Yom Kippur in the Temple

The Temple service on Yom Kippur must have been a remarkable event to behold. We read of its many details in the Mussaf section of Yom Kippur, titled, “The Avoda.”

Fifteen animals were designated as sacrificed on this day. The focus was on confession and atonement for the Jewish people.

One of these animals was known as the שעיר לעזאזל, or the scape goat. It was taken outside of Jerusalem and thrown off of a cliff. It symbolically carried the sins of the people. There was a red ribbon attached partially to the scape goat, and partially to a large rock. When the goat was thrown off the cliff, the red ribbon that remained, miraculously turned white. It was a Divine sign that forgiveness was achieved.

The most moving part of the Temple service, took place when the Kohein Hagadol did his three confessions. The first was for himself and his immediate family, followed by all of the Kohanim, and a confession for all of Israel.

When he made these confessions, he uttered the Divine Name in purity and sanctity. This Name was not known to most of the people. The large crowd that stood in prayer, were moved by the holiness of that moment. They all bowed and fell on their faces, to show respect for what was transpiring.

We have a song that is sung on Yom Kippur that poetically describes the radiant face of the Kohein Hagadol on this day. It must have been an incredible sight to behold.

Yom Kippur is clearly one of those days that we should long for our Temple to be rebuilt. We do our best to read of that which our ancestors experienced. How fortunate they were to have been uplifted to incredible spiritual heights.

We have been fortunate to be able to pray at the site of our Temple, and witness the return of nearly eight million Jews from the four corners of the earth. Our destiny will be complete with the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of Mashiach.