Yom Kippur: The Day Of Atonement
(Saturday ~ September 25 ~ 5765/2004)
The Biblical Meanings Of 'Kippur'
The word atonement - 'kippur' - implies amends for wrongdoing, however, the Torah also uses it in several other ways.
1. Protective Covering
The first use of this word in the Bible is found in the story of Noah and relates to a 'protective covering'.
"Yahveh said to Noah: Make an ark out of gopher wood... and you shall coat it from within and from without with 'kofer' - pitch (protective coating)." Gen 6:14
The ark was coated with a protective covering in order for it to withstand the mighty waters of the flood.
2. A Protection Gift
Jacob sent a gift to appease his brother Esau. His explanation for sending this gift:
"Maybe I can appease (kaparah) him with this gift that I am sending." Gen 32:21
Jacob did not ask Esau for forgiveness, rather he hoped that his gift will deter Esau from attacking him. The gift was intended to protect him from Esau's anger.
3. A Covering Of The Ground
In Exodus, the word "kefor" was used to describe the way in which the Manna covered the ground.
"And behold it was on the face of the wilderness thin and flaky, like 'frost' (kefor) on the land." Ex 16:14
The Biblical meaning of kefor is not quite clear, but it's related to a type of covering, such as frost which covered the ground.
4. Protection Money
In Exodus 21:30 the word "kofer" is used to describe a payment which can be made in lieu of punishment. This can be understood as protection from punishment. Similarly, in Numbers 35:31 we find the prohibition of accepting "kofer nefesh" - payment in lieu of capital punishment.
Kippur (Atonement) And The Tabernacle
The Kaporet - Covering
The Holy Ark was an open, gold plated wooden box which contained the tablets. (Ex 25:10-11,21) Moses was commanded to make a kaporet - covering - a golden lid with two cherubim on it, to cover the ark and protect the tablets. (Ex 25:17-22) Just as the cherubim protected the path to the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:24) so too, the Cherubim of the kaporet protected the Tablets.
Kippurim And The Seven Day Ceremony
The first ceremonial use of the word kippurim is found in the commandment to perform a seven day dedication ceremony for the Tabernacle. During those seven days a special sin offering called kippurim was offered and the blood was sprinkled on the altar. (Ex 29:1,12) In a similar fashion, the priests were also required kippurim. During this seven day ceremony, the blood was sprinkled on the priests' earlobes, thumbs and toes. This procedure was also referred to as kaparah ~ (atonement).
"This meat shall be eaten only by the priests who had kaparah from them." Ex 29:33
The primary purpose of this ceremony was to perform kaparah on the altar and on the priests.
Why did the altar need a kaparah, atonement? Surely it did nothing wrong!
Protection From The Shechinah
The primary purpose of the Tabernacle was to create a place for Yahveh's Divine Presence, the Shechinah, to dwell.
"And they shall make for Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." Ex 25:8
The presence of the Shechinah created an environment similar to Mount Sinai, resulting in immediate punishment for any transgression. Because the priests worked in the Tabernacle, and the Altar was designated to become the site where the Shechinah will descend and consume the offerings (Lev 9:24) protection was necessary. Recall what happened on the very next day when Nadab and Abihu made one 'small' mistake and received immediate punishment - death!
The entire kippurim ceremony taught Israel that encountering the Shechinah required not only preparation but also protection.
The word kippurim is mentioned again when the Alter of Incense is introduced. (Ex 30:1-10) Here we find the first reference in Torah to Yom Kippur itself.
"Aaron must 'kaparah' (sprinkle blood) on its corners once a year from the blood of the kippurim. Once a year he must do kaparah (atonement) on it." Ex 30:10
This special procedure was performed once a year, on the tenth day of the seventh month, to protect the people. (Lev 16:1-34)
Atonement Or Protection
In the book of Exodus we find an additional use of the Kippur, when Moses ascended Mount Sinai to ask Yahveh to forgive Israel for their sin of the golden calf.
"And Moses told the people, you have committed a terrible sin, and now I will go up to Yahveh, possibly I can achieve kaparah, atonement, for your sins." Ex 32:30
Moses was asking Yahveh not only to forgive but also protect Israel from the punishment which they deserved. This protection led to forgiveness.
The sprinkling of the blood (the technical 'kapara') by the priest protected the owner of the sacrifice from his due punishment for his transgression, enabling Yahveh to forgive him for that sin.
Why On The Tenth Day?
On the tenth of Tishrei (the 7th month) Israel received the second tablets and were thus forgiven for the sin of the golden calf. Yahveh agreed to allow His Shechinah to remain with Israel even though they were not worthy. (Ex 34:9)
Yom Kippur
True atonement can be accomplished only by true repentance, enabling the special relationship between Yahveh and His people to continue. By understanding the protective nature of Yom Kippur we can better appreciate Yahveh/Yashua's goodness toward us even when we do not deserve it.
His Mercy and Grace are still available. Let us "Seek Yahveh while He may be found, and call on Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
