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Leviticus 23:27 - Yom Kippur: soul's purification day?

Leviticus 23:27 - ויקרא 23:27

Hebrew Text

אַךְ בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי הַזֶּה יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים הוּא מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם וְעִנִּיתֶם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be a holy gathering to you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.

Transliteration

Akh ba'asor la'khodesh hashvi'i hazeh Yom Hakipurim hu mikra-kodesh yihyeh lakhem ve'initem et-nafshoteikhem vehikravtem isheh la'Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

אַ֡ךְ בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר לַחֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֨י הַזֶּ֜ה י֧וֹם הַכִּפֻּרִ֣ים ה֗וּא מִֽקְרָא־קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃
אַ֡ךְ בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר לַחֹ֩דֶשׁ֩ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֨י הַזֶּ֜ה י֧וֹם הַכִּפֻּרִ֣ים ה֗וּא מִֽקְרָא־קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֥ם אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהֹוָֽה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Tenth Day of the Seventh Month

The verse (Vayikra 23:27) establishes Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, as occurring on the tenth day of Tishrei, the seventh month. Rashi explains that the term "הַשְּׁבִיעִי הַזֶּה" ("this seventh month") emphasizes that the sanctity of the month is determined by the current year's declaration of the new moon (Rosh Chodesh), ensuring the date aligns with the Jewish calendar's lunar cycle. This highlights the role of the Sanhedrin in maintaining the sanctity of time.

Yom HaKippurim: The Day of Atonement

The phrase "יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים" ("a day of atonement") signifies the unique spiritual opportunity for kaparah (atonement) granted on this day. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:7) teaches that Yom Kippur atones for sins between man and G-d, provided one repents sincerely. However, sins between man and his fellow require reconciliation before Yom Kippur.

Mikra Kodesh: A Holy Gathering

The term "מִקְרָא־קֹדֶשׁ" ("a holy gathering") denotes a sacred assembly. The Talmud (Megillah 23a) derives from this that communal prayer, including the recitation of the Torah, is essential on Yom Kippur. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:7) further explains that this day is set aside for spiritual elevation, separating from mundane affairs to focus on repentance and divine service.

Inuy Nefesh: Afflicting the Soul

The commandment "וְעִנִּיתֶם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם" ("you shall afflict your souls") refers to the five afflictions of Yom Kippur, as detailed in the Talmud (Yoma 73b):

  • Abstaining from eating and drinking
  • Refraining from washing
  • Not anointing with oils
  • Wearing no leather shoes
  • Abstaining from marital relations

Rashi notes that the term "נפש" ("soul") emphasizes that these afflictions are meant to humble the soul, not merely the body, facilitating introspection and repentance.

Korban Isheh: The Fire Offering

The verse concludes with "וְהִקְרַבְתֶּם אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה" ("and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord"). The Ramban explains that even though the Temple service is currently suspended, the spiritual essence of the korbanot (offerings) remains through prayer and repentance. The Mishnah (Yoma 8:9) teaches that sincere teshuvah (repentance) achieves atonement even without physical offerings, as the prophet Hosea (14:3) states: "We will offer the words of our lips instead of calves."

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yoma 74b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of Yom Kippur, particularly regarding the commandment to afflict one's soul (fasting).
📖 Megillah 31a
The verse is referenced in the discussion of the Torah readings for Yom Kippur.
📖 Rosh Hashanah 32a
The verse is cited in the discussion of the sanctity of Yom Kippur and its unique status among the festivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'afflict your souls' mean in Leviticus 23:27?
A: The phrase 'afflict your souls' refers to the five afflictions required on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement): fasting (no eating or drinking), not washing or anointing the body, not wearing leather shoes, not engaging in marital relations, and refraining from work. This is based on traditional Jewish interpretation found in the Talmud (Yoma 73b) and codified by Rambam (Hilchot Yom HaKippurim 1:1-5).
Q: Why is Yom Kippur on the 10th day of the 7th month?
A: The 10th of Tishrei (the 7th month) was designated as Yom Kippur because it marks the day when Moshe (Moses) descended from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets, signifying Hashem's forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf (Rashi on Leviticus 23:27, based on Talmudic sources). This date was established as an eternal day of atonement and spiritual renewal.
Q: What is the significance of bringing a fire offering on Yom Kippur?
A: The fire offering mentioned in this verse refers to the special korbanot (sacrifices) brought in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) on Yom Kippur, including the unique service of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). While we cannot bring sacrifices today, we maintain the spiritual aspects of these offerings through prayer, repentance, and charity (Rambam, Hilchot Teshuvah 1:3).
Q: How do we observe Yom Kippur today without the Temple?
A: Today we observe Yom Kippur through prayer (five services instead of the usual four), fasting, abstaining from physical pleasures, and focusing on teshuvah (repentance). The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 18a) teaches that even without the Temple, the day retains its power of atonement when accompanied by sincere repentance. The structure of our prayers follows the order of the ancient Temple service.
Q: Why is Yom Kippur called a 'holy gathering'?
A: Yom Kippur is called a 'mikra kodesh' (holy gathering) because it's a day when the entire Jewish people gathers together in synagogues for prayer and spiritual reflection. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 30:7) explains that this day is uniquely holy because it's the one day when Hashem's presence is most accessible to all Jews, regardless of their spiritual level.