²⁹ “It is to be a statute to you forever, that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you are to afflict your souls, and do no kind of work—both the native-born and the outsider dwelling among you. ³⁰ For on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. From all your sins you will be clean before Adonai. ³¹ It is a Shabbat of solemn rest to you, and you are to afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.

- Leviticus 16:29-31

Over the centuries, through exile, captivity, assimilation attempts, and hundreds of years of persecution, Yom Kippur has become a surprising day of freedom for the Jewish people. Throughout history, the Jewish people have made promises, vows, conversion statements, and denounced their heritage for the sake of survival. Above all, survival matters most to the Children of Israel. So, prayers were developed for the Day of Atonement in order to ask Adonai for forgiveness for the falsehoods that they had to live under to stay alive, as well as a list of all the myriad of sins they might have committed. These prayers are called the Kol Nidre and the Al Chet. 

The Kol Nidre is a prayer seeking release from the vows and promises that someone might have made in hopes of surviving. It seeks to absolve us of any and everything that would hold us back from Adonai's will. Meanwhile, the Al Chet prayer lists, in surprising detail, the multitude of sinful acts, thoughts, and behaviors that would keep us from having communion with Adonai. It's meant to be as comprehensive as possible. And in so doing, it can bring to light things that we purposefully have repressed or chosen to forget. Traditionally, the manner of affliction mandated by Torah takes the form of fasting. And not just a casual fast - a complete fast of food, water, and fellowship. But fasting is not commanded, just a type of affliction that makes the day more meaningful. Could it be that trudging through all of the sins of the last year, known and unknown, purposeful and accidental, and asking for forgiveness is enough of an affliction? 

To take the time to outline, review, and openly confess your trespasses before Adonai takes more than just speaking. It takes effort. It takes courage. It takes honesty. 

Shockingly, the practice of confession can actually be an incredibly freeing and relieving experience. By letting go of everything that's weighing your heart and soul, you can walk into the rest of the year with a sense of freedom that is only possible through Adonai's mercy. Scripture tells us that He is faithful to forgive our sins. 

 ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

-  1 John 1:8-9

Confessing aloud is a powerful way to take the sins that permeate your heart and place them on the altar before Adonai. This Yom Kippur, I hope that you'll consider your act of obedience and confession as a way to afflict your soul. And then live joyously in the freedom of your forgiveness!  Try speaking out loud the things you are the most ashamed of, most embarrassed of, or most regretful of during your prayer time and then revel in the redemptive love of our Messiah. 

Another area that we tend to forget is the empty vows, shame-fueled prohibitions, and brash promises that we made throughout the year. Like, "I'm never going to lose weight." or "I'll always forget my glasses." or "I'll start going to the gym on Monday for real this time." Each one of those types of professions can trap and bind us without us even realizing it. So take the time to renounce all the little, empty vows that might be holding you back from the fullness of God's will for you.

Yom Kippur may be a day of affliction and atonement, but its also a day for healing. Let Yeshua's love wash over you as you lay yourself bare before Him and let go of all the yuck from the last year. It is the greatest act of self-care you can do for yourself.

We've put together a little prayer card for you so that you too can participate in Adonai's Day of Atonement. We've compiled the scriptures to read with both the Kol Nidre and Al Chet Prayers. So download your prayer card today via our TLV Bible App and get ready for Yom Kippur 2024 on October 11-12!