the meaning of the high holy days. Although there are not many customs directly relating to the ten days, the message could be applied to a believer's daily meditation at that time. Traditional readings from the book of Jonah, Hosea 14 and other pertinent passages can enhance one's appreciation of the season.