The Day of Atonement

Today is the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. People are asked to atone. Atone for what, and ask forgiveness from whom?

Atone for the wrong they have done and ask forgiveness from them whom they have wronged in the previous year. Atonement has nothing to do with YHWH. YHWH does not ask for atonement from people. How could He? He himself always forgives people, all the time, irregardless of their circumstances. And He forgives immediately. He does not wait until October 4th to forgive them. No, He forgives them as soon as people have trespassed against Him, instantly. He does not remember from one moment to the next. He does not have a long memory. In fact, YHWH has the shortest memory in existence. He does not remember from one moment to the next. That is how He is able to forgive and forget the many wrongs people commit against Him constantly.

People commit crimes against YHWH all the time, in thought and deed. YHWH sees that and forgives it immediately, so that people have a chance for redemption. People commit constant trespasses against YHWH, but YHWH does not want to bind them with feelings of guilt. He wants people to see the error of their ways immediately. These trespasses against YHWH do not accumulate over one year and then get forgiven in bulk. Not at all.

What gets forgiven on the Day of Atonement is the trespasses against neighbors, friends, and acquaintances that people have accumulated over the course of the last year. In order for these trespasses to be truly forgiven, people need to approach the ones they have wronged and with sincerity ask for their forgiveness. Only then can the slate be wiped clean. Sitting in temple and feeling “atoned” is not doing the complete trick. It may make some people feel better about themselves, but that alone does not make the tension between the ones they have wronged and themselves go away.

Somewhere in the Bible is written that before approaching God and sacrificing to Him, one should clear the bad feelings with others so that one can approach God with a clear heart.