Erev Yom Kippur: Kol Nidre (this year Friday Night Oct. 3)
Kol Nidre – by Neil Diamond
Yom Kippur: Lev. 16:1-34; Numbers 29:7-11; Isaiah 57:14–58:14; Lev. 18:1-30; Micha 7:18-20; Book Jona
The Meaning of the Book of Life – by Rabbi Richman, Jerusalem:
“Time is the marking of change. What folly it is to let time change us by not using time to change ourselves: G-d has blessed us with this year, this season, this day of Yom Kippur By admitting our past errors, by coming clean, by standing before G-d and changing ourselves for the better we can transcend time. We can transcend life itself by taking on the challenge of Yom Kippur, to be ourselves, our true selves, as never before. Gmar chatima tova – May we inscribe ourselves in the Book of Life!”:
Avinu Malkeinu: Our Father, Our King
Avinu Malkeinu – Our Father Our King (sung by Barbra Streisand)
Hear our prayer: We have sinned before Thee – Have compassion upon us and upon our children – Help us bring an end to pestilence, war, and famine – Cause all hate and oppression to vanish from the earth – Inscribe us for blessing in the Book Of Life – Let the new year be a good year for us.
Question to chabad.org: Since it is forbidden to fast on Shabbat, do we fast on Yom Kippur if it falls on Shabbat?
Answer: Your premise is correct; all other fast days are postponed until Sunday when they fall on Shabbat. 1 However, unlike all other fasts, Yom Kippur is not postponed, and is fully observed even on Shabbat. 2 The Torah dubs Yom Kippur, “Shabbat Shabbaton” — the “Shabbat of Shabbats,” 3 implying that it takes precedence over Shabbat.
According to chassidic teachings, Yom Kippur falling on Shabbat doesn’t “deprive” us of the pleasures — eating, drinking, resting, etc. — which Shabbat normally affords us. Rather the extremely holy nature of Yom Kippur accomplishes the same objectives, albeit in a higher, more spiritual manner.
For Your Day of Atonement Chatima tova! – May you be signed and sealed in the book of life!
Eric Martienssen
