RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland

THE GOALS
reciting prayers by the banks of a river or lake; it symbolises throwing
one’s sins into the waters.
One of the prayers is taken from Micah 7: 10–20
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Source
He will again have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and
Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7: 19
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year. In
addition to the laws of observing Shabbat, on Yom Kippur people are
not allowed to wear leather shoes. Other prohibitions during this day
are eating, drinking, bathing, anointing one’s body, and sexual relations.
This fast day lasts for 25–26 hours. Children, pregnant women, sick
people and the elderly are not required to fast. In Judaism, boys over
the age of thirteen years and girls over twelve years are adults.
Candles are lit to usher in the festival. The last meal before the fast
begins is a festive meal. After this, there is a special evening service in
the synagogue. Gold jewellery is not worn as this is a reminder of the sin
of the golden calf. This is the only evening service of the year in which
men put on a tallit.
People pray five times on Yom Kippur. In addition to the three daily
services there is mussaf after the morning service and a closing service
called Neilah (pr. ne’ilah).
A main feature of the services of the day is the confession, of which two
versions are read. During the recitation which is said in an undertone,
the members of the congregation strike the left side of their chest with
the right fist each time the phrase ‘we have sinned’ is said. There are
more than thirty verses that begin with this phrase.
RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H)
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