Yom Kippur - Customs
Yom Kippur is the holiest day to the Jewish people. Its a time to forgive
and forget, paying debts asking for forgiveness from friends and from the
Lord. It is written that sins between a man and his G-d are forgiven by
prying and fasting, while sins among people should be repaired my the people.
Yom Kippur period is total fasting (no food no water no smoking or watching
t.v...) On that day sits the Lord mighty and judges every person, and each
and every one has the right to ask for forgiveness from G-d. This day is
dedicated to praying and meeting people, it lasts 26 hours. Here are some
of the customs we have.
Cooking : The day before Yom Kippur was always
special, always in high tempo. Wake up early in the morning 04.30 to start
with the food prior to the fasting, Kuskus with chickpeas, pomegranate,
and special round bread fennel taste (Besbas) with raisins inside and an
egg in the middle , the bread called Bolo.
Visit to the Cemetery: as in every holy day, Yom
Kippur has a special meaning of forgiveness and remembering the dead, this
day the cemeteries are filled with people who came to light a candle at
their love ones.
Sacrifice (kapara): This day my mother goes to
a farm and buys live chicken (male cocks), before, it was one for every
member of the family (11) now its one for each family. With 11-12 live
chickens in the trunk, we drove to the slaughter, he would take the chicken
and turn it over my head before it was slaughtered, and say the word "
That is my Sacrifice, that is my suit, this chicken is my Sacrifice".
These chicken we are not allowed to eat, instead we give them away to poor
and needing families.
Spanking & paybacks: At about 2 o'clock p.m
, The men comes to the synagogue to pray the noon prayer, we use to drive
there, My family lives in Kfar-Saba and the Yosef-Shalom synagogue is in
Ra'annana (about 10 km). After prior we gather in a room and the Bidder
(He who "sells" the "mitsvahs") would spank our bare
backs with a leather belt. The ritual goes as follows: We take of our shoes
and lean on a ladder, put our right hand on the left one (the right hand
are the good deeds- the left one are the bad) , symbolically uses a rope
to tie our hands, and take of the shirt. The bidder (His name is Abraham
"Braham El Ke'raa") orders: say "I have sinned", than
he spanks our backs 3 sets of 13 lashes while repeating the words: "...And
he merciful will forgive your sins, he would not destroy , and will not
be angry with us...". It is customary to give him a some of money.
Than we go to the collectors, to pay our debts for the year we promised
to pay. In Ra'ananna its Shalom Hassan and his family who takes care of
the synagogue.
Clothing: When you're about to confront G-d you
should be humble, therefore it is customary not to ware leather (symbolizes
wealth) instead try ware white (purity) and be humble.
Blessing of the priests: The Yom Kippur blessing
is special. I remember when we were young it was about 3 o'clock p.m when
all of the children and grandchildren would run to the synagogue to be
blessed by my father, all of us under his "Tallit".
End of fasting day the 25th hour is the closing
"Ne illa" when gates of heaven closes my mother sisters used
to run home (Yom Kippur we pray in a synagogue near our home- we are not
allowed to drive) and prepare the food. Glasses with Arrak (Anisette) with
ice and water, and Sefra - a honey cake. When the Rabbi blows the "Shofar"
a horn of a sheep, the fasting day is over. We great every one shake hands.
When we come home we great the family with "Akbal dair". Till
next year.