Yom Kippur
Leviticus 16:1-34, Leviticus 18:1-30, Isaiah 57:14 – 58:14, Book of Jonah 1:1 – 4:11, Micah 7:18-20
The texts of Yom Kippur speak of repentance and divine mercy. Chapter 16 of Leviticus describes the ritual of the scapegoat, a symbol of atonement, chapter 18 addresses morality and holiness, while the text from Isaiah calls for repentance and social justice. The Book of Jonah illustrates that forgiveness is accessible to all, and Micah emphasizes God’s kindness towards those who repent.
Leviticus 16:30
כִּי-בַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם, לְטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם: מִכֹּל, חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם, לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, תִּטְהָרוּ.
For on this day, atonement shall be made for you, to purify you; you shall be purified from all your sins before the Lord.
Disciple of Hillel(1), Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai(2), one of the leading sages after the destruction of the Second Temple, founded the Sanhedrin(3) of Yavneh. This assembly of 71 sages played a crucial role in preserving the Jewish tradition and developing religious practices. Rabbi Akiba(4) studied at Yavneh under the influence of sages such as Rabbi Eliezer ben Hourcanos(5) and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hanania(6), who were disciples of Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai.
Rabbi Akiba is credited with formalizing the Yom Kippur ritual, organizing the prayers, collective confessions, and the ritual of the Avoda(8). Thanks to his work and that of other sages, Judaism adapted to the new realities of life, emphasizing the study of the Torah and prayer.
Archaeological excavations in Yavneh, led by teams from the Israel Antiquities Authority(9) since the 2000s, have uncovered remnants from the Second Temple period. Among the discoveries are elements related to the Sanhedrin, such as inscriptions in Hebrew, ritual objects, and residential structures.
(1) Hillel HaZaken is a sage from the 1st century BCE. He founded one of the two main schools of Torah interpretation, Beit Hillel. He often opposed Shammai on issues of Halakha, and most legal decisions follow his opinions. As a nasi (president of the Sanhedrin), he is distinguished by his intelligence, humility, and open-mindedness.
(2) Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai is known for his key role in preserving Judaism and founded the Sanhedrin of Yavneh, where he established foundations for Halakha and the study of the Torah. He is known for his maxim: “Let your house be a gathering place for the sages” (Pirkei Avot 1:4).
(3) Tana’im (singular Tana) refers to the Jewish sages of the Second Temple period and the Mishnah (approximately 10-220 CE) who contributed to the transmission and teaching of the oral Torah.
(4) The Sanhedrin is an assembly composed of 71 members, including a president (nasi), a vice-president (av beit din), and 69 sages, responsible for judging and interpreting Jewish law. Initially, it met in the Temple in Jerusalem, before being transferred to Yavneh after the destruction of the Temple. This Sanhedrin is essential to the continuity of Jewish life and the interpretation of Jewish laws.
(5) Rabbi Akiba is a great sage and martyr of the 1st and 2nd centuries. Starting as a shepherd, he became an eminent Tana. Founder of an influential school, he is known for his interpretations of the Torah, which are often more lenient than those of Shammai, with most halakhic decisions following his views.
(6) Rabbi Eliezer ben Hourcanos is a Tana from the 1st century, known for his rigorous positions on Jewish law. He is a strict defender of oral tradition, often disagreeing with his contemporaries on halakhic matters.
(7) Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hanania is a Tana from the 1st century, known for his intellectual debates with Rabbi Eliezer ben Hourcanos, often adopting a more flexible and pragmatic approach in the interpretation of Jewish law.
(8) The Avoda refers to the ritual performed by the Cohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. Since the destruction of the Temple, this ritual allows the worshiper to identify with the Cohen Gadol, thereby emphasizing the importance of atonement and purification.
(9) AAI (Israel Antiquities Authority): A government agency established in 1960, responsible for the protection, study, and preservation of the country’s archaeological and cultural heritage.