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288 Atonement, Day of

THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA

Attar, Itin

288

for expiation through capital or corporal punishment (Sank. vi. 2; Maimonides, ib.). " The Day of Atone-

hatred, ill-feeling, and all ignoble thoughts, seeks to be occupied exclusively with things spiritual. How-

ment absolves from

ever rigorously tke rabbinical law may insist on tke outward manifestation of contrition, tke corrective is provided for in the lessons from the Prophets (Isa. lviii. Jonah; see Ta'anit ii. 1), which teach that the true fast-day in which God delights is a spirit of deTke serious charvotion, kindliness, and penitence. acter impressed upon the day from the time of its institution has been preserved to the present day. No matter how much else has fallen into desuetude, so strong is its hold upon the Jewish conscience that no Jew, unless he have cut himself entirely loose from the synagogue, will fail to observe the Day of Atonement by resting from his daily pursuits and attending service in the synagogue. With a few

sins against a fellow

God, but not from unless tke pardon of the

sins against

man

offended person be secured " (Yoma viii. 9). Hence the custom of terminating on tke eve of the fastday all feuds and disputes (Yoma 8~u Maimonides, ib.ii. 9 etseq. ). Even tke souls of tke dead are included

community of those pardoned on the Day of Atonement. It is customary for children to have public mention made in the S3r nagogue of their departed parents, and to make charitable gifts on behalf of their souls (Shulhan 'Aruk, Orak Hayyim, 621, 6). But no amount of charity will avail the soul of a wicked man (Ture Zahab to Shulhan 'Aruk,

in the

Yorek Ds'ah,

249, note

5).

Jews Confessing Their

Sins in the



Prayer "Ashamnu" (From

in

New York

a

The service in the synagogue opens in the evening with the Kol-Nidre. The devotions during the day are continuous from morning until The evening. Much prominence is given Liturgy, to the liturgical pieces in which the Temple ceremonial is recounted ('Ano-

dah

service; Zunz, "Literaturgesch." pp. 27 et seq., "irD ("Crown of 64 et seq.). Ibn Gabirol's Royalty ") skilfully deals witk tke problem of sin it

nWD



appended to tke Sepkardic liturgy for tke evening and is also read by tke more devout in the Ashkenazic synagogues. In the center of the older " For we are not so liturgy is tke confession of sins. bold of face and stiff-necked as to say to Tkee, We are rigkteous and kave not sinned; but, of a truth,

exceptions, the service even of the Reformed synagogue is continuous through tke day. Critical "View The Pentateuchal references to the Day of Atonement cited in the preceding belong to the Priestly Code, but by no means to one and tke

service,

May it be Thy will that I sin are sinners. be pleased to purge away my past sins, according to Thy great mercy, only not through severe

we



chastisements. " The traditional melodies with their plaintive tones endeavor to give expression alike to tke individual's awe before the uncertainties of fate

On to a people's moan for its departed glories. the Day of Atonement the pious Jew becomes forgetful of the flesh and its wants, and, banishing and

Lev. xvi., which

same stratum.

is

entirely devoted

to the subject of the fast-day, is apparently composite

shown by the incongruity at the beAaron shall not enter the Holy of Holies at all times " (verse 2) he may, how-

in origin, as is

ginning



"

is

no more

(East Side) Synagogue.

a photograph by Maudelkern.)



Analysis of Sources,

ever, it

may be inferred, go in at

intervals.

(verses 3 el

stated

But the immediate sequel seq.

)

rather says



AVith such

and such ceremonies Aaron may go in only toward the end (verses 29-34) reference is made to the annual celebration of a Day of Atonement. Tke rabbinical

obviously harmonistic (see Rashi on yet there are dissenting voices (see Lev. R., § 21; Ex. R., § 38) which maintain that, while entering the Holy of Holies is obligatory on the Day of Atonement, the high priest may go in at all times provided he carry out the ceremonies preinterpretation

verses 2 et

Observe also the repetitions in verses 6 and hence the duplicated confession in the Mishnah,

scribed.

11«



is

seq.);