By: David Parsons, Senior Vice President & Spokesman

Dear friends and prayer partners,

Tonight, Yom Kippur – the holiest day on the Jewish calendar – will begin. Across Israel, the streets will be empty of traffic and filled instead with white as Jewish men, women, and children don white garments in solemn observance of this special occasion.

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is a day of fasting, repentance, and deep reflection. It is a time to ask God’s forgiveness and to seek reconciliation with those we have wronged. The Hebrew word for repentance, תשובה (teshuvah), literally means “to return” or “to turn back”. The root of the word, שוב (shuv), means “to turn” or “to return”, carrying the powerful meaning of turning away from sin. What a profound way to begin the new year with a clean heart and a fresh slate.

The book of Leviticus offers insights into the meaning and observance of Yom Kippur: “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.” (Leviticus 16:29-31)

This year, as a colleague pointed out to me, the biblical date for Yom Kippur—the 10th day of the 7th month—seems to carry an added meaning in light of the brutal massacres on 10/7 last year. It is as though God is speaking directly to this nation, calling them not only to seek forgiveness but also to offer it. Yom Kippur is a day to turn the page and start anew. Especially this year, it is a day that calls for healing—the cleansing of wounds and unhealthy memories they have carried of the horrible acts which happened to so many in the towns and kibbutzim along the Gaza border last year.

Also of great importance to us as Christians, the Day of Atonement is not just an Old Testament tradition but a foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement through the Messiah, Yeshua. He is the fulfilment of what Yom Kippur points to—the perfect atonement for our sins, “offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). In Him, we find healing for our deepest hurts.

Yeshua is now our High Priest, accessible to us every day, not just on one holy day. Through Him, we can come boldly before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), knowing we will receive mercy and help in our time of need.

As we enter this sacred Day of Atonement, this “time of turning”, may it not only be our sins that turn from scarlet to snow white, but may our grief turn to gladness, and our mourning to dancing. May Israel find healing and restoration. And may we all experience God’s cleansing grace.

In His redeeming love!