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Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Oct 9, 2008 @ 14:15

Hey there,

Today is the Jewish Yom-Kipur, and I know many of my friends have no clue what it is. So I thought I'd post a few short words about it, to explain.

Yom Kipur is one of the most important, if not the most important, Jewish holydays.
On it, according to tradition, God decides which person gets to live another year, and which person snuffs it.
To take the decision, God does a 'balance' of the good deeds, and bad deeds, done by each person.
To ensure the balance is favourable, people can do 2 basic things (there's more, but these are the basics):

Ask forgivness from their friends, around Yom Kipur, for anything bad they may have done to their friends. If the friend forgives you, God doesn't count the bad thing as a bad one.
Fast on Yom Kipur. The fasting symbolises the person suffering for his bad deeds.

The traditional Jewish blessing in Yom Kipur is 'Gmar Hatima Tova', which means, in free transpation: "May God sign you in the Good book".

I think that's about it for the basics...any thoughts / corrections welcome!

And to anyone out there who I may have hurt / offended in any way in the past way: I truely apologise...

Nir

The text you are quoting:

Hey there,

Today is the Jewish Yom-Kipur, and I know many of my friends have no clue what it is. So I thought I'd post a few short words about it, to explain.

Yom Kipur is one of the most important, if not the most important, Jewish holydays.
On it, according to tradition, God decides which person gets to live another year, and which person snuffs it.
To take the decision, God does a 'balance' of the good deeds, and bad deeds, done by each person.
To ensure the balance is favourable, people can do 2 basic things (there's more, but these are the basics):

Ask forgivness from their friends, around Yom Kipur, for anything bad they may have done to their friends. If the friend forgives you, God doesn't count the bad thing as a bad one.
Fast on Yom Kipur. The fasting symbolises the person suffering for his bad deeds.

The traditional Jewish blessing in Yom Kipur is 'Gmar Hatima Tova', which means, in free transpation: "May God sign you in the Good book".

I think that's about it for the basics...any thoughts / corrections welcome!

And to anyone out there who I may have hurt / offended in any way in the past way: I truely apologise...

Nir
Nir OfekOct 9, 2008 @ 14:15

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 1

Oct 9, 2008 @ 16:32

Happy Yom-Kipur to everyone out there!

and Nir, it's ok to leave out the 'O' from G-d's name ;)

'Shanah Tovah'

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Happy Yom-Kipur to everyone out there!

and Nir, it's ok to leave out the 'O' from G-d's name ;)

'Shanah Tovah'
YouMeCo, Oct 9, 2008 @ 16:32

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 2

Oct 9, 2008 @ 16:38

Am I confusing this with Santa's naughty or nice book..:D

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Am I confusing this with Santa's naughty or nice book..:D
britabroad, Oct 9, 2008 @ 16:38

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 3

Oct 9, 2008 @ 17:05

Britabroad:

I guess it's not too different from Santa's "Naughty or Nice" book, except that us Jews take it to the extreme. So with Santa, if you're naughty, you don't get a present this year. With us, if you're naughty, it's all over for you...(-:

Youme,

You can't say 'happy yom kipur', cos yom Kipur is all about suffering to show how sorry you are for the bad stuff you did all year...so if the big G sees you all happy on this day, he's not too thrilled with you...

Nir

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Britabroad:

Youme,

Nir
Nir Ofek, Oct 9, 2008 @ 17:05

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 4

Oct 9, 2008 @ 17:08

I'm sticking with a religion without guilt and plenty of presents. ;)

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I'm sticking with a religion without guilt and plenty of presents. ;)
britabroad, Oct 9, 2008 @ 17:08

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 5

Oct 9, 2008 @ 18:23

Then being Catholic (Roman / Italian .. you know the one with the Pope) is not for you.

Am not religious but grew up in a religious country, and I can tell you that with the Catholic Church (at least the Roman one) you get the presents (plenty of them) but you get an endless amount of guilt. Feeling guilty is ingrained in the society. You are a very bad person if you don't weekly feel guilty for all you did :)

Vale

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Then being Catholic (Roman / Italian .. you know the one with the Pope) is not for you.

Vale
Hoiling, Oct 9, 2008 @ 18:23

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 6

Oct 9, 2008 @ 18:38

So another to cross off my list.. Oops should I be using the word cross with all it's religious significance ..

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So another to cross off my list.. Oops should I be using the word cross with all it's religious significance ..
britabroad, Oct 9, 2008 @ 18:38

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 7

Oct 9, 2008 @ 19:36

'Gmar Hatima Tova' to everyone, and Nir, although I dont know you personally, but I got a feeling that you will pass ;) ...you are extremely nice to everyone and you did alot of work and made a big difference for all expats through this site.

Best Regards

Ayman

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Best Regards

Ayman
Tony_datone, Oct 9, 2008 @ 19:36

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 8

Oct 9, 2008 @ 20:11

Nir,

i will agree with ayman on this one...for all the good you do for this community, i'm sure you'll pass.

'Gmar Hatima Tova'

rosanna

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Nir,

i will agree with ayman on this one...for all the good you do for this community, i'm sure you'll pass.

'Gmar Hatima Tova'

rosanna
divagirl, Oct 9, 2008 @ 20:11

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Re: Jewish Yom-Kipur: what it is

Post 9

Aug 20, 2013 @ 12:57

Guilt was a part of the Jewish tradition originally. Only late believes got it to believe that you can do whatever you want during the entire year and then feel guilty for one day and believe the god will forgive you.

Yom Kippur is all about reviewing your actions during the entire year without any guilt or self accusation and see where you failed as a person and how you can become a better person for the next year. It is a self development process. The idea of a higher judge that judges you at that day came for people that cannot understand the process above :)

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Gal Y, Aug 20, 2013 @ 12:57

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