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When the Israelites accepted the Torah at Mt. Sinai
they became "married" to HaShem. Therefore creating a relationship with a
binding contract. This contract we call a covenant says that HaShem will be our G-d,
blessing us, being accessible to us, disciplining and guiding us and we will be His
people, carrying His standards of morality to the world, obeying His commandments and
making no other idols in our lives.
The Torah teaches us how to make right with those
we have wronged and to repent to HaShem. This usually includes a self-examination and
confession making a way to remove all obstacles in furthering our relationship with
HaShem.
Through a yearly examination of our physical,
emotional and spiritual lives we are able to repent and come closer to HaShem. This is
what Yom Kippur is about.
We as believers in Yeshua
should be doing this daily, almost moment by moment. Yom Kippur gives us an opportunity to
"tidy up". As Pesach requires a super clean up in our homes prior to the
festival, Yom Kippur requires this in our deepest parts of our souls, hearts and minds.
On Kol Nidre, erev Yom Kippur, the gates of heaven are opened.
During the entire day of the festival of Yom Kippur we speak with HaShem through prayers
and liturgy, asking for forgiveness of our sins, repenting and making it right before
Neilah.
What is that you ask? Neilah is the closing service
for Yom Kippur. A short time prior to finally eating and celebrating after fasting since
sundown the night before. Neilah means closing of the gates. This service is chanted with
joy knowing that all things work together for good because of our belief in Yeshua
HaMashiach. We focus on acknowledging HaShem's grace and sealing us in His Book of Life.
One blast of the shofar concludes the service and we proclaim L'shanah haba'ah
b'Yerushalayim, next year in Jerusalem, the goal of our people throughout our historical
and spiritual journey!
Let's eat!
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שלום וברכה - Shalom UVracha!
By Rebbetzin Elisheva Farber
For the Messianic Jewish woman - אשת חיל |
