Traditions During Judaism's Day of Atonement

Questions and Answers About Yom Kippur Readings and Observances

Sep 23, 2009

The Torah and Haftorah passages, the Yizkor prayers and the avoidance of leather footwear on Yom Kippur all have relevance on this Shabbat of Shabbats

Yom Kippur has been described as Judaism’s holiest day. Many Jews spend the previous evening (Kol Nidre) and the entire day in synagogue praying or contemplating their personal meaning for the Jewish Day of Atonement.

Many of the traditions that Jews follow during the High Holy Days are steeped in deep significance and in fact, offer important insight to the relevance of this holy day.

Why Don’t Jews Wear Leather Footwear On Yom Kippur?

Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, of the Conservative Congregation Beth Israel in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, explains that going without leather footwear is a way of reminding the self of the importance of this day.

“We avoid wearing comfortable shoes, in particular leather. Technically the mitzvah would be to not wear shoes, but for safety reasons we can’t do this,” explains Rabbi Infeld.

Jews often wear sneakers or other shoes that are not made of leather on this day.

The Lubavitch website, Chabad.org, adds the point of view that it is also a way of showing one's “affliction” on this Day of Atonement. It draws a parallel between the observance during Yom Kippur and the spring holy day Tisha b’Av, when Jews mourn the destruction of the ancient Temple.

Why Do Jews Read The Book Of Jonah On Yom Kippur?

The Book of Jonah tells the tale of Jonah of Amittai, who is best recounted for his lackadaisical attitude about following God’s direction to go and warn the people of Nineveh. He is thrown overboard by the crew of the ship on which he has boarded and after being swallowed by a large fish and spewed out again, eventually decides to take up God’s mission. He is noted for his “chutzpah” at talking back at God when God chooses to spare the people of Nineveh after they have repented. In the final reading Jonah has sought shade of a large plant that is seen as having symbolic meaning in the Jewish holiday that follows Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Infeld explains its relevance this way: “It is the last moments of Yom Kippur when we are trying to escape from our past and really needing the word of God. It is story about our fragility in the world.

“The wreath (that grows over Jonah’s head) is the symbol of (Sukkot and) the fact that the first thing we do is eat and then build the sukkah. The sukkah symbolizes our fragility. The last reading is about the sukkah covering over Jonah’s head."

Rabbi Infeld adds that the Torah readings during this Holy Day focus on the important qualities of being a good person and a good Jew who follows the precepts that God has established.

“The traditional Torah readings for Yom Kippur,” explains Rabbi Infeld, “are about transgression and the reminder of being a holy person.”

He added, “There is nothing more human than how we eat and drink and our sexual relations. The Torah reading in the afternoon service is about transgression and is a way of reminding us of being holy inside and outside of ourselves.”

Why Do Jews Say Yizkor On Yom Kippur?

Yizkor is that portion of the Yom Kippur services in which Jews ask God to remember the loved ones who have gone before them. Jews traditionally say prayers of remembrance for their immediate family during Yizkor. Some congregations add the Kaddish prayer at the end of Yizkor, although this was not originally part of the Yizkor service. Yizkor is one of the most moving portions of the Yom Kippur services.

As to why Jews acknowledge loved ones at this time, Rabbi Infeld explains, “It has a lot to do with memory; it is a natural connection. Yom Kippur is one of the holiest days of the year and we remind ourselves we stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us."

Orthodox Jews traditionally acknowledge Yizkor on Passover (also referred to as Pesach), Shavuot (The Festival of Weeks) and Sukkot (which immediately follows Yom Kippur).

Acknowledgment of “the shoulders of giants who came before us” is also reflected in Jews’ acts of Tzedakah, Jewish charity, which is a mitzvah at this time of the year.

The copyright of the article Traditions During Judaism's Day of Atonement in Jewish Practices is owned by Jan Lee. Permission to republish Traditions During Judaism's Day of Atonement in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.