Introduction to Yom Kippur

Today marks the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, the tenth day of the seventh biblical month (Leviticus 23:27). This is one of the Feasts of YHWH, a time of holy convocation where we gather as believers, afflict ourselves through fasting—no eating or drinking—and present ourselves before YHWH without doing any work.

To keep these feasts correctly, get our Biblical Feast Calendar for 2026 from the Etsy store. It shows the true biblical months, starting not in January but according to YHWH's calendar, helping you observe dates like Yom Kippur on September 22 next year.

Biblical Command in Leviticus 23

YHWH spoke to Moses saying:

"Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to YHWH your Elohim. And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before YHWH your Elohim" (Leviticus 23:27-28, ESV adapted).

Afflicting ourselves means fasting, as confirmed in the New Testament. In Acts 27:9, Luke records Paul referencing the fast—Yom Kippur—warning against sailing after it due to dangerous weather in the Mediterranean (typically September/October). Early believers kept these feasts, so if you're a follower of Yahushua, it's time to learn and obey the Feasts of YHWH.

No work means no job, no buying/selling, no regular labor—not even cooking (though we're fasting). Today falls before the weekly Sabbath, making two back-to-back rest days. Whoever does not afflict themselves "shall be cut off from his people" (Leviticus 23:30)—this is serious.

No Temple Today: Jews Are Not Israelites

We can't offer food offerings without the temple, which hasn't been rebuilt. Why? The people in the land today, the Jews, are not Israelites. True Israelites, when they return to the Promised Land in the second exodus, will build it. Get our free PDF and books to understand who the true Israelites are biblically.

The Ritual in Leviticus 16: Entering the Most Holy Place

After Aaron's sons died offering strange fire (Leviticus 10), YHWH instructed:

"Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die" (Leviticus 16:2).

The tabernacle had the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (behind the veil), where YHWH's presence dwelt over the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant—housing the tablets, law, and manna, topped with cherubim.

Only once a year, on Yom Kippur, could the high priest enter:

  • Aaron offered a bull for his own sin offering (Leviticus 16:6).
  • Dressed in holy linen garments, he took two goats: one by lot for YHWH (sin offering, slain), the other for Azazel (scapegoat, sent alive into the wilderness bearing Israel's sins) (Leviticus 16:7-10, 20-22).

Blood cleansed the Most Holy Place, Tent of Meeting, and people from uncleanness and transgressions (Leviticus 16:16, 30). YHWH does not dwell with sin—blood was required to cover it yearly.

Deeper Meaning: Blood, Repentance, and the Book of Hebrews

This ritual points to repentance. Sins were confessed over the scapegoat, transferred away—requiring acknowledgment and remorse first.

Today, without temple sacrifices, we fast and repent. But bulls and goats only covered sin yearly; they couldn't remove it (Hebrews 9:12; 10:4). The Book of Hebrews reveals Yom Kippur's ultimate fulfillment in Yahushua's eternal atonement by His own blood.

This channel calls scattered Israel to repentance: You can't just approach YHWH or keep Torah without dealing with sin through blood. Repent now—afflict yourself on Yom Kippur, obey the feasts, and prepare for the temple's return.

Resources

  • Biblical Feast Calendar: Etsy store.
  • Lessons on keeping feasts available.
  • Books: The Scattered Israelites series.