How to atone? (3 models)

When you hear the words Yom haKippur; what comes to mind? What practices? Emotions? Memories? Rituals?

We spent some time this morning speaking about the process of teshuvah, and read some incredibly important works by a Jewish philosopher named Moses Maimonides, living in Spain in the 12th century.

But what I'd like to do now is go all the way back to our most ancient sources; to a book called Leviticus, a work of collected teachings and instructions which were organized and canonized by our ancestors living in ancient Israel, during the days in which a structure stood in our capital Jerusalem - a structure which was believed to be the royal earthly Palace of none other than the sovereign of all of the cosmos!

The central and arguably most important passage in this work, chapter 16, describes the pivotal moment of the year for the custodians - also known as priests - of the palace. It is an incredible chapter which details the once-a-year procedure for a single priest to enter the room which was thought to be the very throne room of the Almighty, the purpose being to cleanse the room of any and all traces of a substance called tumah, usually translated as impurity.

This tumah would be brought in a few different ways; Some of these ways were just natural and unavoidable aspects of life (certain diseases, bearing children, and being in close proximity to the dead), while it can also come to exist as a result of transgressing against the law given to Israel by the Almighty. Since tumah can be brought to existence by praiseworthy human practices as well as moral shortcomings, this tumah is in-and-of-itself entirely neutral, neither evil or good.

But as it turns out, the Almighty happens to be kind of allergic to it; He can tolerate it to some extent, but if enough collects, he cannot bear to be nearby.

And that's what's going on with these priestly custodians; they are concerned with maintaining an atmosphere clean of tumah, so the Almighty can be as comfortable as possible in his home, his palace, on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

While all of chapter 16 is well worth reading, we're going to jump in at the end, to where the focus shifts from the priest to all of Israel collectively. (Hint; that includes us!)

Discussion Questions

• How many different things does this paragraph demand of Israel? What are they?

• Do you find your answer to question 1 surprising? Is there anything missing that you think should have belonged? Anything there that you think doesn't belong?

• This passage starts out by stating that this ritual is to be done on the tenth day of the seventh month. Any thoughts on why this would be? What else do you know about the calendar of Israel that might shed light on this?

• This passage mentions a few things that you have probably never seen before, but once upon a time where of HUGE significance for the entirety of our ancient Israelite civilization. Things like Tent of Meeting, the Altar, the Innermost Shrine. Have you ever learned about any of this before? If not - what do you think they might be referring to?

• What does "a law for all time mean?" Why emphasize it here? Is this any different from all of the other laws, which don't say "a law for all time?

One thing I love about the TaNaKh, referred to by many as the Jewish Bible, is that it is not a book, but a collection of writings with many voices written over a long period of time; voices constantly with different perspectives, different opinions, and different ideas as to how the people of Israel should strive to be in relationship with the Almighty.

So let's look at another passage; this one written not by a priest, but a prophet named Yoel (8th century BCE).

As we read, try to spot any differences between how Yoel says we should try to repair a relationship with the Almighty and what the priests said above.

Discussion Questions

• What are the differences between Yoel's instructions and the priests above? Anything surprising?

• In light of question 1, can you hone in on any possible underlying differences in their understanding of the Almighty?

• Which view do you prefer? (Which speaks to you more? Which might work better for your own personal life?)

• Look at the three highlighted words in the beginning of Yoel's oracle. What are these words? Do they sound like any other Hebrew words you know?

Let's look at one more passage together. This one, like Yoel, is a prophetic declaration. We do not know the prophet's name, but since his oracles are included in the scroll of a prophet named Isaiah, many people call him Deutero-Isaiah, which means "second"-Isaiah. I prefer to refer to him as the Herald, because "herald of Zion" is a term he likes to use.

You'll probably notice that our Herald is trying to get the point across that the Almighty is not too happy about something. What is it? And how does this compare with some of what we saw above?

Personally, I find this to be such an incredible passage. How about you? What do you think, in light of Yoel and Leviticus above?

Can you think of any situations today in which the Herald's critiques are applicable? How about in your own life?

In the rest of the chapter, the Herald tells us what we have to look forward to if we are successful in all of the above, painting a beautiful picture of what the relationship between the Almighty and Israel could look like after a successful atonement process.

Wow, how fortunate we would be were we to really take the Herald's words to heart, dedicating ourselves to becoming what the Almighty wants and knows we could be, and experiencing intimate closeness with him in our lives!

Tonight is the tenth day of the seventh month; I.e., Yom haKippurim! While it's true that fasting is a bit part of the day; It is not what the day is about; It is a day about relationship; a day for us reflect on ourselves and our lives, and to explore what we ought to change so as to bring ourselves closer to relationship with the Almighty.

So here's a question I'd like to invite you to think about throughout Yom haKippurim, in light of our three readings above; What changes can you make so as to come even just a little bit closer to living a lifestyle that the Almighty will look at and think; Wow, now there is a person I want to walk and spend time with!

May you have a deeply meaningful, spiritually uplifting and rejuvenating Yom haKippurim! May YHWH-Almighty shine his face upon you and be gracious to you, and may you merit to experience the blessing of the Almighty's presence in your life!