"Yom Hakipurim"
We have arrived at Yom Kippur "The Day of Atonement"
But what does "Yom Kippur" mean?
The word "Yom" in Hebrew is day, and "Kippur" is derived from the word Kapara "expiation", kapara comes from "Kaporet or Kofer" which means "to cover" We can then understand that it would be an atonement for our sins or "a covering for our sins"
Everyone anticipates this fearful day by preparing themselves, for on this day our fate will be decided and our verdict sealed, but what the uninitiated person fails to grasp is the true dimension of Yom Kippur: "An extraordinary spiritual force that has been granted to this day," which impresses even the heart most distant from Judaism, even this one feels the need to manifest the Jewish identity no matter how far away it may be, gathering with the entire community gathered in the synagogue.
Every son of Israel descended from Yaacov called Israel, possesses a spark of Yaacov's soul "Nefesh Yaacov" is the spark of the truth of the Torah that Yaacov personified.
Although the Jew, due to his many faults, manages to extinguish this Sacred spark within himself due to his distancing himself from Judaism, it can never be completely extinguished.
On Yom Kippur, a breath of fresh air reaches us from the highest spiritual realms, illuminating our spirit and helping us reject the lures of a life "free" from Torah and Divine Precepts. This breath rekindles our "perpetual flame."
Some people are urged to redouble their fervor, to maintain their elevation, others are merely given a fleeting push, something to calm a troubled conscience.
It is very important how much a person has prepared himself in advance during the days of Teshuvah to welcome this Divine breath.
We read in Mishnah Yoma 8: "Rabbi Akiba says: You are blessed, O Israel, see before Whom you purify yourselves and Who purifies you."
For the Creator is the source of perfection. However, the forgiveness of Israel's sins on the Day of Yippur can only be achieved if it is preceded by a "Teshuvah Shlema."
(complete repentance) and a determination not to reoffend.
(Sources of information Kitzur Shulchan Aruch R. Yosef Caro)
The Breslev Garden wishes you:
Gmar Jatima tova!
(It is customary to wish one's neighbor before and during Yom Kippur with this phrase, and its literal translation is "may we have a good final sealing" and its meaning is "the wish that we be inscribed in the book of life.")