The Yom Kippur Avoda

Yom Kippur- Other Afflictions

Yom Kippur- The Laws of the Fast

Laws of Yom Kippur

Chapter 6 – Yom Kippur

2. Selihot and Prayers

1. Days of Judgment

Judgment, Reward, and Punishment

Chapter 1

5. Tzom Gedalia

Chapter 6: The Four Fasts Commemorating the Destruction of the Temple

On the third of Tishrei, Gedalia b. Aĥikam was killed. This extinguished the last ember of Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael and realized the full measure of exile. This is why the prophets instituted a fast day.

The Secret of Yom Kippur

Why does Yom Kippur atone for Israel's sins? The secret is rooted in the "covenant of love" between G-d and His people Israel...

Yom Kippur - A Day of Liberty

Afflicting the body and soul on Yom Kippur releases one from the shackles of the body and the material, and allows one to connect to the root of his soul.

Rosh Hashana - Expressing the Acceptance of G-d's Kingdom

The central theme of Rosh Hashana should be part of our appearance and actions.

Understanding Selichot

All about the custom of reciting Selichot for the Salvation of the Clal

Individual Atonement is Rooted in Communal Atonement

Atonement on Yom Kippur emanates from the brit (covenant) of love which God made with our forefathers. Fasting on Yom Kippur releases the soul from its material bondage and desires, revealing its true, good aspirations.

Judgment on the High Holidays

In the opinion of many Jewish law authorities, the principal judgment on the High Holidays concerns the World to Come * Life in the World to Come is divided into two stages: the World of Souls, and the Resurrection of the Dead * "The reward of a mitzvah, is a mitzvah" – one who is judged for life on Rosh Hashanah will have events occur during the year that help him continue ascending spiritually * In general, the righteous are rewarded and the wicked are punished, but the factors of judgment are profound and complex * Why do the righteous sometimes suffer, and the wicked live the good life in this world * Reward and punishment is according to the intensity and effort of the test * The effect of the judgment of ‘Clal Yisrael’ on the individual* What is Man judged for during the High Holidays?

Day of Judgement and Rejoicing

The Laws of Blowing the Shofar

The Jerusalem Talmud relates that the enemies once heard Jews blowing the shofar during morning prayers. They thought it was a war cry and attacked the worshipers. Therefore, the sages instituted that the shofar be blown during the Mussaf prayers.

The Story of the “Unetaneh Tokef” Prayer

The holiday approached and Rosh Hashanah arrived. Rabbi Amnon of Mainz asked his relatives to bring him to the synagogue with all of his dismembered organs and to place him by the prayer leader. We can well image the atmosphere in the synagogue.

Starting the New Year on the Right Foot

On Rosh Hashanah, every action has significance pertaining to the year to come. This is the first day of the year, and it is on this day that God apportions life to all creatures; therefore, action and thought on this day influence the entire year.

Concerning Yom Kippur

One who completes the Days of Awe as he should has certainly merited coming closer to the Almighty. And even if he was judged unfavorably above, this too is for the best, for it serves to rectify him and prepare him for life in the World to Come.